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.
Textbook
We Are Scientists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I put myself in that position every single time I had the chance
I know it's not my business to be digging up these things I should've known
But twenty years of bad decisions haven't taught me much at all
I permit the advance you're making; everyone pretends it's not your fault
And all of this offense you're taking doesn't bother me at all
Twist my arm if that's the way you think you're gonna work this whole thing out
(Having every question answered isn't going to help at all)
When you're not supposed to know
Anything
Another textbook situation, everything I think I know I've read
What's the point if medication only makes me wish that I were dead?
It's pretty clear that you want me; it's written here on every single page
Spitting blood, not stupid, I can read it all over your face
(Having every question answered isn't going to help at all)
When you're not supposed to know
Anything
The lyrics to We Are Scientists' Textbook speak of the singer's struggles when it comes to relationships. They describe the feeling of constantly falling for someone, but always coming up short. The opening lines “falling over backwards for you, falling over everybody else / I put myself in that position every single time I had the chance” reveal the desperation and the willingness to sacrifice themselves in their pursuit of love. The chorus, “having every question answered isn't going to help at all / when you're not supposed to know anything,” highlights the confusion and helplessness that often come with romantic situations. The singer is grappling with the uncertainty and fluidity that come with love, knowing that there are no easy answers or solutions.
The lyrics also touch on a sense of powerlessness when it comes to attraction. The line “you know you own my body, but don't think you control my mouth” implies a lack of agency on the singer's part. They feel that their physical desire for their partner is being manipulated and exploited, but they still have the power to speak and express themselves honestly. The final lines of the song, “another textbook situation, everything I think I know I’ve read / what's the point if medication only makes me wish that I were dead?” convey a sense of resignation and hopelessness. The singer feels trapped in a pattern of behavior that they can't break free from, despite their best efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
Falling over backwards for you, falling over everybody else
I keep putting myself in situations where I prioritize you over everyone else, even when it's not ideal for me.
I put myself in that position every single time I had the chance
I keep doing this to myself and I don't know why I can't stop.
I know it's not my business to be digging up these things I should've known
I'm aware it's not my place to search for answers I could have had earlier.
But twenty years of bad decisions haven't taught me much at all
Despite having a lot of experience with making poor choices, I haven't learned much from them.
I permit the advance you're making; everyone pretends it's not your fault
I'm allowing you to continue pursuing me, even though others around us pretend like you're not to blame.
And all of this offense you're taking doesn't bother me at all
I'm not concerned with how you react to my actions, and I won't let it affect me.
Twist my arm if that's the way you think you're gonna work this whole thing out
If you think you can manipulate me into giving in, you can try but it won't work.
You know you own my body, but don't think you control my mouth
You may have some physical power over me, but I still have the ability to speak up for myself.
Another textbook situation, everything I think I know I've read
This situation is a common one and I feel like I already have a basic understanding of what's going on.
What's the point if medication only makes me wish that I were dead?
Taking medication to deal with the stress of this situation only makes me feel worse.
It's pretty clear that you want me; it's written here on every single page
Your intentions towards me are obvious and consistent across every interaction we've had.
Spitting blood, not stupid, I can read it all over your face
I may be in pain, but I'm not oblivious to the signals you're giving off about your feelings for me.
(Having every question answered isn't going to help at all)
(Even if I had every answer to every question about this situation, it wouldn't necessarily make it any easier for me to navigate.)
When you're not supposed to know
Anything
(Sometimes, you're just not meant to understand everything that's happening.)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CAIN, KEITH MURRAY, MICHAEL TAPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RepKyle
Lyrics:
Falling over backwards for you
Fawning over everybody else
I put myself in that position
Every single time I have the chance
I know it's not my business
To be digging up these things
I should have known
Twenty years of bad decisions
Haven't taught me much at all
Separate events you're making
Everyone pretend it's not your fault
And all of this offense you're taking
Doesn't really bother me at all
Twist my arm, 'cause that's the way you think you're gonna work this whole thing out
You know you own my body, but don't think that you control my mouth
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Doesn't help
When you're not supposed to know
You're not supposed to know
You're not supposed to know
Anything
Another textbook situation
Everything I think I know I've read
What's the point of medication?
Only makes me wish that I were dead
It's pretty clear the truth I mean
It's written here on every single page
I'm smitten but not stupid
I can read it all over your face
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Isn't gonna help at all
Having every question answered
Doesn't help
When you're not supposed to know
You're not supposed to know
You're not supposed to know
Anything
MinnieDaydream
I still know every word on this album. This band got me through some difficult high school years. Such nostalgia. <3
Pablo L.
Dude, i suscribe every word you said.
Chong Pooka
Me too, I totally forgot about them but saw they’re releasing a record for Record Store Day 2020, this was one of the first CD’s I gave to my girlfriend at the time to play in her car, we eventually married. It’s funny how memories relate to music and certain songs
Macie Hewson
I grew up with this album! always gonna have a special place in my heart❤️
DeVernePersonal
I wish I had known about this band in high school. what an amazing band. every single song is a hit.
Clodd1
2020 and it still got me. This album was the soundtrack of a break up. The one i love the most... 10 years ago. For most people it's just some alternative rock songs, but it means a lot to me.
ICouldn'tThinkofaCreativeUsername
One of my favorite songs ever. Freaking beautiful.
Carlos Gonzalez
This song, oh my god did I hear this OVER AND OVER AND OVER when I was about 21.
Macie Hewson
@Chasen Harris Jesus I forgot about that
Chasen Harris
when you were 9 + 10? Because 9 + 10 is twenni wan.