Feature Photo: Maj.l / Shutterstock.com
Our Death Cab For Cutie songs article looks at one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the last twenty years who were first formed in 1997. It was originally a solo project formed by vocalist Ben Gibbard who then decided to expand it into a full band when he signed his first record deal.
Their debut album Something About Airplanes was released in 1998. After releasing two more albums, their fourth album Transatlanticism released in 2003 became their breakthrough record due to several of its songs being used on film and tv soundtracks, something which the band has always made use of throughout their career. In total they have released nine albums the latest of which was Thank You For Today in 2018.
Death Cab For Cutie’s music is a unique mix of alternative rock, pop and emo. They have an unconventional style of instrumentation and Gibbard, who is the primary songwriter, has a very unique style of singing and lyric writing. Here is a list of their ten best cuts.
# 10 – For What Reason
Kicking off our Death Cab For Cutie songs list we have this song from the band’s second album released in 2000 titled We Have The Facts and Were Voting Yes which is a break-up song, something which the band have proved themselves to be masters of over the years. The song naturally has a downbeat feel, as does the rest of the album.
# 9 – Marching Bands of Manhattan
Up next is the opening track of Death Cab’s 2005 major label debut Plans. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Association Industry of America. In 2006, it was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album at the 48th annual Grammy Music Awards.
# 8 – Soul Meets Body
The song was the first single to be released from Plans. In the US, it is the band’s second highest charting single. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Charts. It has been certified gold by the RIAA. It was well received critically and was used in a couple of tv shows such as How I Met Your Mother and The OC.
# 7 – Title and Registration
The track was the third single from Transatlanticism. It was initially released as an internet only single with promotional copies being released in CD. Due to its complex arrangements, the song has been performed live in a variety of ways. The song had a unique video which saw Ben Gibbard receiving a heart transplant performed by the other band members where he is still able to sing and be calm despite not being given any aesthetic or being on any form of life support. The reason for this is because his insides are revealed to be made of paper and model organs (only in the video of course!)
# 6 – The Sound of Settling
Here we have the second single from Transatlanticism. It reached number eighty-four on the UK Singles Chart and was one of many Death Cab For Cutie songs to be featured on various movie soundtracks and in particular The OC. The song is one of the more upbeat in the Death Cab catalogue.
# 5 – Gold Rush
Kicking off the second half of this list we have the lead single from Death Cab’s ninth and most recent album Thank You For Today released in 2018. The song was originally recorded as a demo that the band did not initially plan to develop into anything else but we persuaded to by the album’s producer Rich Costley.
# 4 – Meet Me On The Equinox
Up next we have a song that is possibly the band’s best known song due to its appearance on the soundtrack to “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” It debuted at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards and the video for it was broadcast soon after. Like several of the song’s on the soundtrack, it was composed specifically for it after the band had been presented with scenes from it.
Although guitarist Chris Walla stated that he had read some of the “Twilight” books, Ben Gibbard admitted that he had not and that the lyrics he wrote were personal and not about the fictional world created by Stephenie Meyer. The song is rather reminiscent of the British band Placebo and was praised by several critics for its eerie guitar sound. It got to number eight on the US Billboard Charts and number eight-six in the UK.
# 3 – I Will Possess Your Heart
At number three is the lead single from the album Narrow Stairs released in 2008 which is one of the band’s longest songs at eight minutes long, the first five minutes of which are purely instrumental. Also, its music video required location filming across four different continents. There is also a shorter four minute radio edit version. The song was critically acclaimed upon its release and was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for best Rock Song.
The video also won several accolades including the MTV Video Award for Best Editing and being nominated for the Best Cinematography Award. This was well deserved as the video truly is a great achievement, being filmed in New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, as well as several other places across the world. The song itself is also very well done, having a dark feel to it and being about someone who is in an obsessive relationship.
# 2 – Crooked Teeth
Just off the top spot is the second single from Plans. When the single was released it featured the B side “Talking Like Turnstiles” as well as a cover of the Julian Cope song “World Shut Your Mouth” which had originally been released two years earlier as the B-side to the internet-only single “Title and Registration” which is a previous entry on this list. As a single it got to number ten on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks and is the band’ seventh highest charting single. Ben Gibbard has stated that the lyrics are inspired by Raymond Craver who is one of his favourite writers.
# 1 – You Are A Tourist
At the top spot is the lead single of Death Cab For Cutie’s seventh album Codes and Keys released in 2011. It topped the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart as well as the Adult Alternative Songs chart and the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It also reached number three on the Billboard Rock Charts. It is their first and so far only number one hit. The original demo for the song contained a sample of Orchestral Manoeuvers In The Dark’s “Dazzle Ships.” The song was developed rather late into the recording process of the album. When it was coming together the band stated that they knew they had a hit on their hands, and they were right.
Top 10 Death Cab For Cutie Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business or any organizations is allowed to republish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
