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.
Seven Years of Letters
The Twilight Sad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
No, no, no
It takes a chance, a truth or dare
Is there a chance your lover be spared
If we say that we're running scared
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
You button, you button your lip
And there's a sense of doubt
When the roads are out
You say that you'll never be there
So you button, you button your lip
If you say go
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
We're on a hiding to nowhere
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
The Twilight Sad's "Seven Years of Letters" is a song that delves into the themes of uncertainty, fear, and unfulfilled desires. The opening lines suggest a hesitant partner, who is scared of taking the next step, and the singer understands that there is a possibility of them not meeting each other's expectations. The phrase "In the dress that you'll never wear" may signify the unrealized dreams of the partner, encapsulating the constant hopelessness and feeling of disillusionment that the singer is grappling with. Throughout the song, the theme of uncertainty and a reluctance to commit is emphasized.
The lines "It's the dance that we'll never share, and the alarms that you can't do without" creates a palpable sense of loss, never having been able to share their deepest feelings with each other. The chorus "We're on a hiding to nowhere" reinforces the feeling of not being able to progress, having reached a stalemate in their relationship. The repetition of "You button, you button your lip" further exemplifies the feeling of being unable to express oneself, almost like an act of surrender. The song encapsulates the feeling of constant struggle, the constant feeling of running away from something, while never being able to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
If you say go
If you decide to leave
There's a chance that we're running scared
There's a possibility that we're afraid of the consequences of your decision
When they say you'll never be there
When people tell you that you won't be able to follow through with your promises
In the dress that you'll never wear
In an item you will never use
It's a sorry affair
The situation is regrettable
We're on a hiding to nowhere
We're heading towards a pointless and unproductive direction
It's only right to swear
It's justified to make a promise
And they pray that I won't answer you back
They hope that I won't retaliate against your decision
It's the dance that we'll never share
It's the experience that we will never have together
And the alarms that you can't do without
And the things that you depend on too much
No, no, no
A negative response to an unknown question or statement
It takes a chance, a truth or dare
It requires a risk, a bold move
Is there a chance your lover be spared
Is it possible that your partner will be protected
If we say that we're running scared
If we admit that we're afraid
So you button, you button your lip
So you choose to be silent
And there's a sense of doubt
There's an uncertainty
When the roads are out
When there are no clear paths or solutions
You say that you'll never be there
You claim that you won't show up
We're on a hiding to nowhere
We're going in circles with no progress
So you button, you button your lip
So you keep quiet
We're on a hiding to nowhere
We're not making any significant progress
And they say that I won't answer you back
And they expect me not to respond to your decision
It's the dance that we'll never share
It's the experience that we won't have together
And the alarms that you can't do without
And the things that you rely on too much
We're running scared
We're afraid and in a state of panic
We're on a hiding to nowhere
We're making no progress in our situation
Contributed by Isabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
channelKERR
If you say go
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
And they pray that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
No, no, no
It takes a chance, a truth or dare
Is there a chance your lover be spared
If we say that we're running scared
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
You button, you button your lip
And there's a sense of doubt
When the roads are out
You say that you'll never be there
So you button, you button your lip
If you say go
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
We're on a hiding to nowhere
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
Natalie Robinson
One of my favourite TTS songs. I can’t be the only one who puts on a thick, male, Scottish accent to sing all of these songs despite being a tiny little woman from the midlands?
Brandon Rohe
in 10 years when the world enjoys good music we'll hear about these guys
ShaolinMonkey007
I found this song last night. Have listened to it about 20 times since. Awesome band.
l8rnwow
I love the song and the video! This is art!
Andymac29
I love this band !
ShortRound Mcfly
If you've ever been in a doomed long distance relationship, this song will speak volumes
channelKERR
If you say go
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
And they pray that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
No, no, no
It takes a chance, a truth or dare
Is there a chance your lover be spared
If we say that we're running scared
It's a sorry affair
We're on a hiding to nowhere
It's only right to swear
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
You button, you button your lip
And there's a sense of doubt
When the roads are out
You say that you'll never be there
So you button, you button your lip
If you say go
There's a chance that we're running scared
When they say you'll never be there
In the dress that you'll never wear
So you button, you button your lip
And you button, you button your lip
We're on a hiding to nowhere
And they say that I won't answer you back
It's the dance that we'll never share
And the alarms that you can't do without
We're running scared
We're on a hiding to nowhere
cecilia kanaan
I've been dreaming about this song for a long time...
Alex Nunez-Sindelar
The Scottish accent is the best thing that could've been introduced to the indie rock/post-punk genre.
Alex K
PERFECT!!!