Throughout the band's existence, the duo toured and recorded with a revolving door of musicians, and as of 2007, the band consisted of guitarists Mike Schey and Mark Buzard, bassist Don Raymond, drummer Adam Boyd, and its principal members, singer Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means. The band chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter "format" for a hit. Despite this critique of the music industry, the band's aptly-titled first single--"The First Single" (from their five-song debut EP on Western Tread)--became popular in the Southwest music scene. This success led to The Format's signing with Elektra Records in 2002. Their first major label release and full-length album Interventions and Lullabies was released in October 2003. However, Elektra began to fold into a merger just as the album was rolling out its promotion, leaving the band as merely an afterthought as label restructuring began. The band toured North America for about two years while making plans for a new album and waiting out industry red tape.
The Format released a second EP on Atlantic (which had absorbed much of Elektra's roster after the label folded) titled Snails in April 2005. Although the EP was not a conventional mass release, it could be purchased at any of the band's performances, from their online merch store, and on iTunes. Not long after the release of the Snails EP, The Format was dropped from Atlantic. Due to their frustrating experiences with major labels, the band chose to record and release their second full-length album Dog Problems independently on The Vanity Label. The July 11, 2006 release of Dog Problems came two months after the band released the album for download on their website, in a move to combat an early leak.
On February 4, 2008, The Format announced that they will putting the band on hiatus because of creative differences. Nate Ruess already has plans to release a solo album which is scheduled to come out later this year.
Nate Ruess, the band's singer and lyricist, left the following message on the band's website:
"We have just put out word that we will not be making a new Format album. Please understand this was a tough decision and we're both upset about it. While we accept there will be false speculation as to why, understand that Sam and I remain extremely close and in fact are still passing the twin peaks box set back and forth in an attempt to figure out who REALLY killed Laura Palmer. We also want to thank everyone with and within the Format, particularly Mike, Don, and Marko, whom without, none of this would have ever even been fully realized. We both suggest you support their musical talents and whatever they decide to do. And lastly we want to thank the fans who made this the best 5 years of our lives."
Ruess announced August 11, 2008 that he is starting a new project called fun. with Andrew Dost formerly of Anathallo and Jack Antonof of Steel Train.
The Vanity Label, an imprint of major label Nettwerk, is managed by the band.
Since the end of The Format, Sam has continued designing merchandise. He converted theformatmerch.com into hellomerch.com where he features his newest work.
On February 4, 2020, the band announced a return from their hiatus for a tour of special shows.
Matches
The Format Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some dust on the dash
I've got my cigarettes
But I can't find the fire
That's calming me down
I was just out on a night with my friends
You are still out on a night
And you don't seem to tire
When I'm not around
I'm under the tunnel
I'm holding my breath
I searched every pocket
That hung in the closet
'Til I found some matches
In a brown leather jacket
One I swore I've never worn
But it once kept you warm
Do you remember
We made love on the floor
And you still haven't called
So I'll wait 'til they're closing the bars
I made a wish
But the match never lit
The Format's song "Matches" is a song that speaks about finding comfort in the past through one's memories. The first few lines suggest a certain feeling of detachment, with the singer being unable to find the fire that calms him down despite having cigarettes. It paints a picture of someone feeling lost, in need of something to ground them.
The singer then talks about being out with friends while someone they love is also out with their own group of friends. They marvel at how this person doesn't seem to tire when they're not around. The line "I'm under the tunnel, I'm holding my breath" suggests a sense of tension or anxiety, perhaps at the thought of these two worlds colliding.
The second half of the song speaks about the singer's attempt to find solace in their memories. They search every pocket and find some matches in an old jacket, which brings back memories of a time when that jacket was used to keep someone they loved warm. They also reminisce about a time when they made love on the floor, which further highlights their longing for that person. The song concludes with the singer making a wish but the match never lighting, which can be interpreted in a number of ways, such as the possibility of their longing being unrequited.
Overall, "Matches" is a song that speaks to the human experience of longing for someone they love while finding comfort in memories of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Ashes to ashes
Starting the song by alluding to the phrase 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust', which is often used for funeral services. The implication here is that he is mourning the end of a relationship.
Some dust on the dash
While driving, he notices some dust accumulation on the dashboard of his vehicle. This detail paints a picture of the physical environment he is in.
I've got my cigarettes
Acknowledging that he has some cigarettes with him. This could be seen as a coping mechanism or distraction from his thoughts and feelings.
But I can't find the fire
Despite having cigarettes, he cannot find the motivation or energy to light them. This could signify a general lack of motivation or an inability to find comfort in usual habits.
That's calming me down
Imploring the idea that he is looking for something to soothe him or distract him from whatever internal turmoil he's experiencing.
I was just out on a night with my friends
Recalling a specific moment and setting the stage for his nostalgia. This line implies that he's reflecting on a past event that occurred while he was socializing with friends.
You are still out on a night with your friends
A contrasting line, he's acknowledging that whoever he's singing about is still living in the moment rather than reflecting on it like he is. This could hint at tension or disappointment.
And you don't seem to tire
Implying that whoever he is singing about is able to keep going and maintain a lively demeanor. This possibly could make him feel more isolated or disconnected from them.
When I'm not around
Stating that there are moments or situations where he's not present, and the person he's singing about is still able to have fun without him. This could imply that he's feeling left out or unimportant in their life.
I'm under the tunnel
Relating a physical location where he is. A tunnel is often dark with no clear route and can be suffocating, and uncomfortable. It reflects his current emotional state which is likely full of doubt or anxiety.
I'm holding my breath
Suggesting that he's in a state of anticipation, anxiety, or fear, and he's able to exercise some control over his emotions by holding his breath.
I searched every pocket
Describing his effort to find something. He's going through nowhere in order to find what he thinks he needs.
That hung in the closet
Elaborating on the specifics of where he's looking. This line further clarifies his search effort for something very important
'Til I found some matches
Revealing the outcome of his search. After going through all his pockets and whatever is hanging in the closet, he ultimately finds matches.
In a brown leather jacket
Giving specific detail of where the matches were located so that his story line can become more apparent.
One I swore I've never worn
Adding to the curiosity of the story narrative. He found something that he's sure he doesn't own, which could refer to the girl he's singing about.
But it once kept you warm
Implying that this item is linked to her. The jacket provided warmth and safety for the person in question, and perhaps, he's now feeling like a part of that safety is missing?
Do you remember
Addressing the girl directly with a question. This line sets up further into the story where he recalls a past event that happened between the two of them.
We made love on the floor
Recalling a specific intimate moment in their past. This memory he has has stayed with him emotionally and might have impacted him on a level that is difficult to get over.
And you still haven't called
Following up with explaining why he feels the way he does. The woman he's singing about has not contacted him, and he is likely feeling a little bit of disappointment because of it. He is still holding onto that hope for something more from their relationship.
So I'll wait 'til they're closing the bars
Indicating that he is willing to wait as long as it takes for the girl to contact him. By saying he's willing to wait for them to close the bar implies that he has no desire to go home or continue his night without hearing from her.
I made a wish
Putting out into the universe his desire by conjuring a wish. It could be seen as a manifestation of his feelings.
But the match never lit
This concludes the story line and the song title is now explained. Despite his effort to find the means to make things right between the two of them, it never quite ignites. The matches that he found are now a metaphor for his relationship with this girl - matches that never start a fire.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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