The band released their first EP, I'm Sorry... in January 2013, where their single Sweater Weather reached #1 in the U.S. Alternative Tracks and #8 on the U.S. Rock Tracks and #33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted at #68 in Canada. Their first album, I Love You. was released on April 23, 2013.
In early 2012 a mysterious band appeared online. The group, The Neighbourhood, revealed no biographical information, no photos and no backstory, offering only a moody track titled "Female Robbery." Fans and the press were confounded, scouring the Internet for any information that might lead them to the identity of these musicians. Pieces of the puzzle, some reflecting reality and some not so much, began to emerge. The Neighbourhood were a quintet. They were from California despite the British spelling of their name. They had a second track, "Sweater Weather," which had an accompanying -- and equally dark -- video.
Although The Neighbourhood's identity remained hazy, it became clear that the music they were making felt transformative to critics and fans alike. The evocative combination of rock instruments with R&B and hip-hop aesthetics seemed, in many ways, revelatory, a reimagining of sounds that seemed to make people clamour for more information with even greater fervour. In April, BBC Radio One DJ Zane Lowe, an early champion of the group, let it slip that The Neighbourhood was the handiwork of musician Jesse Rutherford, a resident of Newbury Park, CA. By early May, as the band unveiled a free, self-released EP titled "I'm Sorry," it became understood that the identity of this young band was, ultimately, secondary to the music itself.
So who is The Neighbourhood? In essence, the group, which was formed in August 2011, is a collection of five friends who make music together. They're headed by Rutherford, a 21-year-old singer who has dabbled in various genres, including hip-hop, before crafting the merge of sounds that categorizes The Neighbourhood's style. Their debut EP was produced by Justyn Pilbrow, who brought Emile Haynie on board to collaborate on "Female Robbery." The EP, recorded at the end of last year, is composed of shadowy, emotional music with visuals to match. And it's all part of the band's master plan.
"I always have a strong vision before I go into anything," Rutherford says. "I don't know how to make music any other way. It was all in my head, and that vision for the music was to make hip-hop beats with guitars and I was going to sing and rap over them. We wanted to do that hip-hop aesthetic on an indie platform."
"I'm Sorry," a five-song disc, is a precursor to the band's debut album, which is also being produced by Pilbrow and Haynie. The album, expected out in March 2013, will expand the group's moody sensibility, which pairs brooding layers of instrumentals with Rutherford's hip-hop-inspired croon. The style, which the band has dubbed "black and white" due to its confident inspirations, is based largely on rhythm, as evidenced by the EP. "When I started in music I started doing drums and then I started doing vocals," Rutherford explains. "And then I combined the two together because to me rapping is just rhythmic vocals. I think the rhythm of hip-hop is really what got me into it. It's not just words being said; it's about how the words are said."
In the end, all you need to know about The Neighbourhood is in that music and in those words. There are more facts, more pieces of the puzzle, more information to unveil. But what's the fun in being given the full picture when you can slowly discover it for yourself? It's better to leave some mystery lingering. Because, after all, it's that unknowing that brought The Neighbourhood to people's attention to begin with.
T$RL
The Neighbourhood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am black and white, everybody else just fakes it
Everybody else so basic, stop tryinโฒ please stay home
We don't need another band in the grey zone
Yeah, I think we need change like a payphone
True story real life, mama said Iโฒd be a rockstar
But rock n' roll is dead mama
It's not long before the blogs are
If you need me, you know where Iโฒll be
Man I'm either on the road or flying overseas
I got a bunch of little girls crying over me
True story real life, yeah, we got signed to a label
And we infected the internet
We started playinโฒ on the radio
Do you really think we could say no
With these million dollar checks on the table
We were workin' at the mall on the payroll
And now itโฒs gettin' kinda hard just to lay low
Yeah, true story real life, the only guardian I have is me
Iโฒll kill myself with a pitchfork
And I'm my own worst enemy
And when I die leave me in these streets
And I want pigeons flyin' over me
And Iโฒm a vision to this whole thing
So I donโฒt care if you don't got any hope for me
True story real life, yeah, I could use a little help
And Iโฒm talkin' bout girls like I got โฒem but I don't
Iโฒm upset with myself
Man I wish I could have sex with myself
That would solve all of my issues
You were crazy, but I miss you
Now I'm alone with a box full of tissues
True story real life, I don't feel like we made it
Didnโฒt mean to be a mystery
And we just didnโฒt wanna say shit
Now we're a little bit famous
And I think I might hate it
I could give a mothafuck about a plaque with double platinum
Looks good when itโฒs next to white and black
The lyrics to The Neighbourhood's "T$RL" delve into the band's candid thoughts and experiences, reflecting on their journey in the music industry and grappling with their identity. The opening lines emphasize their authenticity, stating that they are "black and white" while highlighting the insincerity of others who pretend to be something they are not. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as they express their need for change and their dissatisfaction with the current state of music.
The lyrics also touch upon the band's rise to fame, acknowledging the impact they made on the internet and radio. However, they express mixed feelings about their success, feeling conflicted about leaving behind their humble beginnings and finding it difficult to adjust to their newfound fame. They also reveal their inner struggles, feeling alone and wrestling with their own demons.
Throughout the song, there is an undercurrent of disillusionment and a longing for something more genuine and meaningful. The band members express their dissatisfaction with superficial measures of success, dismissing the significance of receiving platinum plaques and emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself.
Overall, "T$RL" showcases The Neighbourhood's introspection and their desire for authenticity, highlighting the complexities of their journey in the music industry and their struggle to find inner fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah (yeah), true story real life, first let me say this
Yes, in real life, this is a true story and let me start by expressing this
I am black and white, everybody else just fakes it
I am authentic and genuine, while everyone else pretends to be something they are not
Everybody else so basic, stop tryin' please stay home
Everyone else is unoriginal, so they should stop trying and stay away
We don't need another band in the grey zone
We don't need another mediocre or average band
Yeah, I think we need change like a payphone
Yes, I believe we need significant change, just like the change you get from a payphone
True story real life, mama said I'd be a rockstar
This is a true story from real life, my mother believed I would become a rockstar
But rock n' roll is dead mama
However, rock n' roll is no longer popular or relevant, mother
It's not long before the blogs are
Soon, the blogs will be talking about us
Until then I'll be a blogstar
Until that happens, I'll gather attention and fame through blogging
If you need me, you know where I'll be
If you require my presence, you already know where to find me
Man I'm either on the road or flying overseas
I am constantly traveling, either on tour or going abroad
I got a bunch of little girls crying over me
There are many young girls who are infatuated and emotional about me
True story real life, yeah, we got signed to a label
This is a true story from real life, yes, we were signed by a record label
And we infected the internet
Our presence and influence spread widely on the internet
We started playin' on the radio
Our music began to be played on the radio
Do you really think we could say no
Can you honestly believe that we would reject such an opportunity
With these million dollar checks on the table
Considering the significant financial rewards being offered
We were workin' at the mall on the payroll
We used to work at the mall as employees
And now it's gettin' kinda hard just to lay low
Currently, it's becoming quite challenging to maintain a low profile
Yeah, true story real life, the only guardian I have is me
Yes, in real life, the only person I can rely on is myself
I'll kill myself with a pitchfork
I will self-destruct or harm myself metaphorically
And I'm my own worst enemy
I am my own biggest obstacle or source of harm
And when I die leave me in these streets
When I pass away, let my body remain in these streets
And I want pigeons flyin' over me
I desire pigeons to be soaring above my resting place
And I'm a vision to this whole thing
I have a unique perspective on the entirety of this situation
So I don't care if you don't got any hope for me
Therefore, I am unbothered if you lack belief or optimism towards me
True story real life, yeah, I could use a little help
This is a true story from real life, yes, I could benefit from some assistance
And I'm talkin' bout girls like I got 'em but I don't
I speak about having girls or romantic encounters, but in reality, I do not have them
I'm upset with myself
I am frustrated or disappointed in my own actions or behavior
Man I wish I could have sex with myself
I deeply desire to engage in sexual activity with myself
That would solve all of my issues
If that were possible, it would resolve all of my problems
You were crazy, but I miss you
You were unstable or irrational, yet I long for your presence
Now I'm alone with a box full of tissues
Now, I find myself alone, accompanied only by a box filled with tissues
True story real life, I don't feel like we made it
This is a true story from real life, I do not feel like we have achieved success
Didn't mean to be a mystery
We did not intend to be an enigma or puzzle
And we just didn't wanna say shit
And we simply did not want to reveal or disclose anything
Now we're a little bit famous
Now, we have gained a small level of fame
And I think I might hate it
And I believe I might despise or strongly dislike it
I could give a mothafuck about a plaque with double platinum
I could not care less about a record certification indicating double platinum sales
Looks good when it's next to white and black
It appears impressive or visually appealing when placed alongside contrasting colors like white and black
Writer(s): Jesse Rutherford, Zachary Abels, Mike Margott, Jeremy Freedman, Cecil Bernardy, Jonathan Dorr
Contributed by Isabelle L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chloe Naughton
on West Coast
I don't know if I'm right or not, but I feel like when they sing "If the sun was God, I'd be covered in faith, If the ocean was the Devil, I'd be covered in hate", it means more than he's got a tan and swims in the ocean a lot. But I can't put my finger on what it could mean...