Death Cab for Cutie

Ut! The song is great because a band took its name from it?

This is how great the Bonzos were: Even the merest title of one of their songs is like a mighty oak in which a modern musical group can build a nest.

Seriously, though: if you've never heard the Bonzos, take a bit of time to listen to them. You can't go wrong with the Rhino collection. The Bonzos weren't exactly a super group of their time, but they were definitely more than a footnote. They were an integral part of the vibrant network of new artists of the period; warming up for Cream, forging the odd association with the Fab Four, connections with what became the Monty Python, and on and on.

And, most importantly (and a propos this song), the Bonzo deserve our respect for being a rare thing: a novelty band that did almost zero parody. When people say that Weird Al is a god, I roll my eyes and think of the Bonzos. They set a high standard for novelty tunes that few can match. Death Cab is a case in point. Very period, very clever, very unique, very inspired. Also: Featured in the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour!"

Hey is this where death cab for cutie got their name? i've never heard this song, but i was searching for them...i'm just too absentminded to change 'title' to 'artist' ch ch ch, silly me. oh well, on to better things.

Yeah, this song is where they got their name from.

great song - simply because it gave death cab for cutie its name!

I wonder if Chis Walla, Ben Gibbard, or both of them (being the two who first started the band) decided from the title of this song by Bonzo Dog Band that it would be the name of their band? Either way, it was facinating to k now that song was featured in the show "Do Not Adjust Your Set" that was show which, when John Cleese & others were added, became "Monty Python's Flying Circus", my fave Britcom since 8th grade and the basis for enjoying that series enough to forever sit though endless pledge drives all night to watch "Faulty Towers" marathons and the ledgendary movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail-- watching Monty Python's Flying Circus alone was the catalyst to remember memorable sketches and movies scenes to do them at will to either the delight or annoyance of the people who knew me to love me or lose me based on when I felt acting out lines during times I felt warranted them got the advice of my British Mum doc: Kim, you are a very funny lady, but watch out! Cause one day someone might kill you." As much as that happened like she said that it taught me when it would not I learned to do it when needed and it would not incite murder among those not able to get or didn't want to hear it all the time, as easy for me to slip into a Pythonism much like one liners from Married...With Children or fave SNL sketches. But I think at least Ben and Jason heard that song while watching "Do Not Adjust..." since having seen their documentary, Drive Well, Sleep Carefully, they both admitted their love of BBC comedy, The Office, to admit they both enjoy acting out scenes from that show.

I'm into Death Cab and etc. and interested to hear this song... plus after poking around about them they sound interesting. Where could I hear their music? Pretty obscure... Obscure enough, at least, that I can't find any of their albums in the library system...

Yeah.

My Dad commented on that when I was talking about DCFC (the band) although I've known of (and loved!) the Bonzos for a long time, because my Dad is a massive fan. Anyway, if anyone wants to know about them, there was a anniversary gig that the BBC made. You might find it floating about on the internet.

But yes, I agree that they are a footnote, especially for novelty bands. Parodies aren't particularly inspired, most people could do a parody, the only difficult thing is having the charisma.

And alsooo, this song is lovely. :D.

God bless Vivian Stanshall (RIP), Neil Innes, Rodney "Rhino" Desborough Slater, Roger Ruskin Spear, "Legs" Larry Smith and the other various additional members of the group.

this whole time I thought he was saying "I'm definitely changing" :S I guess im completely wrong (Im such a fool)

I’ve been thinking a lot about; why Death Cab picked this as the 1st single. Because Death Cab for Cutie is a intelligent band, they just don’t make a song for just to have a song.

The reason why they picked this song could be: They don’t want their music to be considered as pop = it’s indie rock! A typical pop song is about 3:45 seconds long, my version of “I will possess your heart” from myspace is 8:35 seconds. It’s not a coincidence that Ben Gibbard sings: “You gotta spend some time love” & “It's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read just yet” = you got to spend some time with their music to understand the contexts!

All your comments about the “bad” intro? There is no doubt about that the intro is essential for the whole context = “You gotta spend some time love, to find love”.

The lyric says it all

Miki Jensen, Qaqortoq, South-Greenland Orsoq@hotmail.com

PS: I just bought the radio-version from iTunes: 3:47 sec. (no intro at all)