Lyric discussion by jrenaye 

Cover art for The Employment Pages lyrics by Death Cab for Cutie

we spread out and occupy the cracks in the urban streets *meaning- Ben and his band want to cover more ground so death cab is now traveling trying to get actual gigs by performing in the city on the sidewalk for cash

Idle now, I rearranged the furniture as you sleep, as you sleep, as you sleep *meaning Ben is unemployed, so he pursues a music career day in and day out hoping things will turn out in his favor. At night Ben rearranges the furniture in order to have enough space for the band and the equipment.

Its so appropriate, the way we amplify the sound,

  • meaning- the time is right the girlfriend is gone off to work, so now the band can practice. but are practicing very loudly

And then the neighbors drop by and they ask to turn it down again *self explanatory

We spread out and everyone is frightfully more aware. *meaning- the band is out again performing in the city on the sidewalk for cash and they're building a buzz very quickly.

So impressed, the cocktail politics and obscure details.

  • meaning- feeling reassured getting more cash than before so they buy drinks with it and talk about things that aren't important

Its so appropriate, the way we amplify the sound,

  • meaning- certain circumstances prevail, the time is right the girlfriend is gone off to work, the band is practicing loud again

And then the neighbors drop by and they ask to turn it down again *self explanatory

And it was true that I was truly failing. *meaning- Ben is admitting to being unsuccessful in what he had set out to do which was to find a job

You were gone and I was home calling around, *pleading with his girlfriend saying that he was making attempts to get a job when she was out

But nothing was found worthwhile. *meaning- none of the job were worth the time

we spread out and occupy the cracks in the urban streets *meaning- Ben and his band want to cover more ground so death cab is now traveling trying to get actual gigs by performing in the city on the sidewalk for cash

Idle now, I rearranged the furniture as you sleep, as you sleep, as you sleep *meaning Ben is unemployed, so he pursues a music career day in and day out hoping things will turn out in his favor. At night Ben rearranges the furniture in order to have enough space for the band and the equipment.