Death Cab for Cutie — Summer Skin
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Length: 3:09
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Squeaky swings and tall grass
The longest shadows ever cast
The water's warm and children swim
And we frolicked about in our summer skin
I don't recall a single care
Just greenery and humid air
Then Labor Day came and went
And we shed what was left of our summer skin
On the night you left I came over
And we peeled the freckles from our shoulders
Our brand new coats were so flushed and pink
And I knew your heart I couldn't win
'Cause the season's change was a conduit
And we'd left our love in our summer skin
The longest shadows ever cast
The water's warm and children swim
And we frolicked about in our summer skin
I don't recall a single care
Just greenery and humid air
Then Labor Day came and went
And we shed what was left of our summer skin
On the night you left I came over
And we peeled the freckles from our shoulders
Our brand new coats were so flushed and pink
And I knew your heart I couldn't win
'Cause the season's change was a conduit
And we'd left our love in our summer skin
Comments (125)add comment
Finally, a Death Cab for Cutie song I like. I'm cautiously optimistic there will be others.
This fits the RP musical vibe, a style of sound, so I can avoid the lyrics and still enjoy the sound.
DianaBee wrote:
Books and covers.
woah! i never new such a funnily named band can soung so good. impressive..
Books and covers.
woah! i never new such a funnily named band can soung so good. impressive..
Wow, the segue from Leon Russell's "A Song For You" to this was probably the best I've heard. Even for you, Bill, that was fantastic.
Genuinely fatuous lyrics. It doesn't sink to the level of "MacArthur Park", but awful, nonetheless. Gave it a 2.
You ever review a comment you made like 9 years ago and wonder what the hell you were thinking? My position on Beck is totally different now.
My position on DCFC hasn't changed though. Still love those guys.
Posted: Oct 05, 2005 - 07:58
iggam wrote:
Don't feel bad. I feel the same way about Beck.
My position on DCFC hasn't changed though. Still love those guys.
Posted: Oct 05, 2005 - 07:58
iggam wrote:
Every now and then bands come around that has everyone excited but me, and for the life of me I can't figure out what's the deal. For quite some time, that band has been Death Cab for Cutie.
If you're not a fan, spare yourself the cover story on them in Paste Magazine. It's like people like the guys in the band more than they like their music.
If you're not a fan, spare yourself the cover story on them in Paste Magazine. It's like people like the guys in the band more than they like their music.
Don't feel bad. I feel the same way about Beck.
Love this band.
Saw them in 2008 on a triple bill with Dave Matthews and The Dalai Lama.
Saw them in 2008 on a triple bill with Dave Matthews and The Dalai Lama.
Byronape wrote:
I disagree with that statement. I'd put up the average lyrical content of RP up against anything past or present played on commercial radio. If RP listeners only wanted relaxation music, we'd all be listening to Enya and easy listening radio stations. Instead we come here to have our musical tastes challenged and to hear new and interesting things.
I think Michael Stipe proved lyrics don't matter when he did Voice of Harold. A lot of people have said here when Bill plays 7 Chinese Brothers that "I prefer Voice of Harold", which is the same music except Stipe picked up at random the closest thing he could find and used the text for lyrics instead of the ones he wrote for 7 Chinese Brothers. It made no difference, the song sounds just as good.
I disagree with that statement. I'd put up the average lyrical content of RP up against anything past or present played on commercial radio. If RP listeners only wanted relaxation music, we'd all be listening to Enya and easy listening radio stations. Instead we come here to have our musical tastes challenged and to hear new and interesting things.
I think Michael Stipe proved lyrics don't matter when he did Voice of Harold. A lot of people have said here when Bill plays 7 Chinese Brothers that "I prefer Voice of Harold", which is the same music except Stipe picked up at random the closest thing he could find and used the text for lyrics instead of the ones he wrote for 7 Chinese Brothers. It made no difference, the song sounds just as good.
Stingray wrote:
Good point! Another one might be that the band`s lyrics demand attention!
The majority of listeners want to relax-only, though - not share the
interesting "poesie" of a sometimes band.
I disagree with that statement. I'd put up the average lyrical content of RP up against anything past or present played on commercial radio. If RP listeners only wanted relaxation music, we'd all be listening to Enya and easy listening radio stations. Instead we come here to have our musical tastes challenged and to hear new and interesting things.
Good point! Another one might be that the band`s lyrics demand attention!
The majority of listeners want to relax-only, though - not share the
interesting "poesie" of a sometimes band.
I disagree with that statement. I'd put up the average lyrical content of RP up against anything past or present played on commercial radio. If RP listeners only wanted relaxation music, we'd all be listening to Enya and easy listening radio stations. Instead we come here to have our musical tastes challenged and to hear new and interesting things.
ziakut wrote:
Good point! Another one might be that the band`s lyrics demand attention!
The majority of listeners want to relax-only, though - not share the
interesting "poesie" of a sometimes band.
I like the intent of this band...but they have a malaise about them that is just hard to listen to for long durations. I think it's the lack of dynamic in the lead vocalists voice.
Good point! Another one might be that the band`s lyrics demand attention!
The majority of listeners want to relax-only, though - not share the
interesting "poesie" of a sometimes band.
.....and you in your Autumn sweater.
planetclare wrote:
Well, not the song or music so much, but the vocal stylings do also remind me of Al Stewart.
Death Cab is channeling Al Stewart on this one...
Well, not the song or music so much, but the vocal stylings do also remind me of Al Stewart.
Just don't get the buzz around this band. Yo La Tengo does this much better.
AMERICAN CLASS
Cool — for the 2nd time today DCfC offers up a nice "palate cleansing" from the previous less desirable song....
I like the intent of this band...but they have a malaise about them that is just hard to listen to for long durations. I think it's the lack of dynamic in the lead vocalists voice.
planetclare wrote:
Good point.
Death Cab is channeling Al Stewart on this one...
Good point.
autoroute25 wrote:
Deschaneling
Deschaneling
jbtidwell wrote:
Perfect song for the last Friday before daylight saving time.
perfect song for the first week after day light savings
Perfect song for the last Friday before daylight saving time.
perfect song for the first week after day light savings
Death Cab is channeling Al Stewart on this one...
orthomd wrote:
I really love listening to this song this time of year to savor the end of summer....and then into the fall to remember the warmth of summer as it starts to get cold!
ahhhhh......those long summer days as a child.....great song
I really love listening to this song this time of year to savor the end of summer....and then into the fall to remember the warmth of summer as it starts to get cold!
This song makes me yearn for fall.
ahhhhh......those long summer days as a child.....great song
Odyzzeuz wrote:
"No, no, Death Cab is our friend! Gollum! Gollum!"
Don't like it, Precious.
"No, no, Death Cab is our friend! Gollum! Gollum!"
i've always liked the imagery in the lyrics and the percussion in this song.
"Squeaky swings in tall grass, the longest shadows ever cast"
"Squeaky swings in tall grass, the longest shadows ever cast"
iMichael wrote:
No, I definitely meant "merciful." Because anybody who drinks that mess would prefer death.
With your acerbic wit, I bet you're a real hoot at parties. Oh, and don't you mean merciless?
No, I definitely meant "merciful." Because anybody who drinks that mess would prefer death.
eastcoast wrote:
Yeah, I was thinking "Time Passages." Ha!
Its the year of the cat, is this where Al Stewart went
Yeah, I was thinking "Time Passages." Ha!
"...the season's change was a conduit."
Only a scientist could write that line. Great.
Only a scientist could write that line. Great.
8 
9 just to spite webslinger48, Odyzzeuz, and Daniel_Pittenger. . .
9 just to spite webslinger48, Odyzzeuz, and Daniel_Pittenger. . .
....we peeled the freckles from our shoulders...
eew!
Not bad music. The singer sounds tired, flat and bored, though. His singing voice doesn't aggravate me (like that Smashing Punkins guy), it just doesn't move me.
smdeeg wrote:
Congrats to webslinger48 for getting his snarky comments read by Bill! Funny stuff.
an encore!
Congrats to webslinger48 for getting his snarky comments read by Bill! Funny stuff.
iMichael wrote:
With your acerbic wit, I bet you're a real hoot at parties. Oh, and don't you mean merciless?
Naw. Death brings mercy, therefore merciful is correct. correct?
webslinger48 wrote:
Directions for making a really foul concoction:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Death Cab for Cutie
1 tablespoon Snow Patrol
1 slice John Mayer
1 teaspoon Conor Oberst
Directions: In glass dish, mix Death Cab with Conor Oberst and Snow Patrol, being sure to remove Gibbard's glasses before grinding into fine mist. Flavor by squeezing John Mayer until you extract his smarm. Pour putrid mess into glass and make your worst enemy drink it. Enjoy watching him writhe in painful agony before dying a merciful death.
This is merciful, even by your definition?
webslinger48 wrote:
Directions for making a really foul concoction:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Death Cab for Cutie
1 tablespoon Snow Patrol
1 slice John Mayer
1 teaspoon Conor Oberst
Directions: In glass dish, mix Death Cab with Conor Oberst and Snow Patrol, being sure to remove Gibbard's glasses before grinding into fine mist. Flavor by squeezing John Mayer until you extract his smarm. Pour putrid mess into glass and make your worst enemy drink it. Enjoy watching him writhe in painful agony before dying a merciful death.
I approve of any excuse to use the word "smarm".
I love this song.
Its the year of the cat, is this where Al Stewart went
webslinger48 wrote:
Directions for making a really foul concoction:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Death Cab for Cutie
1 tablespoon Snow Patrol
1 slice John Mayer
1 teaspoon Conor Oberst
Directions: In glass dish, mix Death Cab with Conor Oberst and Snow Patrol, being sure to remove Gibbard's glasses before grinding into fine mist. Flavor by squeezing John Mayer until you extract his smarm. Pour putrid mess into glass and make your worst enemy drink it. Enjoy watching him writhe in painful agony before dying a merciful death.
With your acerbic wit, I bet you're a real hoot at parties. Oh, and don't you mean merciless?
Awful.
Nice I like that..ok the drums are a little sloppy, but that's ok, look at the White Stripes
cc_rider wrote:
You are not alone.
No, you're not.
"Plans" and "Transatlanticism" are two
brilliant albums and I love them dearly.
Drummer can't keep a military time rhythm worth a shit. Back to basic training for him.
meydele wrote:
I believe I may have been born to be emo, because I just freakin' love how depressive, forlorn and broody it is. . . and this is one of the best examples. I adore it.
You are not alone.
I love and hate this band. After awhile all of their songs are the same, no variety.
...just a novelty act.
I believe I may have been born to be emo, because I just freakin' love how depressive, forlorn and broody it is. . . and this is one of the best examples. I adore it.
webslinger48 wrote:
Directions for making a really foul concoction:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Death Cab for Cutie
1 tablespoon Snow Patrol
1 slice John Mayer
1 teaspoon Conor Oberst
Directions: In glass dish, mix Death Cab with Conor Oberst and Snow Patrol, being sure to remove Gibbard's glasses before grinding into fine mist. Flavor by squeezing John Mayer until you extract his smarm. Pour putrid mess into glass and make your worst enemy drink it. Enjoy watching him writhe in painful agony before dying a merciful death.
Directions for making a really foul concoction:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Death Cab for Cutie
1 tablespoon Snow Patrol
1 slice John Mayer
1 teaspoon Conor Oberst
Directions: In glass dish, mix Death Cab with Conor Oberst and Snow Patrol, being sure to remove Gibbard's glasses before grinding into fine mist. Flavor by squeezing John Mayer until you extract his smarm. Pour putrid mess into glass and make your worst enemy drink it. Enjoy watching him writhe in painful agony before dying a merciful death.
enidualc wrote:
well, at least its better than The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band 
Has Death Cab gotten around to recording a song called "The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band"? Seems like the natural thing to do.
Me like!!!! 
Don't like it, Precious.
MMMmmm... sublime.
ThePoose wrote:
Echoes of Paul Simon. He used a similar military drumbeat in 50 Ways to Love Your Lever. (You don't have to pardon the pun.)
I do hear the similarity.
This song, IMO, is one of their finest songs. Gibbard's lyrics are very well written and always put a picture in your mind. They're one of my favorite bands.
I dunno, I just like about everything these guys do. Go figure... I especially like listening while I'm on the highway driving along...
Tony0600 wrote:
They get on my tits too.
and i knew your heart i couldn't win
cause the seasons change was a conduit
and we'd left our love in our summer skin
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
This band annoys me. Every song I've heard on here...just grates on me. Kinda like Radiohead. I know they're hip and cool nowadays, but I wouldn't mind hearing less of them.
They get on my tits too.
Echoes of Paul Simon. He used a similar military drumbeat in 50 Ways to Love Your Lever. (You don't have to pardon the pun.)
This band annoys me. Every song I've heard on here...just grates on me. Kinda like Radiohead. I know they're hip and cool nowadays, but I wouldn't mind hearing less of them.
meloman wrote:
Sounds a bit like Al Stewart, but lacking his talent, verve, and story-telling abilities.
yeah, I can hear that, always thought he reminded me of someone.
As many times as I've listened to this cut, I just now noticed the waltz format of this one... tasty...
enidualc wrote:
well, at least its better than The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
I would like to propose a Forum on "Stupid Band Names"
closemindedmoron wrote:
What a stupid name for a band!!!!!!!!!! Makes them sound like a bunch of sissies! I will never listen to wussy stuff from a band named Death Cab for Cutie!
You, sir, are unreal. That said, you do seem to "ruffle a few feathers". A worthy exercise?
closemindedmoron wrote:
What a stupid name for a band!!!!!!!!!! Makes them sound like a bunch of sissies! I will never listen to wussy stuff from a band named Death Cab for Cutie!
closemindedmoron
Uh, dude...you already are.
closemindedmoron wrote:
What a stupid name for a band!!!!!!!!!! Makes them sound like a bunch of sissies! I will never listen to wussy stuff from a band named Death Cab for Cutie!
closemindedmoron wrote:
What a stupid name for a band!!!!!!!!!! Makes them sound like a bunch of sissies! I will never listen to wussy stuff from a band named Death Cab for Cutie!
well, at least its better than The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
i like it
ThirdRail_33 wrote: 
are there so many drummers making tha little sound?
Sounds a bit like Al Stewart, but lacking his talent, verve, and story-telling abilities.
Great...
love this band..... shivery atmospheres, great music!
Caught them on ACL the other night (repeat, I'm sure). The wife absolutely hated "A Movie Script Ending" and then loved "Soul Meets Body" line "there are roads left in both of our shoes" and who was I to argue? Ben's an interesting fella, and I think DCFC has a great future. This tune's quite likeable, anyway.
d-mac wrote:
Slam? 4? I don't know if I can come to your wedding now.
Edit: 3?? Now I'm crying.
Oh, don't cry d-mac! You have to come to the wedding! Who will play Uncle John's band on guitar now? Oh yeah, that's right, NOONE WILL! Phew!
Edit: 5. Better?
StellarSwarm wrote:
Yeah, sing-songy is bad in a SONG that you SING.
So, by your definition, any song that is sung is sing-songy? Huh.
SlamAdams wrote:
I've never been able get past the lead singer's "sing songy" voice/vocal delivery.
4
Edit: I'm giving it a 3; I had forgotten which equaled "ho-hom".
Yeah, sing-songy is bad in a SONG that you SING.
SlamAdams wrote:
I've never been able get past the lead singer's "sing songy" voice/vocal delivery.
4
Slam? 4? I don't know if I can come to your wedding now.
Edit: 3?? Now I'm crying.
yocats wrote:
i liked these guys OK (and postal service as well)until I saw DCFC and Gibbard live...very bad act. Gibbard was like Jack Black in school rock, moving from side to side and all pumped up. he didn't have anything interesting to say (except to complain about camera cell phones in the audience). since seeing the show, his lyrics have seemed quite cheezy and ordinary. they have a big teen/early 20's folowing from the OC TV show which was apparent from the sing along in the crowd.
I couldn't disagree more. I had quite the opposite experience the first time I saw DCFC live. It was some time after they released Transatlanticism and I wasn't very familiar with them at all, only the Postal Service stuff which I loved. I was expecting a brooding, disaffected emo band, but what I got was about 2 hours of pure, unadulterated, indie rock. Ben Gibbard was all over the stage, jumping in on the drum solos and really connecting with the crowd. That show got me hooked on Death Cab.
I will admit though that when I saw them recently on their tour supporting Plans, it was a little more detached and cookie-cutter than I would have preferred. They're playing bigger venues now and catering to a wider audience, which I guess I'll have to allow. I'm no music snob. Well, not completely.
I've never been able get past the lead singer's "sing songy" voice/vocal delivery.
4
Edit: I'm giving it a 3; I had forgotten which equaled "ho-hom".
Saw them live at Lollapalooza. Wasn't real impressed.
i liked these guys OK (and postal service as well)until I saw DCFC and Gibbard live...very bad act. Gibbard was like Jack Black in school rock, moving from side to side and all pumped up. he didn't have anything interesting to say (except to complain about camera cell phones in the audience). since seeing the show, his lyrics have seemed quite cheezy and ordinary. they have a big teen/early 20's folowing from the OC TV show which was apparent from the sing along in the crowd.
Wow look its Carson Daly and TRL!
ThirdRail_33 wrote:
Whoa... 
Eh, Death Cab's best days are behind them.
I love this song but its accuracy is painful.
such a welcome sound... I might just have to buy this cd to preserve the option of playing this whenever....
ThePoose wrote:
Great military drumbeat.
would be interesting to hear this followed by "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" -- i wonder if it would work.
Great military drumbeat.
Always a pleasure to hear the Cab, except when they rip off Pinback, of course. Of course.
I really like the odd percussion in this song. Has a march-like quality to it.
TampaPurple wrote:
To me, DCFC is about the imagery of the lyrics. This song paints such a vivid picture of the bittersweet passing of time and love lost. I realize that the delivery style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but Gibbard is a master of painting melancholy images of relationships and their inevitable end. To me, the guy is a poet first and musician second.
I agree with the other listeners who have commented on your comment - very eloquently stated.
I just picked up this CD and love it all. A great band I might never have found without RP
Can't get enough of these guys, dunno why, they just mesmerize me. upped it to a 9
Does anyone else hear Freedy Johnson? Drives me crazy...the voice and melancholy but none of his cool dischordant melodies, vocal or guitar.
grassfolk420 wrote:
The more I listen to this album, the more I like it.
Ditto!
TampaPurple wrote:
To me, DCFC is about the imagery of the lyrics. This song paints such a vivid picture of the bittersweet passing of time and love lost. I realize that the delivery style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but Gibbard is a master of painting melancholy images of relationships and their inevitable end. To me, the guy is a poet first and musician second.
I too agree. The music, his voice, etc, just drive me crazy, but the lyrics are really evocative. The idea of the remnants of a relationship being left behind like the peeling skin of a sunburn...wow. I think that's pretty cool stuff.
I give it a 6 just for the lyrics...
TampaPurple wrote:
To me, DCFC is about the imagery of the lyrics. This song paints such a vivid picture of the bittersweet passing of time and love lost. I realize that the delivery style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but Gibbard is a master of painting melancholy images of relationships and their inevitable end. To me, the guy is a poet first and musician second.
Well Said!
2I saw these guys at the ACL Fest back in September. My wife was already a fan, I didn't really know a lot about them. They were actually quite good live. The more I listen to this album, the more I like it.
Nice song but it's either been re-encoded one time too many or was encoded for a cell phone? It sounds like a free sample on Amazon.com? YUK!
Nice how Bill segued to this song from "Neil Young - After the Gold Rush"
Fantastic song, great band.
I enjoy DCFC so much. I think I listened to this album 10+ times over the weekend.
Very enjoyable.
This is one of those songs that manages to take me back to a place and time that may only have existed in my head. It's not tied to any specific memory, and yet I'm reminded of different experiences every time I hear it. For that it gets an 8!
This is an EMO band. It's what was college indi-alternative with more generation X posturing. you know, downward glances, less smiles, and too much Ridilain.
They played once in my little indie CD store and were quite pleasant. They had very little draw at the time and were playing for gas money. Glad they got the big record deal, maybe now they might ...smile ?
iggam wrote:
Every now and then bands come around that has everyone excited but me, and for the life of me I can't figure out what's the deal. For quite some time, that band has been Death Cab for Cutie.
I'm with ya. Still waiting to hear something, anything, from this band that grabs me.
This is less a problem with Death Cab than with poor journalism, but...I saw this little blurb in some magazine (Time Out New York, maybe) which referred to Death Cab as an "art rock" band. HUH? I mean, I know labeling music is relatively useless anyway, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
Death Cab is a cathcy pop band. I can think of no reason to refer to them as "art rock". I thinks it's hilarious how the media arrives at things about five years late and then writes about them as if they are groundbreaking in some insane way. If Death Cab is art rock, then we gotta invent some new terms to describe things that ACTUALLY push the envelope.
This song and album pale in comparison to their previous effort Transatlanticism. I could only give this a 5.
Does anyone else think their singer sounds like...some OTHER artist? Like Jack White is starting to sound like Robert Plant? I also think Jeff Tweedy from Wilco sounds like, I dunno, maybe Jeff Buckley.
**wrinkles nose**
This is kinda...stinky.
JJAB wrote:
I can't help but wonder how the band picked their name. Could it be they were sitting around one day stumped on good names, and then someone shouted, "Hey! How about, "Death Cab for Cutie?!" I guess it's possible... :-k
DCFC was the name of a song by The Bonzo Dog Band from way back...doesn't make it a good name, but at least now you know where it comes from.
iggam wrote:
Every now and then bands come around that has everyone excited but me, and for the life of me I can't figure out what's the deal. For quite some time, that band has been Death Cab for Cutie.
If you're not a fan, spare yourself the cover story on them in Paste Magazine. It's like people like the guys in the band more than they like their music.
Don't feel bad. I feel the same way about Beck.
Every now and then bands come around that has everyone excited but me, and for the life of me I can't figure out what's the deal. For quite some time, that band has been Death Cab for Cutie.
If you're not a fan, spare yourself the cover story on them in Paste Magazine. It's like people like the guys in the band more than they like their music.
To me, DCFC is about the imagery of the lyrics. This song paints such a vivid picture of the bittersweet passing of time and love lost. I realize that the delivery style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but Gibbard is a master of painting melancholy images of relationships and their inevitable end. To me, the guy is a poet first and musician second.
i'm the exact same when it comes to Toad - can't stand their name, can't stand their music.
DCFC, on the other hand... i love both.
flandersdog wrote:bands with bad names can make good music (see: Toad the Wet Sprocket), but I really dislike this band's name and can't say I care for their music much, either.
Love this band.
Saw them in 2008 on a triple bill with Dave Matthews and The Dalai Lama.
Did the Dalai Lama play guitar?