i interviewed James Murphy for DJmag when this came out and asked him whether it was dangerous putting humour into songs and he told me that the message in this is totally serious. he did feel washed up, and to a degree he was. his band had split and he was starting all over again.
obviously the stuff about being at the Suicide practices isn't for real, but is a way of demonstrating that no matter where you've been, you can still come crashing out of the inner circle.
it's all brilliant, but my favourite line is where he admits that the people that have surpassed him are "actually really, really nice." that stops it being bitter and makes the song gives the song a sad edge to go against the humour.
there are so many jokes hidden in this for people who love music that that adds another level to everything. throw in the list of his records at the end and you've got a song that works on so many levels.
i'd rate this as perhaps the best song this century, especially as the production is mindblowing. this record started this current wave of indie dance music. back in 2001 (or there abouts) james told me he wanted to make dance music that was also punk rock - not just layer beats under guitars or lay guitars over a dance track. with this, and House Of Jealous Lovers by The Rapture (which he and Tim Goldsworthy produced as the DFA), he totally achieved that aim.
PS The DFA mix of Dare by the Gorillaz is up there with the best remixes ever. James Murphy is, in my opinion, the most important man in music today. i'm quite a fan.
i interviewed James Murphy for DJmag when this came out and asked him whether it was dangerous putting humour into songs and he told me that the message in this is totally serious. he did feel washed up, and to a degree he was. his band had split and he was starting all over again.
obviously the stuff about being at the Suicide practices isn't for real, but is a way of demonstrating that no matter where you've been, you can still come crashing out of the inner circle.
it's all brilliant, but my favourite line is where he admits that the people that have surpassed him are "actually really, really nice." that stops it being bitter and makes the song gives the song a sad edge to go against the humour.
there are so many jokes hidden in this for people who love music that that adds another level to everything. throw in the list of his records at the end and you've got a song that works on so many levels.
i'd rate this as perhaps the best song this century, especially as the production is mindblowing. this record started this current wave of indie dance music. back in 2001 (or there abouts) james told me he wanted to make dance music that was also punk rock - not just layer beats under guitars or lay guitars over a dance track. with this, and House Of Jealous Lovers by The Rapture (which he and Tim Goldsworthy produced as the DFA), he totally achieved that aim.
PS The DFA mix of Dare by the Gorillaz is up there with the best remixes ever. James Murphy is, in my opinion, the most important man in music today. i'm quite a fan.