Throw Back Thursday Presents: Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

There's nothing like early 2000's New York City Rock. Along with The Strokes and Interpol, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs led the resurgence of New York City Rock but were often viewed as the more playful and flamboyant group to come out of the scene. While songs like "Heads Will Roll" definitely justify this identity, not to mention front-woman Karen O's elaborate outfits and antics, it is "Maps" that displays the range the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have. "Maps" is a cathartic tune about regret and longing that plays at your heart strings with terse lyrics, melancholic and alternating chords that creates empathetic sense of feeling for the listener. 

From their debut album, Fever to Tell "Maps" is just one of the few tracks that brought the Yeah Yeah Yeahs into the spotlight. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' impact is definitely seen in more obscure bands who may be considered "art bands" but mostly these groups are just the alternative bands who want to party. While The Strokes and Interpol were the cool bands, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and even the likes of TV on the Radio, made being weird and avant garde fun with more upbeat and nuanced approaches to their efforts. Also, Karen O as an influential figure, rocks harder than all of the boys around her. No one comes close to her performances and magnetizing antics as she has been able to steal the show and make love to the stage. However her outwardly performances may be, her notable influence stems from her song writing ability, clearly exhibited by "Maps."

While the verse, "Wait/They don't love you like I love you" is repeated throughout the song, its meaning becomes emphasized and has its own unique sentiment. While the theme of regret is clear, as the song progresses, that regret has the ability to move and develop into another feeling. With this shifting meaning of "Maps" in mind, it can be perceived that Karen O is speaking of jealousy, insecurities, fear or recognition of a building emotion or feeling for this person that had not been previously discovered. The song apparently is inspired by Karen O's breakup, and is described with the conflicting yet ever-present feelings that embody such a complexing time.