By the time they went to record their final album, 1998's Law of Ruins, Krautrock began to play a major role, and so did LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, who produced, engineered, and mixed the sessions, in addition to running the band's live sound. When the band broke up, Maclean's aggravated emotional state and long-term drug addiction took him low enough to provoke a move from New York to New Hampshire and a drastic change in lifestyle.
Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy, who were getting the DFA label off the ground, provoked Maclean to become interested in making music again. Using the name the Juan Maclean, Maclean took the sound of his defunct band to the dancefloor, retaining flashes of post-punk and '70s experimental electronics while grafting bits of early Euro-disco, electro, Detroit techno, and Chicago house. A handful of singles - including DFA highlights You Can't Have It Both Ways and Give Me Every Little Thing - led to 2005's Less Than Human, the first album credited to the Juan Maclean. Tito's Way was released as a single with remixes by Booka Shade and Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas.
More remixes of the first two singles and Love is in the air were included on the double promo album Visitations, released in the summer of 2006.
After two years touring and developing their live act, The juan Mclean returned with the disco odyssey Happy House and The simple life, both included on their second studio album The future will come released in April 09. Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem is featured predominantly throughout the new album.
A Simple Design
The Juan Maclean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hold on to all your rules
It can take years to fight movement
It can take years off you!
Out I've been good intentions
While nothing a waiting game
It's been 3 years of then holding the wrath,
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
When everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready
And everything you need falls to you!
If like to consider the measure
Measure the risk of reward
What makes you think they will love you?!
They just wanna love you more
Take up your sleep in giant
Wake up your terracell
They've let the path and you're well on your way
You'll FIGHT THIS TIME
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
And everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready,
And everything you need falls to you!
Falls to you, falls to you
It's all on you
Falls to you, falls to you ready
It's all on you
Falls to you, falls to you ready
That's all on you, ready
Falls to you, falls to you ready
That's all on you, ready
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
When everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready
And everything you need falls to you
"A Simple Design" by The Juan Maclean is a song that comments on the struggle of adhering to societal expectations and rules while trying to follow one's own true aspirations. The first verse highlights the effort and time it takes to conform to societal expectations and how doing so can take a toll on one's mental health. The second verse suggests that even with good intentions, trying to adhere to these rules can turn into a waiting game that feels wrong. The chorus repeats the idea that sometimes what we hope for and strive for is not a simple path but rather a headache, and that sometimes everything we have built comes crashing down. However, if we open our minds and embrace the unpredictability of life, we may find that what we need falls into our hands.
The song seems to suggest that there is a tension between playing it safe by conforming to societal expectations and living a truly fulfilling life that may not follow the traditional path. The lyrics caution against measuring the risk of reward, as that can lead to a fear-based mentality that prevents us from taking chances and living fully. Instead, the song encourages listeners to embrace the uncertainty of life and trust that everything they need will come to them.
Interestingly, the song features a prominent sample from the 1972 disco hit "Spacer" by French musician Sheila B. Devotion. The sample is used effectively to anchor the song in a disco groove while also adding a sense of nostalgia and retro flair. "A Simple Design" became a popular club hit and received critical acclaim upon its release in 2014.
Line by Line Meaning
T takes a lot of effort
It requires significant effort
To hold on to all your rules
To adhere strictly to all the set standards
It can take years to fight movement
It takes considerable time and energy to overcome change
It can take years off you!
The process can be exhausting and draining
Out I’ve been good intentions
Despite attempting to do the right thing
While nothing a waiting game
The results depend on waiting, not action
It’s been 3 years of then holding the wrath,
After three years, the anger still lingers
But holding on is something wrong
Continuing to cling onto the past is not healthy
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Repeatedly searching for something specific
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
It's not straightforward but rather complicated
When everything you've built comes falling down
When all the progress made is lost
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
If you're open to experiencing new and unpredictable things
When that's look for the time
When the right moment arrives
When that's ready
When you're prepared for it
And everything you need falls to you!
Everything you require comes to you effortlessly
If like to consider the measure
If you're interested in weighing your options
Measure the risk of reward
Determine if the potential gain is worth the possible loss
What makes you think they will love you?!
Why assume others will love and accept you?
They just wanna love you more
They desire to love and care for you incredibly
Take up your sleep in giant
Tackle significant challenges and obstacles
Wake up your terracell
Stir up your inner self and capability
They've let the path and you're well on your way
Others have paved the way for your success
You'll FIGHT THIS TIME
You will confront and overcome any challenges
Falls to you, falls to you
Everything comes to you, effortlessly
It's all on you
You're fully responsible for your life's outcomes
Falls to you, falls to you ready
Everything comes to you when you're ready
That's all on you, ready
You have to be willing and prepared for success
Writer(s): Millhiser Nicholas Alexander, Mac Lean John
Contributed by Ryan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bernardurizaorozco7539
It takes a lot of effort
To hold on to all your rules
It can take years to fight movement
It can take years off you!
Out I've been good intentions
While nothing a waiting game
It's been 3 years of then holding the wrath,
But holding on is something wrong
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
When everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready
and everything you need falls to you!
If like to consider the measure
Measure the risk of reward
What makes you think they will love you?!
They just wanna love you more
Take up your sleep in giant
Wake up your terracell
They've let the path and you're well on your way
You'll FIGHT THIS TIME
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
and everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready,
And everything you need falls to you!
Falls to you, falls to you
It's all on you
Falls to you, falls to you ready
It's all on you
Falls to you, falls to you ready
That's all on you, ready
Falls to you, falls to you ready
That's all on you, ready
Time after time, when what you're hoping to find
Is not a SIMPLE DESIGN, but a headache
When everything you've built comes falling down
But if you open your mind to a slippery life
When that's look for the time
When that's ready
And everything you need falls to you
@RobertoCarlosGamez
A freaking timeless masterpiece, every year it sounds absolutely fresh!
@gared007
I will never ever be able to get over the genius of the song and album. It's my absolute favourite of all time and I can't wait to see Juan at Primavera. I think I'll probably cry I love his music that much.
@michaelrandall4862
graeme eddolls Iv'e just watched this video and heard " a simple design" for the very first time and may I tell you that I am crying now! I cannot believe I have never heard of The Juan Maclean. WOW.
@DanieleMancino
graeme eddolls Saw them at Apolo during Primavera. Beautiful show.
@demetriouspeterson2372
I’m obsessed with this song
@RPI79
I am slightly obsessed with this song at the moment. It scratches that disco funk itch.
@jegerbims6471
Masterpiece
@Nico-ex7cg
Great tune
@LankyScotty
Absolutely fantastic band 👏
@jonathanarturo44
Qué rolototota!