The band's debut album was entitled Belongs to the Dead; and was released on Summersteps Records in 2006. The website AbsolutePunk gave their debut record a generally positive review, noting that "Tigers Jaw is fueled by emotionally-driven lyrics brought to life by vocalist Adam McIlwee, whose voice is one of those that reveal passion while at the same time giving the impression that he's barely trying." A self-titled album followed in 2008; which was released through Prison Jazz Records. Between their second and third albums, the band released an EP, Spirit Desire, via Tiny Engines; as well as a split seven-inch with Balance and Composure. Their third album, Two Worlds, was released on Run For Cover Records in 2010.
From 2010 to 2013, the band partook in several split releases and EPs. This included two acoustic releases for the Run For Cover Acoustic Series (both 2010), a split with The Sidekicks (2011), a seven-inch with two new songs, "Gypsy" and "Jimmy Piersall" (2011); a split with Tiny Empires (2011) and a four-way split release with Code Orange Kids, The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die and Self Defense Family. A seven-inch with two new songs, "Hum" and "Cool," was released in 2013.
On March 21, 2013, Collins made an announcement on the band's Tumblr: "After our show in Scranton two weeks ago, Adam, Pat, and Dennis let Ben and I know that for personal reasons they are unable to do Tigers Jaw anymore." Members of Basement filled in for former members of Tigers Jaw during their 2013 UK tour. The band released their fourth studio album, Charmer, in May 2014, though they are not broken up, it is the final album to feature McIlwee, Mishko and Brier.
Since McIlwee's departure from the band he has lead onto solo-recording act Wicca Phase Springs Eternal joining Gothboiclique in 2012, he has also released music with his group Misery Club started in 2018.
Between Your Band and the Other Band
Tigers Jaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
losing touch
maybe i loved you but yr too much
will i see you again
yr prominent
i'm serious
there's confidence
and every time you talk, well i love everything you say
everything we try to start there's something in the way
i'll pass it off
well it costs dollars to write this song
for gas money and a ride home
well i've thought it through and i'm better now
for such a long time
step down
knowing that yr so close only hangs me up again
suffice to say the price i pay won't matter in the end
this is something i can't even talk about with friends
i'll pass it off
i've never been awake before the some comes up
well i could never worry about you enough
everything i say is obvious
i'm nothing good
i'm death to us
well i get caught up in these routines
the time i get home
the way i seem
and these songs i write
they aren't me
i'm terrible
i'm inbetween
The song is a contemplation of lost friendships/relationships and the singer's struggle to keep up with them. The first verse talks about losing touch with friends and a potential lover who was "too much." The second verse has the singer hoping that showing confidence would make that person stay, but they are constantly hindered by something. They have realized that it costs emotional and mental energy to maintain these relationships (represented by the line "well it costs dollars to write this song") and that in the end, it may not matter anyway. The third verse has the singer admitting that they have not been the best friend/partner and they get caught in their own routines. There is a sense of self-awareness throughout the song as the singer acknowledges their own shortcomings but still struggles to make things work.
One could interpret the title "Between Your Band And The Other Band" as a metaphor for the singer being caught between two groups of people or two sides of an argument. The song captures the feeling of being stuck in the middle and unable to fully connect with either side. The repeated line "i'll pass it off" may be an indication of the singer trying to shrug off the weight of their emotions and put on a facade of being okay.
Line by Line Meaning
missing all my friends
Feeling nostalgic and longing for people who were a big part of my life but are no longer around
losing touch
Becoming disconnected from people I used to be close with and feeling sad about it
maybe i loved you but yr too much
Wondering if I was actually in love with someone, but realizing they were too difficult to deal with
will i see you again
Questioning whether or not I'll ever have the chance to reconnect with the people I miss
yr prominent
Acknowledging that this person is important and has an impact on my thoughts and feelings
i'm serious
Being sincere and genuine about my emotions and concerns
there's confidence
Feeling optimistic that things will work out in the end
hoping showing confidence is going to make you stay
Desperately wanting this person to stick around and thinking that by being confident, I can convince them to do so
and every time you talk, well i love everything you say
Falling deeper in love with this person every time we have a conversation
everything we try to start there's something in the way
Encountering obstacles and roadblocks every time we try to make progress in our relationship
i'll pass it off
Ignoring the problem and pretending as though everything is fine, even though it's not
well it costs dollars to write this song
Acknowledging the financial cost of producing music and making sacrifices to pursue a passion
for gas money and a ride home
Using music as a way to make ends meet and cover everyday expenses
well i've thought it through and i'm better now
Reflecting on past experiences and feeling as though I've grown and become a better person as a result
for such a long time
This process of introspection and growth was a long time coming
step down
Letting go of my pride and taking a humble approach to life
knowing that yr so close only hangs me up again
Feeling conflicted about being close to this person but not being able to bridge the gap in our relationship
suffice to say the price i pay won't matter in the end
Realizing that the cost, whether it be financial, emotional, or otherwise, won't matter in the grand scheme of things
this is something i can't even talk about with friends
Keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself, even from those closest to me
i've never been awake before the some comes up
Feeling like I'm always up late, thinking and reflecting on life
well i could never worry about you enough
Caring deeply about this person and feeling anxious whenever they're in a difficult situation
everything i say is obvious
Feeling like my words are predictable and unoriginal
i'm nothing good
Believing that I'm not worth much and being very critical of myself
i'm death to us
Feeling like my presence in this person's life is more harmful than helpful
well i get caught up in these routines
Feeling trapped in a cycle of monotony and boredom
the time i get home
The time spent commuting and returning home from various engagements
the way i seem
Feeling like people judge me based on how I present myself
and these songs i write
Using music as an outlet for my thoughts and feelings
they aren't me
Feeling like my music doesn't truly reflect who I am as a person
i'm terrible
Being very hard on myself and lacking confidence in my abilities
i'm inbetween
Feeling like I'm stuck between two worlds and not sure where I belong
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FlippyFloopster
I'm missing all my friends
Losing touch
Maybe I love you
You're too much
Will I see you again?
Yeah probably not
I'm serious
Raise confidence
Hoping showing confidence is gonna make you stay
Well every time you talk I love everything you say
Everything we try to start there's something in the way
I'll pass it off
Well it cost dollars to write this song
For gas money and a ride home
Well I thought it through
And i'm better now
Such a long time
Step down
Knowing that you're so close only hangs me up again
Suffice to say the price I pay won't matter in the end
This is something I can't even talk about with friends
I'll pass it off
I'm never gonna wait
When the sun comes up
Well I can never worry about you enough
Everything I say is obvious
I'm nothing good
I'm death to us
Well I get caught up in these routines
The time I get home
The way I sing
And these songs I write
They aren't me
I'm terrible
I'm in between
@FlippyFloopster
I'm missing all my friends
Losing touch
Maybe I love you
You're too much
Will I see you again?
Yeah probably not
I'm serious
Raise confidence
Hoping showing confidence is gonna make you stay
Well every time you talk I love everything you say
Everything we try to start there's something in the way
I'll pass it off
Well it cost dollars to write this song
For gas money and a ride home
Well I thought it through
And i'm better now
Such a long time
Step down
Knowing that you're so close only hangs me up again
Suffice to say the price I pay won't matter in the end
This is something I can't even talk about with friends
I'll pass it off
I'm never gonna wait
When the sun comes up
Well I can never worry about you enough
Everything I say is obvious
I'm nothing good
I'm death to us
Well I get caught up in these routines
The time I get home
The way I sing
And these songs I write
They aren't me
I'm terrible
I'm in between
@turb303
will probably forever be one of my favourite songs
@barrusbarrusman9319
Same here... <3
@ashleybarnes8890
love this album man
@kh7955
Definitely their best
@lukaszzz4548
such the best band ever
@Oddisy
i miss this era of music, i miss the early 2000's i miss it all.
@kh7955
This was late 2000s but yea I miss the 90s and early to late 2000s. I will say Trophy Eyes has a lot of potential to be the next tigers jaw if they don't fuck it up. Their "American Dream" album is incredible. I listened to the newest song "Bittersweet" and I'm not a fan though
@zonedereve
/every time you talk, i love everything you say/
@kingkrysen
Pop punk/Punk Rock 4 life 🤘🏼🎸🥁