Together they have crafted a sound that is equal parts anthemic, dancefloor-oriented and orchestral, borrowing elements from progressive rock, disco, electro, and psychedelia.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band started when Collás and Marquand, two New York underground club DJs, became restless with the concept of playing other people's music. Both had also been involved in the thriving nightlife scene, and had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of esoteric music ranging from Brazilian soul to vintage psych-rock, so becoming producers seemed to be the next logical step.
After working with a wide range of artists, from veteran soul acts to up-and-coming rock n' rollers, the duo set their sights on The Phenomenal Handclap Band, a supergroup comprised of various luminaries of the indie rock and underground soul scenes. The resulting self-titled debut is the harmonious culmination of numerous diverse musical backgrounds, as well as a testament to Collás’ and Marquand’s singular musical vision.
The album begins with the meditative strains of the epic "Journey to Serra da Estrela" which erupts into a driving synthesized force, and foreshadows the arrival of "Testimony", in which Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio) provides a fiery psychedelic guitar backdrop for Aurelio Valle's (Calla) voodoo incantations. Carol C (Sí Se) lends her considerable vocal talents to "You'll Disappear", a cosmic disco floor-filler that sets the stage for The Lady Tigra's (L'Trimm) jump-rope rhymes on the soon-to-be classic summer jam, "15 to 20".
Live, The Phenomenal Handclap Band is distilled to an eight-member powerhouse, an eye-popping spectacle that overwhelms the senses. It pulses with a savage rhythm section that provides the ultimate foil for cascading guitars and electrified washes of organ and synthesizers. Their delirious sermonizing whips crowds into a charismatic frenzy. Needless to say, their live shows are more akin to a spiritual church revival than an actual rock show.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band’s self-titled debut album is being released by the acclaimed Brooklyn indie label Friendly Fire Recordings on June 23, 2009.
Do What You Like
The Phenomenal Handclap Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La-la-la-la-like
Do it like you like, oh-oh-oh
La (hey), la-la-la-la-like
Woah-woah-woah-woah-want
Do it like you want
We don't need all this hurry
And our eyesight's getting so blurry
We can barely look around
Standing in the park as the sun is going down
There's turning in the street as the lights are coming on
Everything is tippy as a Sunday afternoon
It'll happen soon, it'll happen soon
Standing on the corner as the sun is going down
Standing there in order to see if the lights are on
Where everybody's leaving, where everybody's gone
Everybody's gone, everybody's gone
Don't worry if you're doing it wrong
Don't worry 'bout being too shy
Do what you're gonna make it alright
Make it all night, give it a try
Don't worry if your legs are too long
Don't worry if your pants are too tight
Just try it as you do it alright
Do it alright, do it all night
Do, do-do-do-do-do
La-la-la-la-like
Do it like you like, oh-oh-oh
La (hey), la-la-la-la-like
Woah-woah-woah-woah-want
Do what you want
When the daylight's gone
And the night rolls on
That's where we belong
Once the daylight's gone
And the night rolls on
We belong
Standing on the shore as the sun is going down
Staring at the ocean as the world is going on
Where everybody's leaving, where everybody's gone
Everybody's gone, everybody's gone
Sitting in the park as the sun is going down
Standing in the street as the lights are coming on
Everything is tipy as a Sunday afternoon
It'll happen soon, it'll happen soon
Don't worry if your legs are too long
Don't worry if your pants are too tight
Do what you're gonna make it alright
Make it all night, give it a try
Don't worry if you're doing it wrong
Don't worry 'bout being too shy
Just try it as you do it alright
Do it alright, do it all night
Do, do-do-do-do-do
La-la-la-la-like
Do it like you like, oh-oh-oh
La (hey), la-la-la-la-like
Woah-woah-woah-woah-want
Do it like you want
Do, do-do-do-do-do
La-la-la-la-like
Do it like you like, oh-oh-oh
La (hey), la-la-la-la-like
Woah-woah-woah-woah-want
Do what you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want (oh-oh-oh)
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want (oh-oh-oh)
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want (oh-oh-oh)
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
Do it like you want
The lyrics to The Phenomenal Handclap Band's "Do What You Like" encourage listeners to live life on their own terms, without worrying about conformity or judgment from others. The song emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and doing what makes one happy, regardless of societal norms or expectations. With lines like "Don't worry if you're doing it wrong" and "Don't worry 'bout being too shy," the song encourages self-expression and individuality.
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus add to its feel-good message, creating an overall optimistic and empowering tone. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a carefree world where people can let go of their worries and dance the night away. The imagery of a park at sunset and a shoreline at dusk evoke feelings of nostalgia and evoke a desire to live in the moment.
Overall, The Phenomenal Handclap Band's "Do What You Like" sends a positive message of self-love and individualism that is sure to resonate with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Do, do-do-do-do-do
Encouraging the listener to follow along and become engaged with the song.
La-la-la-la-like
Emphasizes the importance of doing what you like and enjoying it.
Do it like you like, oh-oh-oh
Urges the listener to be themselves and do what they enjoy without fear of judgment.
La (hey), la-la-la-la-like
Reiterates the message that doing what you like is important and that the listener should have fun with it.
Woah-woah-woah-woah-want
Encourages the listener to want what they like and pursue it without hesitation.
We don't need all this hurry
Calls for a slower pace of life and less emphasis on constantly rushing through it.
We should really slow it down
Encourages the listener to take a step back and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.
And our eyesight's getting so blurry
Suggests that life is moving too fast and we're losing focus on what really matters.
We can barely look around
Continues the idea that we're moving too fast to appreciate the world around us.
Standing in the park as the sun is going down
Sets the scene for a peaceful moment in nature, where time slows down and we can appreciate the beauty of the world.
There's turning in the street as the lights are coming on
Contrasts the tranquility of the park with the chaos of the city, where people are rushing around and life is moving quickly.
Everything is tippy as a Sunday afternoon
Describes a lazy, relaxed moment where time doesn't matter and everything feels carefree.
It'll happen soon, it'll happen soon
Suggests that even though life moves quickly, there are peaceful moments where we can slow down and appreciate it.
Standing on the corner as the sun is going down
Repeats the peaceful moment from earlier, emphasizing the importance of enjoying life's little moments.
Standing there in order to see if the lights are on
Reflects on the hustle and bustle of city life, where people are rushing around and always trying to get somewhere.
Where everybody's leaving, where everybody's gone
Suggests that even though people are rushing around, life goes on and we should take the time to enjoy it while we can.
Don't worry if you're doing it wrong
Reassures the listener that it's okay to make mistakes and encourages them to keep trying.
Don't worry 'bout being too shy
Encourages the listener to be themselves and not worry about being judged by others.
Do what you're gonna make it alright
Encourages the listener to follow their dreams and pursue what they love, knowing that it will all work out in the end.
Make it all night, give it a try
Further emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and encourages the listener to keep trying, even if things don't go perfectly.
Don't worry if your legs are too long
Reassures the listener that it's okay to be different and unique in their own way.
Don't worry if your pants are too tight
Further reinforces the idea that it's okay to be different and encourages the listener to embrace their individuality.
Just try it as you do it alright
Encourages the listener to take risks and try new things, even if they're unsure about it.
Do it alright, do it all night
Encourages the listener to keep doing what they love and to never give up on their dreams.
When the daylight's gone
Reflects on the end of the day and the contrast between day and night.
And the night rolls on
Emphasizes the importance of the night as a time to relax and enjoy life.
That's where we belong
Suggests that the night is a time where we can truly be ourselves and enjoy life in our own way.
Sitting in the park as the sun is going down
Repeats the scene from earlier, once again emphasizing the importance of peaceful moments in nature.
Staring at the ocean as the world is going on
Reflects on the beauty of the world and the importance of taking the time to appreciate it.
Do it like you want
Reinforces the central message of the song, encouraging the listener to do what they love and not worry about being judged by others.
Do it like you want (oh-oh-oh)
Continues to reinforce the central message of the song, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself.
Do it like you want
Repeats the message of the song one last time, encouraging the listener to always be true to themselves and do what they love.
Do it like you want (oh-oh-oh)
Emphasizes the importance of the message of the song and encourages the listener to never forget it.
Writer(s): Daniel Collas, Amy Heidemann, Juliet Scott Swango, Albin Hansson
Contributed by Jake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vince O.
Really wish they were more popular. Their music is so good. Its great to see they released a full new album since F&C. Really loving Riot too.
ThriveCoachingBe
Just LOVE it! I have played this every day for the past 6 months and can't get enough of this happy energized vibe! It brings me straight to a happy state of being
Luiz Carlos Junior
Amooo muito! 😍🕺💃🏻
Yaro
Totally in love with this band .
Andre Bravo
Amazing track!! Summer anthem 2020
VUEVEX LTD
80's style is back and doing great :) -well done
Alex Poulain
Amazing!! )) Почему у такой крутой музыки всегда так мало просмотров :-/
Aloisio Souza
Boa música! 🎶🎶🕺💃🇧🇷
procsico *
I wish there is a Club that plays this kind of music !!!
Throbbin Robin Funk & Soul
Wow these guys and gals are sharp!!! Putting one of their records on my digi funk n soul show on Friday maybe this too. if not, next time