After their initial formation in 2008, their debut album "Passive Me, Aggressive You" was released on the "Somewhat Damaged" label during September 2010. The single "Young Blood" debuted at number one on the New Zealand chart - the first New Zealand artist to do so in three years. On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that The Naked and Famous had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.
Their second album, 2013's In Rolling Waves, reached the top 5 on the New Zealand Albums chart, and top 15 on the Australian Albums and US Billboard Top Alternative Albums charts. Their following album, Simple Forms, was Xayalith and Powers' first release as a two-piece. Their fourth album, Recover, was released in 2020, and peaked at 19 on RMNZ's New Zealand Artist Albums chart.
Death
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In moments of despair?
When the world looks temporary
Built to be repaired (built to be repaired)
And we both like the idea of
A checkered kitchen floor (checkered kitchen floor)
And dying by the ocean side
Maybe there's nothing more?
That we see each other
There will be a last, there will be a last time
You, you, you, you
Slow dance with me to every heartbeat (to every heartbeat)
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
And I just can't, can't decide
Which is worse
The thought that you or I might go first?
And we both like the idea of
A checkered kitchen floor (checkered kitchen floor)
And dying by the ocean side
Maybe there's nothing more?
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
There will be a last, there will be a last time
You, you, you, you
Slow dance with me to every heartbeat (to every heartbeat)
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (Ttan having to believe)
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (than having to believe)
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
There will be a last, there will be a last time
You, you, you, you
Slow dance with me to every heartbeat (to every heartbeat)
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (than having to believe)
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (than having to believe)
'Lieve, 'lieve, 'lieve
The Naked and Famous's "Death" is a haunting reflection on the temporary nature of life and the eventual reality of death. The lyrics open with a sense of desperation as the songwriter questions whether there is someone they can rely on in times of despair. This search for comfort is juxtaposed with the recognition that everything in life is temporary and built to be repaired. The idea of a checkered kitchen floor and dying by the ocean side are presented as comforting possibilities, perhaps suggesting that they are the things that make life feel most real.
The chorus repeats the phrase "there will be a last time that we see each other," hinting at the inevitability of death and the anxiety it creates. The lyrics suggest a worry about which of them might go first, and the idea that the other will be left alone. The repeated call for a slow dance to every heartbeat has a sense of urgency that underscores the fleeting nature of life.
The song ends with the recognition that life will go on even after they are gone, with the party continuing without them. The lyrics may suggest that it is better to know that life will continue than to believe that it won't, though the repetition of the phrase "than having to believe" suggests that this is a difficult concept to fully accept.
Some possible interpretations of this song could be that it is a meditation on the inevitability of death, the search for comfort in life, or the recognition that everything is temporary.
Line by Line Meaning
Could you be someone I could cling to
In moments of despair?
Do you think you could be there for me when I need someone the most?
When the world looks temporary
Built to be repaired (built to be repaired)
Sometimes life feels like it's fleeting and easily damaged, but we can always fix it.
And we both like the idea of
A checkered kitchen floor (checkered kitchen floor)
And dying by the ocean side
Maybe there's nothing more?
We share a love of simple things and finding beauty in nature, even in our final moments.
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
There will be a last, there will be a last time
You, you, you, you
Slow dance with me to every heartbeat (to every heartbeat)
There will come a time when we won't be able to see each other anymore, so let's cherish every moment we have and live in the present.
And I just can't, can't decide
Which is worse
The thought that you or I might go first?
I can't bear the thought of losing you, and I don't want to think about which one of us will go first.
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (than having to believe)
Life will go on without us, but it's comforting to know that we were able to experience it together while we could.
There will be a last, there will be a last time
That we see each other
There will be a last, there will be a last time
You, you, you, you
Slow dance with me to every heartbeat (to every heartbeat)
There will come a time when we won't be able to see each other anymore, so let's cherish every moment we have and live in the present.
The party will still be going (the party will still be going)
But we have to leave (but we have to leave)
I think it's better knowing (I think it's better knowing)
Than having to believe (than having to believe)
Life will go on without us, but it's comforting to know that we were able to experience it together while we could.
'Lieve, 'lieve, 'lieve
Repetitive sounds that add emphasis to the song's final message of cherishing life and the people we share it with.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALISA XAYALITH, NATALIE LOUISE ANGIULI, SIMON OSCROFT, THOMAS POWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Indigo Air
My mother is expected to pass away from cancer pretty much any day now so listening to this song really makes me think of my parents. I'm sure neither of them thought they would have to face this day for years to come. My parents don't talk about stuff like this especially not to me, but it's obviously an incredibly difficult time for both of them.
Brandon Holt
God I love this band.
Holly W.
Me too!
believe0the0pretendr
"Slow dance with me to every heartbeat" that line and the melody that accompanies it is straight 🔥🔥🔥
Anthony
Omggg!!! I know right? I get so many feels every time I hear it. Nothing beats that it's just pure perfection!!!
amnotu777
Even after just one listen, this is easily one of my favorite TNAF songs ever! I often find myself thinking this type of stuff allll the time! Like I'll be watching a movie and I'll wonder "What will the last movie I ever watch be?" There IS an answer to that question. Or I'll get into my familiar car to drive somewhere, and wonder "What will be the last car I ever own? Is this it?? Where will the last place I ever go be??" Or I'll be hanging out with friends, and I'll wonder "Who will be the first to die; and next after that; who will be last and grieve all of us??" There IS an answer to that question! It's super morbid, but it's floating around in all our heads here and there. I love you guys so very very much! (Also, you're both sooo super pretty!!)
Thiago Amormino
You are doing a great use of colors in this new "era". Every new release it's such a great surprise!!! I'll use this as a reference for my future paintings.
Anilom Russ
I kinda thought some of the newer bands were using these retro shades and combinations in a fun way. Similar tone use seems to circle back around over time.
Gabriela South
Always love music that really makes you feel and think. tnaf is really something else, cant wait to see what else they got in store
Rima
I can't put into words how much I LOVE this band ❤️ Only a top tier band is able to bring out so many emotions out of one person