Wanting to cut themselves off from their pasts, Mosshart and Hince considered their new project to be Year Zero in their careers, so they renamed themselves "VV" and "Hotel" respectively and began writing sparse, minimalist songs together with the aid of a drum machine. In 2001 they showcased their new songs on a well received demo tape. In true punk rock fashion, however, the pair shunned approaches from major record labels. Recording as VV and Hotel, they contributed the song "Restaurant Blouse" to the compilation If the Twenty-First Century Did Not Exist, It Would Be Necessary to Invent It. Shortly after this they recorded their debut release, the Black Rooster EP, which saw release on British indie label Domino Records and was picked up for distribution by Dim Mak Records in the United States.
Following international touring, they entered Toe Rag studios to record their debut album Keep on Your Mean Side, mostly on 8-track, in just 2 weeks.
Popular indie band, the xx, name The Kills as the major influence for having a male/female lead singer combo: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/05/xx.interview/index.html?iref=allsearch
Their second album, No Wow, was released by Domino records on February 21, 2005. Featuring an artier, less guitar rock sound, the record embraced New Wave and post punk influences and sounded even more stripped down than Keep on Your Mean Side. The first single, The Good Ones, was released on February 7, 2005 and reached number 23 in the UK singles charts.
VV sang the song Meds on Placebo's 2006 eponymous album.
Their third album Midnight Boom was released March 10, 2008. It was followed by 5 different singles since its release.
103
The Kills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You saved me, baby, from strange times
You catch me cooking in the kitchen looking in
To the fire
Lover, brother, baker, burnin' at the stake-er
Stick with me
Under the last palm tree
Meant to be, he sum of it all
Oh-oh-oh
Keep me on the tip of your tongue
Oh-oh-oh
It's 1-0-3 in the sun
You don't know what you got
Or what you want when LA's hot
It seems to make you so damn low
You don't know what you want
Or how to stop when LA's not
What you seen in me before
But I, I blame it on the sun
Yeah, I, I blame it on the sun
These nights we've been tearing
Are temporary but spit shines
Surfing the current on an 80 proof serpent
Your red eyes
Lover, brother, raider, hot rod-er
Souped up to the 9's
Sitting on blocks
And every elevator in the city
Says it's going up
When it's on the rocks
Oh-oh-oh
Keep me on the tip of your tongue
Oh-oh-oh
It's 1-0-3 in the sun
You don't know what you got
Or what you want when LA's hot
It seems to make you so damn slow
You don't know what you want
Or how to stop when LA's not
What you seen in me before
But I, I blame it on the sun
Yeah, I, I blame it on the sun
Yeah, I, I blame it on the sun
Yeah, I, I blame it on the sun
The lyrics of "103" by The Kills depict a tumultuous relationship in the backdrop of Los Angeles. The song opens with the singer expressing gratitude to their partner for saving them from difficult times in LA. The reference to cooking in the kitchen and looking into the fire suggests introspection and reflection on the challenges faced. The line "Lover, brother, baker, burnin' at the stake-er" implies that the singer feels a sense of sacrifice and vulnerability in the relationship. Despite the hardships, they want their partner to stick around, seeking solace under the last palm tree and hoping for a renewed connection by sharing water from a dirty fountain. The phrase "he sum of it all" suggests that this relationship is significant and encompasses everything for the singer.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Keep me on the tip of your tongue" and "1-0-3 in the sun," captures the heat and intensity of their experiences in Los Angeles. The singer feels that their partner doesn't fully understand what they have or what they want in the city's hot atmosphere, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment. The line "But I, I blame it on the sun" could be interpreted as the singer attributing their struggles in the relationship to the unforgiving nature of the city they are in.
The second verse reveals more about the couple's dynamic, describing their wild nights as temporary and fueled by alcohol. The reference to red eyes suggests fatigue, possibly from the intensity of their lifestyle. The singer refers to their partner as a lover, brother, raider, and hot-rod enthusiast, emphasizing their adventurous and reckless nature. The image of sitting on blocks and elevators going up when they are on the rocks adds another layer of instability and disconnectedness to their relationship.
Overall, "103" by The Kills depicts a complex and tumultuous relationship set against the backdrop of Los Angeles. It explores themes of sacrifice, hot and slow moments, and the blame placed on external factors like the sun for their struggles.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Alison Mosshart, Jamie Hince, Paul Epworth, Riley MacIntyre, Robert Adam Stevenson, Stuart White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LauraMLane
Last days in LA you saved me baby from
Strange times
You catch me cooking in the kitchen, looking in
To the fire
Love will probably bake the burning at the stake, a step with me
Under the last palm tree and
Sip a little water from the dirty fountain, this'll be
The sum of it all
Oh, oh, oh
Keep me on the tip of your tongue
Oh (oh) oh
It's 103 in the sun
You don't know what you got
Or what you want but LA's hotter
Since you made me so damn low
You don't know what you want
Or how to stop when LA's not
What you've seen in me before
But I, I
Blame it on the summer
Yeah I, I
Blame it on the summer
These nights we've been tearing are temporary, but
Spit shines
Surfing the current on an eighty-proof serpent, your
Red eyes
Love above the radar heart, riding soaked up to the nines
Sitting on blocks and
Every elevator in the city says it's going up
When it's on the rocks and
Oh (oh) oh
Keep me on the tip of your tongue
Oh (oh) oh
It's 103 in the sun
You don't know what you got
Or what you want but LA's hotter
Since you made me so damn low
You don't know what you want
Or how to stop when LA's not
What you've seen in me before
But I, I
Blame it on the summer
Yeah I, I
Blame it on the summer
Yeah I, I
Blame it on the summer
Yeah I, I
Blame it on the summer
@inomad
I missed you guys. It makes me happy to know you’re back. Please tour again.
@joeyharvey691
Almost nothing on earth better than a Kills' show
@seanmurphy6480
NEVER SEEN IT BUT...I GOT HIGH HOPES 🐜🪴
@MikaTamni
Beautiful. The Kills are pure love and it is amazing how they bring new flame with each new album for the past 20 years. ❤
@fredo_biggins
Beautifully said. This one is giving me major feels. Tingles.
@elisasantos7377
❤😮😅😂😢🎉❤❤❤❤❤
@chrisezelle
👍🏼♥️😎⭐️
@StevieWyatt
Currently obsessed with this track. Can't wait for the album
@vanguit1776
Makes me so happy they still are on the journey ! A new gem to count on their discography.
@Jimmy1982Playlists
My God, do I LOVE this band! 😍🤩🥰 Another brilliant visual from one of the best bands of all time... the new music promises that this album is gonna be something special!