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.
Wait
The Format Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chorus) Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself. Don't breath, don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out.
When melody has nothing to hold, I'll be the last sound that you hear as your eyes close.
And these chords remain we'll use them to exploit the friends we've since forgot, those friends we've lost. You all know just who you are. Cause I've since made graves, but I'm too scared to etch the names for fear that I'm the one who's changed.
(Chorus)
The thought of death, it scares me to death and I don't know why, I don't know. Its just to much to never wake up.
(Chorus)
The Format's song Wait Wait Wait explores the theme of change, loss and death. The opening line, "the chords we play, ways left to communicate" implies that music is the only way the singer can express their emotions and communicate with others. They rely on the chords they've created to connect with their friends, even those they've lost touch with. The phrase "your head boards never felt so safe" suggests that the singer is seeking comfort from someone, possibly a lover or friend. The idea of reaching a grave with friends and killing the lights implies a shared, communal experience of death, highlighting the bond that death creates between people.
The chorus, "don't tell me when its coming...I just want to see it for myself" suggests that the singer wants to face the reality of death on their own, without anyone else's input. They want to experience the end without any preconceived notions, suggesting a fear of the unknown. The line "don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out" suggests that life and the music it creates will continue regardless of our individual experiences, highlighting the universal aspect of death.
Line by Line Meaning
The chords we play, ways left to communicate.
We use music as a means of communication, and there are still methods we have not yet explored.
The roads are paved with plans we made and your head boards never felt so safe.
We had a plan for our lives, but we found comfort in the people we surround ourselves with.
Well they'll reach our grave where you friends and I will kill the lights and hide, oh what a nice surprise.
The end is inevitable, and we will see it together. We will have a final moment of hiding in the dark before the lights go out.
Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself.
I want to experience the end on my own terms and not be told about it.
Don't breath, don't make a sound cause the song won't stop till the tape runs out.
We must hold our breath and stay silent because the end will not come until it is ready to.
When melody has nothing to hold, I'll be the last sound that you hear as your eyes close.
Even when everything else fades away, I will still be there with you as you pass on.
And these chords remain we'll use them to exploit the friends we've since forgot, those friends we've lost. You all know just who you are.
We will use music to remember the people who have left our lives, even if we have forgotten them.
Cause I've since made graves, but I'm too scared to etch the names for fear that I'm the one who's changed.
I have honored those who have passed, but I am afraid to label them because I am no longer the same person I was when they were alive.
The thought of death, it scares me to death and I don't know why, I don't know. Its just to much to never wake up.
The idea of dying is frightening, and I don't understand why. It's overwhelming to think that one day we will never wake up again.
Don't, don't tell me when its coming (no) don't, don't I just want to see it for myself.
Once again, I want to experience the end on my own terms and not be warned or told when it is coming.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cave bird
This album is/was so underrated. The lyrics, the sound, the vibe. It’s just all so easily relatable and positive. I love this album so much.
Isaiah Arana muisc
one day this song will be in movie and it will be famous and this comment section will be full of comments. this music too good to ignore it will be popular one day .this music just ahead of its time .
eden
The Red Eye Pioneers exactly!!!
vance wright
its on malcolm in the middle already
Daniel Ciabattoni
Great song. Fantastic album.
cristian orozco
Dang the nostalgia hits hard from when I was 13, 2020 and im 17 still listening
Kevin Davis
This album came out in 2003
cave bird
I got hooked in 2005. From my understanding you were 1 maybe 2? Lol
Clinton A!
I'm 20 again when I listen to this. I can't go back. It's a bummer.
electric pineapple
Fucking best format song! 2019 baby!!!