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.
Well-Rehearsed
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
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This love so well-rehearsed
Future proof (Future proof, future proof, future proof)
Emptily, we nurse
Back to poor health (Back to poor health, back to poor health)
This love so well-rehearsed
If we dress it down (If we dress it down, dress it down)
We can make it work
Find a cause, patch it up and we'll make do
In exchange for a life a little closer
To truth
All I know
Disappears like lightning
When there's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
What if I let go lightly? (What if I let go lightly?)
This bad form (Bad form, bad form)
Not so easily reversed
Picture perfect (Picture perfect, picture perfect)
This love so well-rehearsed
Just practice, practice and practice
Muscle memory
But we're faithful (But we're faithful, we're faithful)
And engineered to bleed
We are more than a world convinced of its worth
And we're dabbling down just to show that it works
If it hurts, it must be real
If it hurts, it must be real
All I know
Disappears like lightning (Disappears like lightning)
There's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
What if I let go lightly? (What if I let go lightly?)
(What if I let go lightly, what if I let go lightly?
What if I let go, what if I let go?
What if I let go, what if I let go?)
All I know
Disappears like lightning (Disappears like lightning)
When there's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
It's a little frightening (It's a little frightening)
All I know (All I know)
Disappears like lightning (Disappears like lightning)
When there's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
What if I let go lightly? (What if I let go lightly?)
The lyrics to "Well-Rehearsed" by The Naked and Famous delve into the complexities of a love that has become routine and predictable. The repetition of phrases like "nothing new" and "well-rehearsed" suggests that the relationship has lost its spark and excitement. The line "future proof, emptily, we nurse" hints at a feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction in trying to sustain something that has become stagnant.
The singer acknowledges that the relationship is not in a good state of health, metaphorically referring to it as being "back to poor health." They suggest that if they strip away the superficial aspects of their love and take a more simplistic approach, they might be able to make it work. However, the repetition of phrases like "call the doctor" and "patch it up" implies that these efforts to salvage the relationship may just be temporary fixes.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of seeking truth and authenticity in love. The singer wonders if letting go lightly, releasing their grip on the rehearsed and artificial aspects of their relationship, will lead them to a deeper understanding of themselves and their connection. The line "if it hurts, it must be real" suggests that they are willing to endure pain and discomfort in order to find genuine love and fulfillment.
In summary, "Well-Rehearsed" explores the dynamics of a love that has lost its spontaneity and passion. The lyrics suggest a longing for a more authentic connection and a questioning of whether holding on or letting go will bring them closer to the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing new (Nothing new, new)
There is nothing fresh or novel in this relationship
This love so well-rehearsed
Our love has become routine and predictable
Future proof (Future proof, future proof, future proof)
We try to make our love immune to changes in the future
Emptily, we nurse
We continue to care for this love, even though it feels empty inside
Back to poor health (Back to poor health, back to poor health)
Our love keeps returning to a state of unhappiness
If we dress it down (If we dress it down, dress it down)
If we simplify and tone down our love, it might still work
We can make it work
We have the potential to make our love function
Call the doctor, there must be something we can do
Seek help, there should be a solution to fix our relationship
Find a cause, patch it up and we'll make do
Identify the problem, fix it temporarily, and we will manage
In exchange for a life a little closer to truth
In return for a more truthful and authentic existence
All I know Disappears like lightning
All my knowledge and understanding vanish quickly
When there's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
When I feel trapped and have no options, that's when I learn
What if I let go lightly? (What if I let go lightly?)
What if I release my attachment gently and without resistance?
This bad form (Bad form, bad form)
This behavior or situation is unacceptable
Not so easily reversed
It's not simple to undo or change this situation
Picture perfect (Picture perfect, picture perfect)
Our love appears flawless and ideal
Just practice, practice and practice Muscle memory
We continuously rehearse and repeat our actions, it becomes automatic
But we're faithful (But we're faithful, we're faithful)
Despite the challenges, we remain loyal and committed
And engineered to bleed
We are designed to experience pain and vulnerability
We are more than a world convinced of its worth
We transcend societal standards and beliefs about our value
And we're dabbling down just to show that it works
We invest deeply to prove that our love is functional
If it hurts, it must be real
If our love causes pain, it validates its authenticity
When there's nowhere to go (Only one way to learn)
When I feel trapped and have no options, that's when I learn
It's a little frightening (It's a little frightening)
It can be scary and unsettling
All I know (All I know)
My entire understanding and knowledge
It's a little frightening (It's a little frightening)
It can be scary and unsettling
What if I let go lightly? (What if I let go lightly?)
What if I release my attachment gently and without resistance?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alisa Xayalith, Luna Shadows, Thomas Powers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind