The band has performed at many national festivals including Coachella, Stagecoach, Summerfest, Bumbershoot, and Pickathon. In 2011, they performed at several large folk festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival and 2011 ROMP roots and branches. They are scheduled to play the Sasquatch Festival, Bonnaroo, All Good Music Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and Lollapalooza in 2012.
2014 saw the release of Trampled by Turtles's seventh studio album, Wild Animals, on July 15th. The band tapped Alan Sparhawk, from the band Low, to produce Wild Animals. Sparhawk's influence is evident in the band's seemingly more alternative, high lonesome sound. The night of Wild Animals' release, TBT made their second appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. On August 16th, Trampled by Turtles headlined a sold out show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO.
http://www.trampledbyturtles.com/
It's a War
Trampled By Turtles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do what you're told
All the way in the back
I can see you attack
And focus in starlight I would dine and be done
Cause I'm out of time
It's a whirl
The bastard son's and plates
It's time for being safe
Now we'll never
Blame it on the weather
More than ever, my friend
Don't forget to pretend
Don't forget to look pretty like you don't own a thing
Are you the last man around
Just a guess
But I think I'm getting more
Wash your hands and pretend
That you keep me safe from harm
The lyrics of Trampled By Turtles's song "It's A War" suggest that the singer is in a situation where they are being ordered to follow instructions and conform to the expectations of others. They see aggression happening around them, which they are helpless to intervene in. The image of starlight and dining seems to suggest the desire for escape, but the singer feels that they are "out of time". They seem resigned to the fact that they are caught up in a "war" and must do what they are told in order to stay safe. The lyrics evoke feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and a sense of resignation in the face of an oppressive force.
In the second verse, the lyrics take on a more ominous tone. The phrase "the bastard son's and plates" is ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to a group of people who are seen as illegitimate or unwelcome, or it could refer to objects being used as weapons in the war. The call at dawn for "sack" could be a reference to the practice of pillaging during wartime. The lyrics then suggest that the singer senses that they are in danger and that they need to be protected. The phrase "more than ever, my friend / Don't forget to pretend" suggests that the singer is aware that they need to appear strong and unaffected, even though they may be feeling vulnerable. The final line "wash your hands and pretend / that you keep me safe from harm" suggests that the singer is aware that they are being taken care of by someone else, but that they do not trust that they are truly safe.
Overall, the lyrics of "It's A War" can be seen as a commentary on the way that systems of power can inflict harm on individuals and force them to conform to expectations that may not align with their own desires or needs. The reference to war implies that there is a larger struggle happening, and that the singer is caught up in something that is beyond their control. The song can be seen as a call to action for listeners to be aware of the power dynamics at play in their own lives, and to resist conforming to systems of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a war
The situation is intense and requires competition or conflict.
Do what you're told
Follow directions given to you by someone else.
All the way in the back
At a distant position from where the action is taking place.
I can see you attack
I can observe you making aggressive moves.
And focus in starlight I would dine and be done
I would quickly and efficiently complete the task at hand with great concentration.
Cause I'm out of time
I have a limited amount of time to accomplish what I need to do.
It's a whirl
The situation is hectic and turbulent.
The bastard son's and plates
The oppressive and unwanted situations that are present.
Call at dawn for sack
A call to action in the morning to gather supplies.
It's time for being safe
It's important to prioritize safety in this situation.
Now we'll never
The current moment signifies a permanent change in the future.
Blame it on the weather
Attribute the current circumstances to external factors beyond our control.
More than ever, my friend
At this particular moment in time, it's critical that we remain loyal to one another.
Don't forget to pretend
Remember to keep up appearances and maintain a facade when necessary.
Don't forget to look pretty like you don't own a thing
Maintain an image that suggests you have no status or role in the situation.
Are you the last man around
Is everyone else gone and you're the only one left?
Just a guess
I'm not quite sure, but I suspect as much.
But I think I'm getting more
I believe I am gaining greater insight or power over the situation.
Wash your hands and pretend
Clean yourself up and act like everything is normal, even if it's not.
That you keep me safe from harm
Act like you're providing protection and support, even if you're not capable of doing so.
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID PATRICK CARROLL, DAVID PAUL SIMONETT, ERIK ROBERT BERRY, RYAN DAVID YOUNG, TIMOTHY POWELL SAXHAUG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul
Officially in my top 5 favorite bands ever.
Joseph Miller
Me too. How ya doing?
dolotsofacid
Around the time you posted this comment, I think they toured with Larry and His Flask, which is a FUCKING AWESOME live show. Better than Trampled By Turtles, in fact, but I have to say equally good. Two awesome bands touring together for $10 a show, I was like HOLY SHIT. These guys are gonna cost $30 a show one day.
doctor snowman
@bukmomen I have only seen TBT live, and it was hands down the most fun show I have ever attended. Words can't describe how awesome it was. I would pay an exorbitant amount of money to see that show.
bukmomen
this song live is so awesome. so bad do i wanna see these guys, old crow medicine show, and the devil makes three. play at a show. some how fans of these bands need to make this happen. thumbs up if you wanna see this go down.
Steven Sharp
Saw 2 of the 3 at Del Fest last year....AWESOME
Benn Krasa
Cant wait to see these guys at All Good
Kieran Testa
That would be EPIC
chris swollenballs
God, how much money do you think that industrial strength fiddle cost
bigkanish3
Hell yes.