Death Cab for Cutie — Your Heart Is an Empty Room
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Total ratings: 1878
Length: 3:34
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Burn it down till the embers smoke on the ground
And start new when your heart is an empty room
With walls of the deepest blue
Home's face: how it ages when you're away
And spring blooms and you find the love that's true
But you don't know what now to do
'Cause the chase is all you know
And she stopped running months ago
And all you see
Is where else you could be
When you're at home
Out on the street
Are so many possibilities
To not be alone
The flames and smoke climbed out of every window
And disappeared with everything that you held dear
And you shed not a single tear for the things that you didn't need
'Cause you knew you were finally free
'Cause all you see is where else you could be when you're at home
Out on the street are so many possibilities to not be alone
And all you see is where else you could be
When you're at home
There on the street are so many possibilities to not be alone
And start new when your heart is an empty room
With walls of the deepest blue
Home's face: how it ages when you're away
And spring blooms and you find the love that's true
But you don't know what now to do
'Cause the chase is all you know
And she stopped running months ago
And all you see
Is where else you could be
When you're at home
Out on the street
Are so many possibilities
To not be alone
The flames and smoke climbed out of every window
And disappeared with everything that you held dear
And you shed not a single tear for the things that you didn't need
'Cause you knew you were finally free
'Cause all you see is where else you could be when you're at home
Out on the street are so many possibilities to not be alone
And all you see is where else you could be
When you're at home
There on the street are so many possibilities to not be alone
Comments (89)add comment
nottheusualkind wrote:
I know what you mean w/r/t being nervous singing in front of people. I remember when I was almost 30 going to a party for work that had a full karaoke machine. I picked Ants Marching by DMB (a song I knew very well) and was breezing through the first verse. I hit the chorus and my mind completely blanked; the lyrics were on the screen before me, but it felt like it was pure gibberish. I looked down at my right leg and it was shaking so hard. I grabbed a stool, sat down, and aced the rest of the song.
A few weeks later, I found a place that had a weekly Open Mike night. I was still extremely nervous and I'm not extroverted at all, but I got up there on a stool and performed three songs with accompaniment. I ended up going every week for about five years, even doing tunes a capella, but I probably relied on that stool for the first 9-12 months.
My first song at Open Mike was Walking In Memphis by Marc Cohn.
I am a 'sometimes' songwriter that has written and recorded some songs in my lifetime. Busy family life and work commitments keep it to 'sometimes' but that will change in a couple of years with retirement when it will be full on. About 9 years ago, I was asked to sing a couple of songs live at a function. I had never performed live and I was out of my mind with nervousness. Since then I have performed from time to time and I am sort of getting used to it. This was the first song I performed in front of that gymnasium full of people and I picked this as a cover to perform because it is such a great tune. It will forever hold a special place in my heart and listening to it now brings some tears to my eyes. Thank you, RP, for having this gorgeous song in your rotation, I will never tire of listening to it.
I know what you mean w/r/t being nervous singing in front of people. I remember when I was almost 30 going to a party for work that had a full karaoke machine. I picked Ants Marching by DMB (a song I knew very well) and was breezing through the first verse. I hit the chorus and my mind completely blanked; the lyrics were on the screen before me, but it felt like it was pure gibberish. I looked down at my right leg and it was shaking so hard. I grabbed a stool, sat down, and aced the rest of the song.
A few weeks later, I found a place that had a weekly Open Mike night. I was still extremely nervous and I'm not extroverted at all, but I got up there on a stool and performed three songs with accompaniment. I ended up going every week for about five years, even doing tunes a capella, but I probably relied on that stool for the first 9-12 months.
My first song at Open Mike was Walking In Memphis by Marc Cohn.
They get an 8 just for the lyrics:
But you don't know what now to do
'Cause the chase is all you know
And she stopped running months ago
But you don't know what now to do
'Cause the chase is all you know
And she stopped running months ago
nlarsen1 wrote:
Can I upvote this more than once?
A song that always hits as a reminder to appreciate what you have and where you're at, even when you're sometimes ruining it for yourself.
Can I upvote this more than once?
A song that always hits as a reminder to appreciate what you have and where you're at, even when you're sometimes ruining it for yourself.
nottheusualkind wrote:
How's retirement going? I hope you're getting to write and play more and that it is bringing you much joy.
I am a 'sometimes' songwriter that has written and recorded some songs in my lifetime. Busy family life and work commitments keep it to 'sometimes' but that will change in a couple of years with retirement when it will be full on. About 9 years ago, I was asked to sing a couple of songs live at a function. I had never performed live and I was out of my mind with nervousness. Since then I have performed from time to time and I am sort of getting used to it. This was the first song I performed in front of that gymnasium full of people and I picked this as a cover to perform because it is such a great tune. It will forever hold a special place in my heart and listening to it now brings some tears to my eyes. Thank you, RP, for having this gorgeous song in your rotation, I will never tire of listening to it.
How's retirement going? I hope you're getting to write and play more and that it is bringing you much joy.
dwhayslett wrote:
So all great albums were made by bad groups? That's ... quite a statement.
No, that's your statement dipshit!
So all great albums were made by bad groups? That's ... quite a statement.
No, that's your statement dipshit!
I like DCFC but when I saw them, they had these little elfin houses that looked like mushrooms up on stage.
It was hard to watch the concert and not think "Stonehenge".
I'm glad the drummer didn't spontaneously combust.
It was hard to watch the concert and not think "Stonehenge".
I'm glad the drummer didn't spontaneously combust.
Nice segue from U2's One
NICE!
DaidyBoy wrote:
I like this band, I like this song. In another 10 years I think I will still like their work.
time for a comment! while not my favorite, it is quite listenable (hahaha - am dull and lacking an adjective! don't you love it when people use silly words when the mind isn't finding the better ones?!)
I like this band, I like this song. In another 10 years I think I will still like their work.
RadioDoc wrote:
Reporting from the future that you were happily wrong!
youngj wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
Reporting from the future that you were happily wrong!
nottheusualkind wrote:
Keep on rockin' dear Sir we salute ya!
I am a 'sometimes' songwriter that has written and recorded some songs in my lifetime. Busy family life and work commitments keep it to 'sometimes' but that will change in a couple of years with retirement when it will be full on. About 9 years ago, I was asked to sing a couple of songs live at a function. I had never performed live and I was out of my mind with nervousness. Since then I have performed from time to time and I am sort of getting used to it, lol. This was the first song I performed in front of that gymnasium full of people and I picked this as a cover to perform because it is such a great tune. It will forever hold a special place in my heart and listening to it now brings some tears to my eyes. Thank you, RP, for having this gorgeous song in your rotation, I will never tire of listening to it.
Keep on rockin' dear Sir we salute ya!
Sounds like a Poundland Elliott Smith.
Reminds me of Michael Penn. Oh, how about some Michael Penn sometime?
Beats Billy Evelash all over the place
jmddj wrote:
What a great comment!
interesting dichotomy on the commentary. Like wine, food, or any other preference, the breadth of the spectrum allows for many individual likes - as well as dislikes. As Paul Simon succinctly put it, "one man's ceiling is another man's floor". The fact that Ben shares his soul is apparently a source of discomfort for some, who call it whiny- but it takes courage to open up- perhaps the vitriol is really only thinly disguised jealousy from those who can't?
While it's not my favorite DCFC song, it is true to the band's ethos. I'd like to hear Transatlanticism or others on RP, and hope that R&B can accommodate that in the future, but still happy that the variety still reveals hitherto unknown talent, as well as celebrating both the fringe and the (relatively) mainstream.
While it's not my favorite DCFC song, it is true to the band's ethos. I'd like to hear Transatlanticism or others on RP, and hope that R&B can accommodate that in the future, but still happy that the variety still reveals hitherto unknown talent, as well as celebrating both the fringe and the (relatively) mainstream.
What a great comment!
I am a 'sometimes' songwriter that has written and recorded some songs in my lifetime. Busy family life and work commitments keep it to 'sometimes' but that will change in a couple of years with retirement when it will be full on. About 9 years ago, I was asked to sing a couple of songs live at a function. I had never performed live and I was out of my mind with nervousness. Since then I have performed from time to time and I am sort of getting used to it. This was the first song I performed in front of that gymnasium full of people and I picked this as a cover to perform because it is such a great tune. It will forever hold a special place in my heart and listening to it now brings some tears to my eyes. Thank you, RP, for having this gorgeous song in your rotation, I will never tire of listening to it.
Michaeljcovel wrote:
So all great albums were made by bad groups? That's ... quite a statement.
Great song Great album from a band I don't like. Someone once said (it was me) it takes a bad group to make a great album.
So all great albums were made by bad groups? That's ... quite a statement.
Great song Great album from a band I don't like. Someone once said (it was me) it takes a bad group to make a great album.
interesting dichotomy on the commentary. Like wine, food, or any other preference, the breadth of the spectrum allows for many individual likes - as well as dislikes. As Paul Simon succinctly put it, "one man's ceiling is another man's floor". The fact that Ben shares his soul is apparently a source of discomfort for some, who call it whiny- but it takes courage to open up- perhaps the vitriol is really only thinly disguised jealousy from those who can't?
While it's not my favorite DCFC song, it is true to the band's ethos. I'd like to hear Transatlanticism or others on RP, and hope that R&B can accommodate that in the future, but still happy that the variety still reveals hitherto unknown talent, as well as celebrating both the fringe and the (relatively) mainstream.
While it's not my favorite DCFC song, it is true to the band's ethos. I'd like to hear Transatlanticism or others on RP, and hope that R&B can accommodate that in the future, but still happy that the variety still reveals hitherto unknown talent, as well as celebrating both the fringe and the (relatively) mainstream.
And that's why I can't stand them. Stupid band name, too. They should go on tour with Sufjan Stevens — WussFest 2017! 
cc_rider wrote:
cc_rider wrote:
Emotional, whiny, over-wrought, all true assessments. Maybe that's why I really like DCFC.
youngj wrote:
RadioDoc wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
I like this band, I like this song. In another 10 years I think I will still like their work.
Will we like this song 10 years from now? I think I will.
RadioDoc wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
I like this band, I like this song. In another 10 years I think I will still like their work.
Awful band name.
Wow, this is just 'orrible.
bizon wrote:
There is that theme, right enough. Dark lyrics, bright sound: Thanatos with a poppy beat. Not unlike Depeche Mode in that respect. I wonder if DCFC could be considered as part of the electro-goth genre?
Whether critics like it or not is very much a subjective matter. The dark/light combo works for this listener, but wtf do I know compared to critics?
Critics cut them for the somber quality that runs through their music like a theme.
There is that theme, right enough. Dark lyrics, bright sound: Thanatos with a poppy beat. Not unlike Depeche Mode in that respect. I wonder if DCFC could be considered as part of the electro-goth genre?
Whether critics like it or not is very much a subjective matter. The dark/light combo works for this listener, but wtf do I know compared to critics?
Sounds like band of horses
Saw these guys last week for the first time when they passed through town. Very, very impressive.
Ah ha! I knew it! Death Cab for Cutie.
Sometimes, just reading comments from folks can be as entertaining as the music. Very often, funny stuff!
RadioDoc wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
Considering you've left several cranky grievances for each song of theirs in the RP Library, they may not fade from from this page or any of the RP pages of musical history so quickly. This particular song is already over ten years old anyhow.
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
Considering you've left several cranky grievances for each song of theirs in the RP Library, they may not fade from from this page or any of the RP pages of musical history so quickly. This particular song is already over ten years old anyhow.
RadioDoc wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
hey you damn kid, get offa my lawn!
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
hey you damn kid, get offa my lawn!
like it! i loved transatlanticism..but didn't give subsequent releases the same kind of attention...should I?
...such a good album.
There's a nice quality about this band...and there's also some blandness happening. I think it's the lack of dynamics in the vocals and music. Everything just sorta flows...but nothing ever gushes.
RadioDoc wrote:
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
My CD collection is made up of many artists who I guess would be considered "a flyspot on this page of musical history," thankfully.
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
My CD collection is made up of many artists who I guess would be considered "a flyspot on this page of musical history," thankfully.
bizon wrote:
i'm with you, except i'm not sold on his vocals.
Critics cut them for the somber quality that runs through their music like a theme. Critics did the same thing with Pink Floyd. I am only comparing DCFC to Pink Floyd in that regard, but like them or not, I am pretty sure that we will be hearing them for a long time to come. Ben Gibbard is, in my opinion, one of the better lyricists and songwriters in popular music today.
i'm with you, except i'm not sold on his vocals.
Critics cut them for the somber quality that runs through their music like a theme. Critics did the same thing with Pink Floyd. I am only comparing DCFC to Pink Floyd in that regard, but like them or not, I am pretty sure that we will be hearing them for a long time to come. Ben Gibbard is, in my opinion, one of the better lyricists and songwriters in popular music today.
not-a-fish wrote:
...20 minute guitar epiphanies...
I love that expression!
youngj wrote:
Will we like this song 10 years from now? I think I will.
Happily, they will have faded from memory 10 years from now. A flyspot on this page of musical history.
Kerly wrote: 
Death Cab For Cutie - Your Heart Is an Empty Room
Garbage - Bleed Like Me
Nada Surf - Always Love
Thanks, my morning sweet rocks!
Will we like this song 10 years from now? I think I will.
I see it now. Death Cab would be PERFECT if they stopped being such damn wimps. Maybe throw in some screaming here and there, spandex, drum solos, 20 minute guitar epiphanies...
I used to think some songs could be heartfelt and soft-spoken. Now I have seen the light.
Cheers! 
Ever since I first heard 'Styrofoam Plates' I've been hooked. Emotional, whiny, over-wrought, all true assessments. Maybe that's why I really like DCFC.
"Plans" and "Transatlanticism" are two albums that I must listen to start to finish. There aren't many other albums that I can do that with.
DCFC, your band is an empty room.
Who's that singer - Simon, or Garfunkel?
One thing's for sure: Someone got him by the balls!
Whimpy vocals quote is right. Not quiet Petshop boys-whimpyness but close. Not terrible though.
p.s. what is that on the album cover? Macro-Algae?
made me look ... nice song!
trekhead wrote:
Someone pointed out the lead singer was from Postal Service(?)
It is kind of the other way around, but no matter. The song is good.
rather touching video too
(click here)
Seems like a nice band.
Someone pointed out the lead singer was from Postal Service(?), all I hear now.
Cool. Thanks, 8.
'Out on the street are so many possiblities to not be alone.'
penguinja wrote:
I choose to blame the OC. television is not only ruining the minds of our children- it's ruining their taste in music as well
Bzzzzt!!! Try again! I've been listening to them since "Something About Airplanes" which was what...97? 98? Somewhere around there. The OC didn't even exist. Even now, I've never seen a single episode. I won't bother explaining why I like them...everybody has their own likes and dislikes. But I will say that they totally rocked out at Lollapalooza this past weekend. One of my favorite performances along with the Flaming Lips and Gnarls Barkley. Those 3 shows had the most lively audiences.
His voice and their music in general reminds me of the Lightning Seeds. Which is good!
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Less horrible than some of their stuff.
Is this an attempt to become the new Physical genius? If so...good work!!!
meloman wrote:
High praise indeed. I really don't understand why this band gets the rave reviews I've read on this page. Their sound is bland and the music not engaging at all. The term "lead" singer hardly seems to fit...his voice is so insubstantial, as is the overall effect.
I choose to blame the OC. television is not only ruining the minds of our children- it's ruining their taste in music as well
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Less horrible than some of their stuff.
High praise indeed. I really don't understand why this band gets the rave reviews I've read on this page. Their sound is bland and the music not engaging at all. The term "lead" singer hardly seems to fit...his voice is so insubstantial, as is the overall effect.
Less horrible than some of their stuff.
I can't stop to tell everybody here how great this band is...and I measure the size of the band considering the feelings and emotions this band can spread...when I hear a d.c.f.c song (like this one) I can feel my heart so full of thousands emotions....and that what I love in a band! love guys!
the chase is all you know... ok, Death Cab is ok..
I think they'll be better when they mature. 
Very enjoyable live! Recommended
Death Cab is a fantastic band - I've loved them for years! The Photo Album is their best album in my opinion. 
Great song from an absolutely fantastic CD.
Going to see them Sunday night at Cornell... can't wait! Would be cool if they played this one. 
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Wimpy vocals.
Yeah, we need some Death Metal screaming, right? (not)
Wimpy as opposed to what?
This album is so frickin' great. I just can't get over it. I am slowly going back in time and getting into the others.
highwindows wrote:
Just very average!
Or even just a bit below.
I've gotten into Death Cab for Cutie backwards, strating with Plans and going back in time.
I can certainly understand where passionate DCFC fans who started getting into them years ago would be a bit put off by their newest, more mellow stuff.
However, their entire body of work is amazing. These guys have such a perfect blend of instrumentation, electronica, airy vocals and empty space. Transatlanticism is a perfect example-- it gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it.
In summary-- me likey!!
seems to catch the feeling of being freed....taking into account the lyrics, well done death cab!!
Wimpy vocals.
I'm liking these guys!!
Just very average!
I see that Death Cab For Cutie is to be on Austin City Limits on 2/11/06. (click here) my PBS station is showing it on 2/12/06.
Transatlanticism
How could Postal Service be so good, but DCFC be so bad? If you're just getting into DeathCab, don't buy Plans, check out earlier albums first.
Singer is whining like a deflated balloon. Time to meet the big bad world little boy !
good song, solid album.
they also rocked pretty hard live, considering they're an emoish band. would have been nice though if half the crowd wasn't still in highschool...
babyarm
Just got this album and this is a good track, but not the best on the album in my opinion. Overall, though, great album. Been listening to it all day. :)
Just for a moment, I thought this was by Michael Penn.
after the first listen, it seems to be lacking the death cab magic. maybe it will grow on me.
I love just about everything from The Postal Service, but most Death Cab leaves me cold. I like this...just not that much.
Cool - if everything on this CD is as good, it'll be going on the dauntingly long list of RP titles I coveteth. 8-<
And all you see
Is where else you could be
When you're at home
Out on the street
Are so many possibilities
To not be alone
I admit to being wrong.