Their name was inspired by an awkward conversation with a U-Haul employee who was inspecting a van that the band had rented. The U-haul employee, attempting to make polite conversation, asked the three bespectacled band members if they were brothers. They said no. He asked if they were scientists, as they looked like they could be the kind of people who wear lab coats. They told him that they were musicians, not scientists. To this day, they regret telling the truth. They are not named after the Cap'n Jazz song which bears the name.
They are a franchise of Art Rock band, Art Brut. In fact, they are Art Brut 47.
The band formed while its members attended the Claremont Colleges. Murray and Cain attended Pomona College; Michael Tapper attended Harvey Mudd College.
The band has released three self-made EPs (Bitching!, Safety, Fun, and Learning (In That Order) and In Action). Their debut LP, With Love And Squalor was on Virgin Records, the first three singles of which were "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "The Great Escape" and "It's A Hit". The album takes its name from the J.D. Salinger short story "For Esme - With Love and Squalor". They have since released LP Crap Attack, which is a collection of B-Sides, covers and other rarities, and their full follow-up album, Brain Thrust Mastery which debuted in the UK on March 17,2008 reached number 11 at the UK Album charts.
On the 1st November 2007, NME reported that Michael Tapper has left We Are Scientists under amicable circumstances, and on September 18, 2007, the band announced on their website that Max Hart, a keyboardist and guitarist who has played live with them before, has joined the band temporarily. As they put it: "There's no easy answer as to how long Max will stick around. Maybe we'll grow to hate his sanctimonious ways, which for now tickle us so. Maybe he'll grow to hate our open-minded, funny, refreshing, handsome ways, thus achieving what psychologists and bookies long ago labeled impossible."
And to make things even more exciting for the band, We Are Scientists is featured in the soundtrack of the 2008 film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which Bishop Allen - at the time featuring former We Are Scientists drummer Michael Tapper - appears in a cameo.
According to Keith Murray's Wikipedia he was nominated for World's Sexiest Vegetarian 2007 and is predicted that he will be the new face of Louis Vuitton's spring/summer '09 collection.
The Band's 3rd effort, Barbara, was released in June of 2010 and features ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.
Nice Guys
We Are Scientists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And act like you want 'em
Walk off the residual pain
And forget how you got it
Nice guys finish last anyway
And that's just the problem
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more than you
I want it more than you
It's fine to say this isn't a game
When you've already lost it
It's pointless to go through it again
But perhaps you've forgotten
You've gotta know there's nothing to gain
So why even bother?
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more than you
I want it more than you
This isn't a trick
So stop over-thinking everything
Just finish your drink
And stop over-thinking everything
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more than you
I want it more than you
I want it more than you
I want it more than you
The lyrics to We Are Scientists's Nice Guys appear to be a commentary on the idea of being too nice and how it can lead to being taken advantage of. The opening lines suggest that it's okay to make mistakes, but it's not okay to act like you want them or to hold onto the pain that comes from those mistakes. The idea that nice guys finish last is explored, and the chorus urges the listener to "act like the nice guy" but also to want what they want more than anyone else.
The second verse suggests that when you've already lost something, it's pointless to try to get it back. But perhaps the "nice guy" has forgotten this and is still trying to win at a losing game. The idea of "overthinking everything" is mentioned, and the listener is urged to just finish their drink and stop thinking so much.
Overall, the song seems to be a reminder that it's okay to be nice, but it's not okay to let that niceness be taken advantage of. It's important to go after what you want and to not be afraid to put yourself first sometimes.
Line by Line Meaning
You're smart enough to make your mistakes
And act like you want 'em
You are capable enough to make mistakes and pretend that it is what you desire
Walk off the residual pain
And forget how you got it
Ignore the emotional pain that remains and forget how you got it
Nice guys finish last anyway
And that's just the problem
Even though nice guys are admirable, they tend to lose and that's the issue
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
If you label yourself as a nice guy, then behave like one. Also, if you want something, know that I want it even more than you do
It's fine to say this isn't a game
When you've already lost it
It seems okay to say that it's not a game when you've already lost it
It's pointless to go through it again
But perhaps you've forgotten
It is useless to go through it again, but maybe you have forgotten that
You've gotta know there's nothing to gain
So why even bother?
You must understand that there's nothing to gain, so why even bother trying?
This isn't a trick
So stop over-thinking everything
Just finish your drink
And stop over-thinking everything
This is not a scheme, so stop over-analyzing things all the time. Instead, drink and distract yourself from the habit of overthinking
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
I want it more than you
If you are a nice guy, then act like one. Moreover, if you desire something, know that I want it more than you
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you're the nice guy, act like the nice guy
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more
If you want this, I want it more than you
I want it more than you
I want it more than you
If you proclaim yourself to be a kind-hearted person, then indeed behave like one. If you crave something, know that I long for it even more than you. I want it more than you do, and I repeat, I want it more than you do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CAIN, KEITH MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SarahGlitters83
I laughed so hard, it hurts! They have the best sense of humor ever. Super creative & talented. I love them!
@joms033
This guys are so awesome even the video description is hilarious! Love this video, love the song and totally love Keith and Chris!
@aunderscorei
i love how these guys produce some of the most amazing songs ever and yet they dont take it overly seriously, theyre too amazing! :D
@fudgepiesnfries
I love how he shared sandwhiches and juice boxes with the small boy after the small boy owned him on the scooter. I think the boy had a size advantage.
@Cypy94
Clever guys :) they never cease to amaze me! Just too epic for words! ♥
@kirin2112
You have to respect a band that plays irreverent in their video's. Good stuff and even greater musicians. Good stuff guys, keep it up.
@neophoenix7
This is an awesome song! Love it! and those subtitles are hilarious
@batchen12
Love the song, love the video... love your guys!
@maggieswiss
totally awesome! You guys rock. Enough said :-D!
@Brute539
Loving the sound of the new album :)