Willoughby’s debut album I Know What You’re Up To is the product of Gus Seyffert, who performed and produced all the tracks on the album, with a few friends stopping by to help along the way.
Flavorpill provided this apt description: “Willoughby is a quiet band — but "quiet" as in the old saw about watching out for the quiet ones. Their tintinnabulating melodies have both a Brit-pop, downtempo optimism and an intriguing speakeasy manner, tempered with the dusty funkiness of a saloon band. Onstage, their winsome live presence — crafted from dreamy, salty balladeering, starry percussion, and gently swaying rhythm guitar — will spirit you away.”
The resulting album is a delicate masterpiece that was a dream fulfilled for Gus. “I had wanted to make my own record for a number of years but was always working on other projects.” The production process was key to creating Willoughby’ unique sound, which has evoked comparisons to seedy burlesque clubs, Chet Baker, Elliot Smith, Dashiell Hammett, Graham Greene and Wilco. “Recording the whole thing to tape was really important to me – I really wanted to capture the organic, analog sound of all the great records I love – by people like Harry Nilsson, Sparklehorse, The Zombies and Chet Baker,” Gus says. Those other projects he refers to have included recording and performing with musicians such as Inara George, The Bird and The Bee, Sia, and Michael Andrews.
Gus also recently dueted with Inara George on Tonight You Belong To Me on the latest EP from The Bird & The Bee, while Willoughby are featured on the track Not Enough on the new Junkie XL album, with Gus co-writing Mad Pursuit on the same record. Gus co-wrote Astronaut with Priscilla Ahn for her Blue Note debut and produced and wrote with Benji Hughes for his A Love Extreme album.
The band recently wrapped up a West Coast US tour, and in November 2007 toured North America as the guest of Sia. Summer touring plans are being finalized and will be announced shortly. The band has received strong radio support from KCRW, Indie 103.1 and KROQ among others, including KEXP, who had the band in for a session recently.
Frankenstein
Willoughby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it’s not any colder
Then it is in the man with my heart
Every time
you cry on my shoulder
It’s colder than the man with my heart
Chorus1x: Maybe there’s ways to figure out what I’m doin’
and maybe there’s ways to figure I can be true
than I’m losing my love to you
Tonight on the town (?)
And over a boulder
older than the man with my heart
Hats off to him
my cursed run is over
the curse on the man with my heart
Chorus1x
Musical Pause
Chorus 1x
The lyrics of Willoughby's song Frankenstein explore the themes of heartbreak, lost love, and the inability to move on from the past. The opening lines "Out on a limb, it's not any colder than it is in the man with my heart" suggest that the singer is feeling alone and isolated, even when in the company of others. This feeling is magnified when someone cries on their shoulder, as it only serves to remind them of the coldness and emptiness they feel inside.
The chorus reflects the singer's frustration and confusion about their own behavior, questioning if there are ways to figure out what they're doing wrong or how they can be more true to themselves. Despite this introspection, they recognize that they are losing their love to someone else, unable to break free from the cycle of heartbreak.
The second verse introduces a new element, with the line "Tonight on the town, and over a boulder, older than the man with my heart". Here, the singer seems to be going out and trying to move on, but still feels weighed down by the past. They acknowledge the cursed nature of their romantic history, but still seem unable to let go.
Overall, the lyrics of Frankenstein convey a sense of emotional turmoil and struggle, as the singer grapples with their own feelings and attempts to move on from a painful past.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on a limb
I am taking a risk
it’s not any colder
The risk is not as bad as it seems
Then it is in the man with my heart
The man whose love I lost is suffering more than me
Every time
Whenever
you cry on my shoulder
You seek comfort in me
It’s colder than the man with my heart
It hurts more than losing my love
Chorus1x:
Repeat the chorus once
Maybe there’s ways to figure out what I’m doin’
Perhaps there are ways to understand my actions
what I’m doin’ is easy enough
What I'm doing is not complicated
and maybe there’s ways to figure I can be true
Maybe there's a way for me to be honest
than I’m losing my love to you
So that I won't lose my love to you
Tonight on the town (?)
I am out tonight
And over a boulder
And it's not easy
older than the man with my heart
More difficult than losing my love
Hats off to him
I respect him
my cursed run is over
I am done with my trials
the curse on the man with my heart
The pain of losing my love affects him more than me
Musical Pause
Pause for music
Chorus 1x
Repeat the chorus once
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@schmidt640
His voice is haunting. Very appropriate for this song. Great tune.
@JunkyardFox
once again, im back. such an amazing song and video!!!
@taylortimeless
Found this song on accident looking for something but I love it
@yellowchelo
I can't stop singing this song now.......is that an addiction? Do I have a disorder now? I dig it.
@glickle
Awesome. Just saw them live in Hoboken, NJ
@sparrow6190
it's difficult to find Willoughby anymore, been a fan for a long time too. Even on Soundcloud they don't have any available songs, at least not for free Soundcloud anymore.
Shame it didn't get more attention back in the day
@blaim72
Hi! I wish Willoughby had ever released a second album. To dream. Did you know Gus has released a few solo tracks? These are not much different than Willoughby is shape and form. Here's a starting point: https://youtu.be/QGLjVNEZTC8
Also, he produces a lot, and his work with Bedouine is fantastic. He has produced/co-produced her albums, and plays and sings on them as well.
And lastly, if you go see Roger Waters play live you'll see Gus on bass, along with a handful of other absolutely amazing musicians from Gus' LA world: Joey Waronker and Jonathan Wilson.
@christtuk
superb vid guys. I meant to give 5 stars but my finger slipped so you only get 4. Mike G makes an awesome hunchback. x
@rawmamma
Congrats, Gus!!
@doublehead73
ART!