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Album: Narrow Stairs
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2160









Released: 2008
Length: 3:45
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Cath...
She stands with a well intentioned man
But she can't relax with his hand on the small of her back
As the flashbulbs burst she holds a smile
Like someone would hold a crying child

Soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cos your heart was dying fast
And you didn't know what to do

Cath...
It seemed that you live in someone else's dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
With the things that could have been are repressed
But you said your vows and you closed the door
On so many men who would've loved you more

Soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cos your heart was dying fast
And you didn't know what to do

The whispers that it won't last roll up and down the pews
And if your hearts were dying that fast
They would have done the same as you
And I would've done the same as you
Comments (168)add comment
Do not ask me why: this one always make me remember of Interstate love Song by Stone Temple Pilots... smells like America's 90 music....
 Hippostar wrote:

Of course she should really be with a "sensitive" dude like you because you understand her.


funny, i read it as a great friend who knows who she loved and why she is settling for someone she doesn't love. am sad for the groom

 Proclivities wrote:


That may be the first time I saw that criticism here.  Usually it's "this singer mumbles" or "doesn't enunciate".


Except for Gibbard's habit of eliding an ending  "t" with the word "you" 
So , "that you"  becomes "tha chew". 
Sorry. Maybe you'll never be able to un-hear it.
 Relayer wrote:

Great lyrics, captures what I have seen on many occasions; a woman who settled for so much less than she deserves in love.  




 been there.
 a_geek wrote:

Pardon me, but who is this "Cath" the song is about, and what did she do?



idk, maybe she left him, killed him, died or killed herself? i wish i knew.
 lathyris wrote:

Just need to add this: Heathcliff was an ass.




 great comment.
Made an entire song about his catheter - he must really be fond of it.
Of course she should really be with a "sensitive" dude like you because you understand her.
I like this song, but my wife's name is Cathi and I cringe whenever this song comes on when we're together.  Ugh.  I love you Cathi.
Thanks RP for turning me on to this band! Great tunes!
Pardon me, but who is this "Cath" the song is about, and what did she do?
 frisbeepilot wrote:

His diction is just too perfect. I can't handle it.



That may be the first time I saw that criticism here.  Usually it's "this singer mumbles" or "doesn't enunciate".
 pawelcitak83 wrote:

I thought its placebo



Good try
 Relayer wrote:

Great lyrics, captures what I have seen on many occasions; a woman who settled for so much less than she deserves in love.  

Yeah, the lyrics are pretty tough. Hard to listen to, but in the best sort of way.
c.


Great lyrics, captures what I have seen on many occasions; a woman who settled for so much less than she deserves in love.  
His diction is just too perfect. I can't handle it.
This one is a cross between Stone Temple Pilots and Band of Horses.   Nah, they aint all like that. Just a smoke-filled-air observation.   
Anybody associated with the Bonzo's, in any way, cannot be all bad
Love this one, especially since it's named after me! 
 pawelcitak83 wrote:
I thought its placebo
 
LOL
too tragic
Thought it was Modest Mouse until the vocals kicked in
Took me a long time to come around to these guys, now I love them.  I credit that to Radio Paradise.
I thought its placebo
 Dave_Mack wrote:
I'm not a DCfC fan, but this one is special. I'll give it an 8.
 
ditto.

 BCarn wrote:
I always miss knowing about these bands until about 6 years later. wtf??
 
Better late than never!

IMO: This album is especially good!
I'm not a DCfC fan, but this one is special. I'll give it an 8.
Great track.


Thanks RP (@BillG) for helping me discover them.
I always miss knowing about these bands until about 6 years later. wtf??
I love the percussion on this one.  I'm happy to get tickets to see them here in January, something to look forward to in the New Year.

edit:  they were great live too.  Monstrous bass shook the venue...
 Ihatethissong wrote:
Not a dcfc fan but I like this one.  It's got more meat on it.  To my ears it sounds a bit Built To Spill-ish.
 
Wouldn't have made that comparison, but yeh, I get it, and like this song more for it. Though not as much as anything that Doug Martsch has written.
 pinto wrote:

Let's add China Grove, Sweet Home Alabama and Bohemian Rhapsody while we're at it.

 
Radar Love
 Proclivities wrote:

No song has been more overplayed than "Stairway To Heaven" — "Free Bird", "Layla" or Pink Floyd's "Money" may be close.
 
Let's add China Grove, Sweet Home Alabama and Bohemian Rhapsody while we're at it.
 echoes wrote:

I'd say more like Al Stewart.
 
that is spot on.
If you like Death Cab for Cutie I highly recommend watching the youtube video of their live set at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Absolutely stunning.
ilikeitalot
 coolpeople_rule wrote:
Awesome music paired with great lyrics...so close to Nirvana imho...in their own way.

 
I like them both

Great song! Has anyone heard his side project= The Postal Service?

Awesome awesome awesome


 echoes wrote:

I'd say more like Al Stewart.
 
Maybe why I like it.
Awesome music paired with great lyrics...so close to Nirvana imho...in their own way.
 Proclivities wrote:

No song has been more overplayed than "Stairway To Heaven" — "Free Bird", "Layla" or Pink Floyd's "Money" may be close.


 

can't say I love it, however as a disabled shut in, non com. radio listener this is my first exposer to this tune. I stay on R.P. 24/7. LAYLA, AND MONEY CAN PLAY AS MUCH AS NEEDED, STAIRWAY TO CRAP CAN LEAVE.......{#Dance}
I loved seeing Death Cab for Cutie, nail this song live in the studio on this youtube link.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bllo6dHnZ70

{#Drummer}

This song by DC I really like....  What's happening??  {#Nyah}
I might have to go back and give these guys another go. This is damn good.{#Music}
Great guitar tone on the intro... 2 amps blended for sure...
Just need to add this: Heathcliff was an ass.
By far not their best on this album!
The most interesting and energetic tune I've heard from this band. I like the 'flam' snare happening during the verse. Quite nice. 
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 echoes wrote:

I'd say more like Al Stewart.


Good call. Definitely hear the similarity.

 RadioDoc wrote:
I can mute this song in three notes...

(Ya think we can move on now?  This is overplayed more than Stairway to Heaven ever was.)

 
No song has been more overplayed than "Stairway To Heaven" — "Free Bird", "Layla" or Pink Floyd's "Money" may be close.

One of the very best tracks on the album.  There are a couple of duds which I tend to give the cold shoulder, but Cath stands out.  Excellent story, too.

8.

 WayUpNorth wrote:
May have been overplayed at some time in the past, but it sounds awfully good this afternoon {#Sunny}
 
I agree with your comment and with your sunshine smiley!

May have been overplayed at some time in the past, but it sounds awfully good this afternoon {#Sunny}
 Valley_Boy wrote:
Anyone else think of the Bluebells when they hear this song?

"Cath, Whoa-o-o, It takes a lot to make me laugh, Whoa-o-o"

Have not heard that song for ages.
 
I uploaded it way back.
It met a sad ending.

Still gets me off!         {#Music}

Death Cab for Cutie's best song....... but the learning curve from here is rather vicious, as they are subjected to the dreaded " New Wimps of the 21st Century's" top spot in competition with Belle & Sebastian.


Anyone else think of the Bluebells when they hear this song?

"Cath, Whoa-o-o, It takes a lot to make me laugh, Whoa-o-o"

Have not heard that song for ages.
 adroc wrote:

Go back to programming your Clear Channel station.

 
This is on Clear Channel stations every half hour.  Go listen to it there.

 Rick_V wrote:
My favorite song of 2008. Amazing arrangement.
 
I agree...a really distinctive track.  8

My favorite song of 2008. Amazing arrangement.
cool song. i gave it a 9. {#Drummer}
 RadioDoc wrote:
I can mute this song in three notes...

(Ya think we can move on now?  This is overplayed more than Stairway to Heaven ever was.)

 
Go back to programming your Clear Channel station.

Not their best and WAY overplayed
 JohnBauer wrote:
Does the voice on this remind anyone of "Yes?"
 
I'd say more like Al Stewart.

Death Sentence for Death Cab. {#Skull}
I'm in no way a Death Cab fan, but this one song really makes me put on the headphones and listen for the duration.
Every time this gets played I have to resist the strong urge to reduce my RP contribution by $5.  Instead I just turn off the stream and try to forget how bloody annoying this band is.

Too bad these folks can't get regular airplay so they get obscenely overplayed here.
Has a sort of Band of Horses feel to it.
Still not won over...{#Hand}
I've always loved the poetic quality of DC4C's lyrics.
 drictor wrote:

No way.  I wasn't a Death Cab fan until this last album came out, but pretty much the whole album is really good.  Check it out.

 
same here.

Same. Was never a fan. But this song won me over.
 drictor wrote:

No way.  I wasn't a Death Cab fan until this last album came out, but pretty much the whole album is really good.  Check it out.

 
I second that, the album is a strong one. However, I'm still not a great fan of the singer's voice. {#Think}
awesome!

 
scraig wrote:
Free concert in Santa Barbara tonight! How cool is that!
 


 RadioDoc wrote:

The story is these guys have one song.

 
No way.  I wasn't a Death Cab fan until this last album came out, but pretty much the whole album is really good.  Check it out.

Free concert in Santa Barbara tonight! How cool is that!
 jagdriver wrote:

Yeah....R-I-G-H-T!   

(What're YOU smokin'?)

 
I guess you don't listen much.

 RadioDoc wrote:
(This is overplayed more than Stairway to Heaven ever was.)
 
Yeah....R-I-G-H-T!   

(What're YOU smokin'?)

VOLUME UP
 lixy wrote:
Sounds like early Placebo to me.
 
Yep, I'm with you on that.   
 
 
Love the drum/bass combination in this.  Simple but effective.

 robco1 wrote:
How many songs about the girl who married someone else has this band penned? Must be a story there . . . {#Ask}
 
The story is these guys have one song.

I can mute this song in three notes...

(Ya think we can move on now?  This is overplayed more than Stairway to Heaven ever was.)

How many songs about the girl who married someone else has this band penned? Must be a story there . . . {#Ask}
Love the rhythm of this!

 kaybee wrote:

Wow, incredible lyrics.  Thanks for posting them!
 
For sure! one of my favorite things about Death Cab is their lyrics.

 a_genuine_find wrote:
she stands with a well-intentioned man
But she can't relax with his hand on the small of her back
And as the flash bulbs burst
She holds a smile like someone would hold a crying child

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

it seems that you live in someone else's dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
Where the things that could have been are oppressed
But you said your vows, and you closed the door
On so many men who would have loved you more

 
Wow, incredible lyrics.  Thanks for posting them!


she stands with a well-intentioned man
But she can't relax with his hand on the small of her back
And as the flash bulbs burst
She holds a smile like someone would hold a crying child

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

it seems that you live in someone else's dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
Where the things that could have been are oppressed
But you said your vows, and you closed the door
On so many men who would have loved you more

{#Music} LOVE this song! saw them live in St. Louis (they were awesome live, by the way, if you get a chance, take it) and I've loved this entire album since then.

Sounds like early Placebo to me.

Feels a bit like Smashing Pumpkins.


 brown1971 wrote:
If Dexter had a band, it would be DCFC. Yes, I feel like their songs are written by a sociopath; they seem emotionally hollow.

Go ahead hate me...

 
done


Never been a Deathcab fan. But this song won me over. Also heard a great interview with them while travelling in London. Great group of guys with no tude.

Catchy music; sad lyrics....like most Death Cab songs.  But I like it.

Growing. On. Me. 7 {#Arrow} 8

 lalalisa25 wrote:

YAY! Slovakia!

I have family there... have yet to visit.  Want to very much though.

Ako so mas? {#Smile}
 
Ďakujem, dobre. {#Wink}  I've just upgraded this song's rating from 7 to 8, so that's a good sign.

(I barely noticed your reply. I wish this forum sent email notifications whenever a reply is posted to a song that you've already commented upon. There aren't any such notifications here, I'm afraid?! No lively discussion and exchange of opinions can really take place unless you're notified of new replies...) {#Sad}


brown1971 wrote:
Yes, I feel like their songs are written by a sociopath; they seem emotionally hollow.
Those two traits are not mutually exclusive.  Play-by-numbers, sterile arrangements with shallow "lite FM" lyrics.  About as cynically commercial as you can get.


jagdriver
(The aptly-named Grass Valley, CA)
Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 12:32 < Reply | Edit | Delete >

 jagdriver wrote: Just a sucker for power chords...
 
{#Iamwithstupid}
{#Iamwithstupid}
If Dexter had a band, it would be DCFC. Yes, I feel like their songs are written by a sociopath; they seem emotionally hollow.

Go ahead hate me...

 Faterson wrote:
<>

ROFL! I usually argue with myself, but it's nice to see some inner harmony around here. (On-topic: a good song, currently a 7 for me, with 8 not impossible at a later point in time.)

 
YAY! Slovakia!

I have family there... have yet to visit.  Want to very much though.

Ako so mas? {#Smile}
Great song, great CD, great group.{#Clap}
 greener wrote:
Wait, did you just quote yourself?

 
AliGator wrote:

Um, yeah. Ditto.

 
 
I did!

I learned to play this over the past few days.  Helps in my appreciation.   So ... from a 9 to a 10.


"Cath..." is my favorite song of 2008. Incredible arrangement.


Guitar work on this reminds me a lot of Smashing Pumkins Siamese Dream - an enduring album of the late 90s, IMHO.
 greener wrote:
Wait, did you just quote yourself?

 
AliGator wrote:

Um, yeah. Ditto.

 
 
{#Lol}

i love that she did that!! but i'll quote her too. um, yeah, ditto.

<<Wait, did you just quote yourself?>>

ROFL! I usually argue with myself, but it's nice to see some inner harmony around here. (On-topic: a good song, currently a 7 for me, with 8 not impossible at a later point in time.)

 jagdriver wrote:
Just a sucker for power chords...
 
{#Iamwithstupid}

Wait, did you just quote yourself?

 
AliGator wrote:

Um, yeah. Ditto.

 


Powerful song.  As a woman I understand.
 AliGator wrote:
This song is really growing on me, and I mean that in a good way.
 
Just the opposite here... I am getting really sick of this song despite originally liking it.

 AliGator wrote:
This song is really growing on me, and I mean that in a good way.
 
Um, yeah. Ditto.

Quite good

What's up with everything I've heard on this new DCFC being so good? I've always kinda dug 'em, but this new stuff is REALLY good.


This song is really growing on me, and I mean that in a good way.
Alpine wrote:

Yeah, somebody's got to keep an eye on me. Might as well be me.



I wish I had your self discipline - I pretty much have to depend on the wife to keep an eye on me. . .

{#Beat}


sounds placebo-eske
I really enjoy this one   {#Music}