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Death Cab for Cutie — Your Heart Is an Empty Room
Album: Plans
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1779









Released: 2005
Length: 3:33
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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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
Comments (88)add comment
 nottheusualkind wrote:

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.
Posted 1 month ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 1 month ago by brosen    [ Reply ]
 nlarsen1 wrote:

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?
Posted 5 months ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 11 months ago by nlarsen1    [ Reply ]
 nottheusualkind wrote:

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 a play more and that it is bringing you much joy.
Posted 1 year ago by ed_cardiff    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

So all great albums were made by bad groups?  That's ... quite a statement.


No, that's your statement dipshit!
Posted 1 year ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 1 year ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from U2's One
Posted 2 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by bennie482    [ Reply ]
NICE!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 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?!)

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
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!
Posted 2 years ago by SlinkyJ2020    [ Reply ]
 nottheusualkind wrote:
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!
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a Poundland Elliott Smith.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Michael Penn. Oh, how about some Michael Penn sometime?
Posted 4 years ago by CaraP    [ Reply ]
Beats Billy Evelash all over the place
Posted 4 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
 darcand wrote:
Awful band name.
 


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

Posted 4 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
 jmddj wrote:
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.
 
What a great comment!
Posted 4 years ago by SurfDoc    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 4 years ago by nottheusualkind    [ Reply ]
 Michaeljcovel wrote:
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.
Posted 5 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 5 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 6 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
And that's why I can't stand them.  Stupid band name, too. They should go on tour with Sufjan Stevens — WussFest 2017! {#Dancingbanana_2}

 cc_rider wrote:
Emotional, whiny, over-wrought, all true assessments. Maybe that's why I really like DCFC.
 

Posted 7 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
 youngj wrote:
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.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Awful band name.
Posted 7 years ago by darcand    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is just 'orrible.
Posted 8 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 bizon wrote:
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?
Posted 9 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Sounds like band of horses
Posted 11 years ago by Cadger    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys last week for the first time when they passed through town. Very, very impressive. 
Posted 11 years ago by 84MacGuy    [ Reply ]
Ah ha!  I knew it! Death Cab for Cutie.
Posted 13 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]

Sometimes, just reading comments from folks can be as entertaining as the music. Very often, funny stuff!


Posted 13 years ago by ARTICULA    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
like it!  i loved transatlanticism..but didn't give subsequent releases the same kind of attention...should I?
Posted 13 years ago by stevepants    [ Reply ]
...such a good album.
Posted 13 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
 bizon wrote:
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.
Posted 14 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by bizon    [ Reply ]
not-a-fish wrote:
...20 minute guitar epiphanies...
I love that expression!
Posted 15 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Kerly wrote:
Posted 16 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Death Cab For Cutie - Your Heart Is an Empty Room Garbage - Bleed Like Me Nada Surf - Always Love Thanks, my morning sweet rocks!
Posted 16 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
Will we like this song 10 years from now? I think I will.
Posted 16 years ago by youngj    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 16 years ago by not-a-fish    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
"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.
Posted 17 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
DCFC, your band is an empty room.
Posted 17 years ago by Chumbawamba-1984    [ Reply ]
Who's that singer - Simon, or Garfunkel? One thing's for sure: Someone got him by the balls!
Posted 17 years ago by caetydid    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 17 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
made me look ... nice song!
Posted 17 years ago by undo_silence    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
rather touching video too (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by mattg    [ Reply ]
Seems like a nice band.
Posted 17 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
Someone pointed out the lead singer was from Postal Service(?), all I hear now. Cool. Thanks, 8.
Posted 17 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
'Out on the street are so many possiblities to not be alone.'
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by StellarSwarm    [ Reply ]
His voice and their music in general reminds me of the Lightning Seeds. Which is good!
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Less horrible than some of their stuff.
Is this an attempt to become the new Physical genius? If so...good work!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Farquwaar    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 17 years ago by penguinja    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Less horrible than some of their stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
the chase is all you know... ok, Death Cab is ok.. I think they'll be better when they mature.
Posted 17 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Very enjoyable live! Recommended
Posted 17 years ago by pousso    [ Reply ]
Death Cab is a fantastic band - I've loved them for years! The Photo Album is their best album in my opinion.
Posted 17 years ago by tesserakt    [ Reply ]
Great song from an absolutely fantastic CD.
Posted 18 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
Going to see them Sunday night at Cornell... can't wait! Would be cool if they played this one.
Posted 18 years ago by RBS76    [ Reply ]
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Wimpy vocals.
Yeah, we need some Death Metal screaming, right? (not) Wimpy as opposed to what?
Posted 18 years ago by StevenQ    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
highwindows wrote:
Just very average!
Or even just a bit below.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
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!!
Posted 18 years ago by fifteendays    [ Reply ]
seems to catch the feeling of being freed....taking into account the lyrics, well done death cab!!
Posted 18 years ago by beatjunkie    [ Reply ]
Wimpy vocals.
Posted 18 years ago by Tireux_De_Roche    [ Reply ]
I'm liking these guys!!
Posted 18 years ago by Peyote    [ Reply ]
Just very average!
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by BruceN    [ Reply ]
Transatlanticism
Posted 18 years ago by Keith_Eel    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by caseycamp    [ Reply ]
Singer is whining like a deflated balloon. Time to meet the big bad world little boy !
Posted 18 years ago by tim_ontario    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 18 years ago by th3boon    [ Reply ]
babyarm
Posted 18 years ago by Glockman45    [ Reply ]
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. :)
Posted 18 years ago by Ladan    [ Reply ]
Just for a moment, I thought this was by Michael Penn.
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
after the first listen, it seems to be lacking the death cab magic. maybe it will grow on me.
Posted 18 years ago by mikedill    [ Reply ]
this is the first dcfc song I've liked
Posted 18 years ago by soulspin    [ Reply ]
I love just about everything from The Postal Service, but most Death Cab leaves me cold. I like this...just not that much.
Posted 18 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
Cool - if everything on this CD is as good, it'll be going on the dauntingly long list of RP titles I coveteth. 8-<
Posted 18 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]