The band started up by playing a couple of gigs at the 13th Note in Glasgow, creating half hour-long pieces of music using guitars, bass, drums, theremin, tape loops from films and old folk/country songs, effects pedals, toy keyboards, thumb pianos, saws, computer games, and a lot of noise, in an attempt to try and discover a sound they could call their own and continue to develop. After these two shows, they rejected many gig offers, and became a more reclusive unit, spending any spare time they had in the studio focused on writing and sculpting away at new material.
In September 2005, they produced a 4-song demo with a 24-track desk, trying to get the best representation as possible, sent it over to Brighton-based Fat Cat Records. Alex Knight, co-founder of the label, went to Glasgow to watch the band perform their third gig and signed them on the spot. In November 2006, they made their first official release with The Twilight Sad, a US-only EP that helped bring attention to the band, as well as performances at CMJ '06 and SXSW '07 Festivals.
Their debut album, Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters, was recorded over a short period of three days and featured the first songs the band had ever created. It received good critical reception from the independent music media and turned the band into a reference point for the up-and-coming scottish indie scene at the time. Where the band’s recorded sound is layered with many melodies, their live sound is a more intense experience which replaces the intricacies of the recordings with a more visceral wall of sound, which is something the band intended to do all along.
In June 2008, they released the Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did EP, which included off-the-cuff reworkings of songs from the debut album, alongside the title track and a cover of Daniel Johnston, an artist they've cited as one of their main influences. The idea came about after the band played at London's Union Chapel, a venue with noise restrictions that forced them to perform with a more basic line-up of a fan organ, glockenspiel and percussion. During this time, the band recruited Martin "Dok" Docherty (formerly of Aereogramme) to play keyboards and additional guitar during the live shows. At the end of 2008, they released Killed My Parents and Hit the Road, a compilation to help fund their tour with fellow scots Mogwai. It consisted of live recordings, acoustic tracks, previously unreleased material, new demos and covers, which included The Smiths, Joy Division and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Their second album, Forget The Night Ahead, was released in September 2009. For the recording process, the band disposed of their effect pedals and experimented with natural reverb using early krautrock techniques, like mic'ing up inside the studio walls and rooms on the other side of the building to get the drum sound. During this time, original bassist Craig Orzel left the band to pursue other projects. He was replaced in the live setting by Johnny Docherty of Take a Worm for a Walk Week. A year later the band released The Wrong Car EP that featured two b-sides from the 'Forget' sessions as well as remixes by fellow Scottish acts Mogwai and Errors.
The release of their third album No One Can Ever Know saw the band pursue a change in style, virtually eliminating delayed guitars and relying on vintage analog synthesizers instead. The album was recorded in February/March 2011 at The Pool studios in London and featured production assistance by Andrew Weatherall.
Cold Days from the Birdhouse
The Twilight Sad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Romantic gesture with ruined plans
And so you make it your own
But this is where your arm can't go
You make it your own
Another phone call with ruined plans
Romantic gesture with ruined plans
But this is where your arm can't go
You make it your own
But this is where your arm can't go
And your red sky at night won't follow me
It won't follow me now
I won't wear your shoes
And I won't clip your wings
I see it when you lied, we all look so surprised
And will you come back? Will you come back?
And breathing in smoke signs like a puppet told to drive
And will you come back? Will you come back?
And your red sky at night won't follow me
It won't follow me now
And your red sky at night won't follow me
It won't follow me now
And your red sky at night won't follow me
It won't follow me now
And your red sky at night won't follow me
You won't follow me now
And where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
And where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
So where are your manners?
The lyrics to The Twilight Sad's "Cold Days from the Birdhouse" suggest the frustration of trying to make a connection with someone who just can't seem to reciprocate. The singer of the song is dealing with both a failed romantic gesture and a ruined plan at a hotel, which has left them feeling alone and disconnected. They try to make the situation their own but realize there are limits to what they can do. The metaphor of the arm not being able to go to a certain point suggests that there is only so far they can extend themselves to try and connect with this person who remains distant.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the divide between the singer and this other person, with the "red sky at night" suggesting a time of beauty and peace that can't be shared between them. The singer refuses to "wear your shoes" or "clip your wings", suggesting that they won't try to change themselves or limit themselves to try and make a connection. The lyrics suggest a sense of hurt and betrayal, with the singer feeling lied to and surprised by the other person's actions.
The repetition of "Where are your manners?" at the end of the song suggests a frustration with the other person's behavior and a desire for them to act in a more respectful way. The song ends with a sense of unresolved tension, with the singer still seeking connection but unable to achieve it with this particular person.
Line by Line Meaning
Another hotel with ruined plans
A previously planned romantic gesture ruined due to another hotel booking.
And so you make it your own
You attempt to recreate the ruined romantic gesture, but with your own twist.
But this is where your arm can't go
However, there are limitations to what you can do to make up for the disappointment.
Another phone call with ruined plans
A similar romantic gesture planned over the phone doesn't work out as expected.
And your red sky at night won't follow me
Your positive outlook and hopeful spirit can't be shared with me.
It won't follow me now
And this barrier persists between us.
I won't wear your shoes
I won't take on the same attitude or perspective as you.
And I won't clip your wings
I won't hold you back or hinder your freedom.
I see it when you lied, we all look so surprised
When you deceived us, we expressed our shock and disappointment.
And will you come back? Will you come back?
But despite this, we are still wondering if you will return to us.
And breathing in smoke signs like a puppet told to drive
We take in hints and indicators, like a puppet receiving commands, to try to move forward.
So where are your manners?
We are frustrated with your lack of consideration and decency.
And where are your manners?
We continue to question your behavior and choices.
So where are your manners?
These repeated questions are a plea for you to act with respect and accountability.
And where are your manners?
We need you to take responsibility for your actions and make amends.
So where are your manners?
You continue to disappoint and upset us with your behavior.
And where are your manners?
We need you to treat us and the situation with the consideration we deserve.
So where are your manners?
Our repeated pleas reveal our desperation for you to show basic manners and respect.
So where are your manners?
We hope that, by continuously asking, we can encourage you to change your behavior for the better.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew James MacFarlane, Craig Orzel, James Graham, Mark Gerard Devine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sara Meakins
This band has my soul
Hugh Wyman
This is great... but I'll always love when I saw them back in 07 and the whole intro was this beautiful singing over a stream of guitar noise...
eric brown
love this band
Matt Jammy
Phenomenal band!
Stephen K
This song, and amazing band, in the most wonderful way, has a Kitchens of Distinction feel. At least I think.
Myelin Island
One of my all-time favorites
Bismuth Crystal
I suck up every live performance by this, my favorite band, I can get. I still haven't had the chance to see them live and that is a giant gap in my life. I need them to come to my part of the US so bad. If not, I will be planning a trip to Scotland around them at some point.
parkeyfinn
Bismuth Crystal I hope you saw them on their most recent tour! If not, I just came from the US to Europe for a while and I plan on going to my 3rd show while I’m in here when they hit London later!
Amir Emami
They are a true experience live - he is so invested in the songs and their meanings that he has pushed himself to crying at every one of the four gigs I've seen them at. And you can tell it's not just an act.
Sara Meakins
Same,I'm in Australia and I'll follow till the end of the earth if I have to