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.
Charmer
Tigers Jaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were sleeping over the best part of it
Telling me something I don't care about
See my silhouette on your shoulder blade
I'm the only person that does what I want
Telling me something I don't care about
Definitely feeling unnecessary pain
Then you walk away
Hey I need you my new charmer
I've been thinking don't you wanna
Be my perfect babe instead
I can’t sleep in other beds
Can I have ya my madonna
Muscle grinder, my new charmer
Bicep grabber, black madonna
Can I have ya, my new charmer
My new charmer, black madonna
The lyrics of Tigers Jaw's song "Charmer" portray the conflicting emotions of a person in a relationship who is starting to feel bored and uninterested. The opening lines, "I was getting bored of the compliments. You were sleeping over the best part of it. Telling me something I don't care about," set the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer expresses his/her disinterest in the things their partner says or does. The lines, "See my silhouette on your shoulder blade. I'm the only person that does what I want. Telling me something I don't care about" further highlight the singer's feelings of loneliness and separateness, even though they are in a relationship.
The chorus of the song, on the other hand, presents a different side to the singer's emotions. The lines "Hey, I need you my new charmer, I've been thinking don't you wanna. Be my perfect babe instead. I can’t sleep in other beds" show the singer's desperation for their partner's presence, but in a way that is forceful and possessive. The references to Madonna and muscle grinder continue to convey a strong sense of power play. In essence, the song "Charmer" deals with the dichotomy of a person who is simultaneously isolated and drawn towards their partner, but in a way that lacks true emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I was getting bored of the compliments
The singer has grown tired of receiving insincere flattery.
You were sleeping over the best part of it
The listener was not fully engaging with the relationship and missed out on the most enjoyable moments.
Telling me something I don't care about
The listener is not considering the singer's interests or feelings, and shares information that is meaningless to them.
See my silhouette on your shoulder blade
The artist is expressing a desire to be close to the listener, physically and emotionally.
I'm the only person that does what I want
The artist is asserting their individuality and independence, suggesting that the listener is not as self-directed.
Definitely feeling unnecessary pain
The singer is experiencing emotional discomfort that is pointless or unwarranted.
Say that there's no consequence
The listener is suggesting that their actions have no negative repercussions, and therefore they can act without concern.
Then you walk away
The listener abandons the artist without regard for their feelings or wellbeing.
Hey I need you my new charmer
The artist desires the listener's attention and affection.
I've been thinking don't you wanna
The artist has contemplated the potential mutual interest and attraction between them.
Be my perfect babe instead
The singer desires the listener to be their ideal romantic partner.
I can’t sleep in other beds
The artist expresses their attachment to the listener and need for their presence and intimacy.
Can I have ya my madonna
The singer addresses the listener in a reverent and romantic way, indicating their adoration and desire for them.
Muscle grinder, my new charmer
The singer sees the listener as physically attractive and strong, referring to them with a description of their muscles.
Bicep grabber, black madonna
Continuing the theme of physical attraction, the singer uses sensory language to describe their desire for the listener.
My new charmer, black madonna
The artist continues to refer to the listener with these evocative, complimentary nicknames.
Contributed by Aiden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diogo Rafael
00:01 1. Cool
02:37 2. Frame You
04:51 3. Hum
08:18 4. Charmer
11:44 5. Nervous Kids
14:39 6. I Envy Your Apathy
18:05 7. Divide
21:22 8. Slow Come On
24:38 9. Teen Rocket
27:29 10. Soft Spoken
30:12 11. Distress Signal
32:54 12. What Would You Do
LIKE to help it stay on top.
Diogo Rafael
00:01 1. Cool
02:37 2. Frame You
04:51 3. Hum
08:18 4. Charmer
11:44 5. Nervous Kids
14:39 6. I Envy Your Apathy
18:05 7. Divide
21:22 8. Slow Come On
24:38 9. Teen Rocket
27:29 10. Soft Spoken
30:12 11. Distress Signal
32:54 12. What Would You Do
LIKE to help it stay on top.
Veronica Duca
bless you
Jeremy S
Soft Spoken and Teen Rocket should be reversed.
Rich Bassett
bump
Fy
+Diogo Rafael thank you
Joan Rodriguez
+Miraii diary Nope.
Will Lozinak
if you listen to this album at 2x speed, youll be like, dam, this is faster, than i remembered
The Bridge
haha
Jayjay McFly
Razor-sharp insight :)
SCB
Easily one of the best albums of the year. I'm so glad I got it on vinyl over the summer!