Tigers Jaw are an American indie rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania that… Read Full Bio ↴Tigers Jaw are an American indie rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania that formed in 2005. The band is currently comprised of vocalist/guitarist Ben Walsh and vocalist/keyboardist Brianna Collins. The band's name is a reference to a song by lo-fi band The Microphones. Tigers Jaw originally consisted of Walsh, Collins, drummer Mike May, vocalist/guitarist Adam McIlwee and bassist Dennis Mishko. May stayed with the band for only a few months, never recording any material with them; and was replaced by Pat Brier the same year.

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.

Smile
Tigers Jaw Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wielding words like a blade
You cut me off and shut me up
And like Silva's face you're just in the wrong place
But this was no honest mistake

And I couldn't fake a smile to save my life
And the tightness in my chest argues for another late night
And I just stopped by to see if you were alone like me

Hey skinny legs, I'm coming to you
I've got a heart that wants a lot
Can't this feeling last forever
Probably not, I'm young at heart
There is a light and it went out
A shaved head and a boring night

So skinny legs, I'm coming to you
I'm afraid not ever, never, no

Overall Meaning

The song "Smile" by Tigers Jaw is an emotional and angst-filled song about a relationship gone wrong. The opening lyrics, "Wielding words like a blade, you cut me off and shut me up," portray the singer as being hurt by their partner's words and actions. The reference to someone's face being "just in the wrong place" also supports this image of feeling displaced and hurt in the relationship. The line "But this was no honest mistake" suggests that the actions taken by the partner were deliberate and intentional, adding to the pain felt by the singer.

The second stanza describes the singer's struggle to put on a fake smile and hide their emotions. The line "the tightness in my chest argues for another late night" suggests that the singer is experiencing anxiety and may be struggling to sleep due to the turmoil in the relationship. The final line of the stanza, "And I just stopped by to see if you were alone like me," is an indication that the singer is still searching for a connection with their partner, despite the pain they've caused.

In the bridge of the song, the singer addresses their partner directly with the lines "Hey skinny legs, I'm coming to you / I've got a heart that wants a lot / Can't this feeling last forever / Probably not, I'm young at heart." These lines suggest that the singer still has hope for the relationship and desires a genuine connection with their partner. However, they also acknowledge that this might not be possible due to the circumstances of their youth and the inherent instability of romantic relationships at that stage of life. The final line of the bridge, "There is a light and it went out," is a powerful metaphor for the loss of hope and optimism felt by the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Wielding words like a blade
You use your words in a sharp and hurtful manner

You cut me off and shut me up
You interrupt me and prevent me from expressing myself

And like Silva's face you're just in the wrong place
You're out of place and not where you're supposed to be

But this was no honest mistake
Your actions were deliberate and intentional

And I couldn't fake a smile to save my life
I'm not able to show a happy expression even if I try

And the tightness in my chest argues for another late night
I feel stressed and anxious and it will lead to another sleepless night

And I just stopped by to see if you were alone like me
I came here to check if you were feeling the same loneliness I am

Hey skinny legs, I'm coming to you
I'm going to you because I have feelings for you

I've got a heart that wants a lot
I have a lot of desires and wants in my heart

Can't this feeling last forever
I wish this feeling of happiness and contentment could last forever

Probably not, I'm young at heart
It's unlikely because I'm young and inexperienced