alt-J - Taro (Lyrics)

I don't own the music.

[@mvitellaro3322]

Robert Capa (born Endre Ernő Friedmann; October 22, 1913 - May 25, 1954) was a Hungarian-born American war photographer and photojournalist as well as the companion and professional partner of photographer Gerda Taro. He is considered by some to be the greatest combat and adventure photographer in history. Capa fled political repression in Hungary when he was a teenager, moving to Berlin, where he enrolled in college. He witnessed the rise of Hitler, which led him to move to Paris, where he met and began to work with Gerta Pohorylle. Together they worked under the alias Robert Capa and became photojournalists. Though she contributed to much of the early work, she quickly created her own alias 'Gerda Taro' and they began to publish their work separately. He subsequently covered five wars: the Spanish Civil War, the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II across Europe, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and the First Indochina War, with his photos published in major magazines and newspapers. During his career he risked his life numerous times, most dramatically as the only civilian photographer landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He documented the course of World War II in London, North Africa, Italy, and the liberation of Paris. In 1947, for his work recording World War II in pictures, U.S. general Dwight D. Eisenhower awarded Capa the Medal of Freedom. That same year, Capa co-founded Magnum Photos in Paris. The organization was the first cooperative agency for worldwide freelance photographers. Hungary has issued a stamp and a gold coin in his honor. He accompanied a French regiment located in Thái Bình Province with two Time-Life journalists, John Mecklin and Jim Lucas. On 25 May 1954, the regiment was passing through a dangerous area under fire when Capa decided to leave his Jeep and go up the road to photograph the advance. Capa was killed when he stepped on a land mine near the road. He was 40 at the time of his death. He is buried in plot #189 at Amawalk Hill Cemetery. Through his passion, Capa died capturing war like no other. I have always looked up to him as he gave us a personal knowledge of the reality of war. May we all find within us love, peace and empathy towards one another as the opposite does nothing but bring hopelessness and division. This song brings me to a different place and moves me to always want to grow and be grateful for the little things as in some countries songs like this are subject to prison if caught listening to it.

[@sydneysage868]

Thank you so much for this comment!

[@sinofman2479]

Copied from Wikipedia much ?

[@tobiasunbekannt3541]

thank you!

[@liavhanegbi2729]

@@sinofman2479 so what?

[@SM-dw4ox]

OMG... 😭😭😭

[@amine_harb9275]

A very close friend sent me this song to listen to when I get up early in the morning. It was 6am I woke up and I listened to this masterpiece while looking at the sun rising behind a lake. It was the day I started to get out of my depression... Thank you mimi.

[@stela9046]

aww this warmed my heart

[@turkuc_podjadek]

For me it was quite opposite. My girlfriend played me once this song, I told her it sounds interresting. After the time we parted our ways this song always brought me insanely to burst with tears, because it brought me back to the memories of her and pushed me into wide gateways of overthinking, especially these minor tones on cello at the end. Since almost two years I can listen to this song without any emotional reaction but the gratefulness for that, that this hard time of my life is behind me and now I'm free. Despite this, I'm glad about you and I wish you all the best, go on against depression!

[@connor8ball730]

​@@turkuc_podjadek😅 hi

[@vishvasheth5483]

Always have goosebumps. This song is a celebration of reunited lovers after fulfilling their destiny here on earth! Couldn't get any better

[@jessstumbaugh8767]

Yes. Same. Now same.

[@Carlos-yu7bx]

@@jessstumbaugh8767 the depth and feels, but soul mates finding each other tho, can only imagine how much it would man to them trying to put yourself in there shoes. In doing that you feel a deep void and sadness finally being filled. as though he finally got to be with his true love, no matter the situation or circumstance its all that mattered to him after being torn apart.

[@Carlos-yu7bx]

and wow. the feeling and emotion that you feel from it, just wow!

[@plantiscrazy36]

Well yes but always liked the part that was anti war

[@awetistic5295]

"Do not spray into eyes - I have sprayed you into my eyes" - This is easily one of the most beautiful lines I've ever heard. I think it means that Capa could have taken Taro's death as a warning, but instead he decided to keep on going and take it as an inspiration. In the end, both died doing what they were meant to and were reunited in death.

[@jeanpierredurand2100]

that's beautiful

[@dedemushi7824]

thank you. that line made no sense to me until i read your comment. now i love this song.

[@silviaberckmans1803]

Very well understood and I think also since Taro's death, Robert Capa felt really alone as an orphaned childern

[@TheRenFord1]

I still don't understand these lyrics. Do not spray into eyes?

[@awetistic5295]

@@TheRenFord1 "Do not spray into eyes" is a typical warning printed on substances that might be harmful and dangerous. What Taro and Capa did - going to places of war to take photos - was pretty damn dangerous as well. But after surviving a plain crash, they believed nothing could happen to them as long as they were together. Capa was eventually ready to settle down and marry Taro, but she wanted to continue with war photography and went to Spain alone, where she was killed. Now her death could have been a warning to Capa, but it was quite the opposite. He was haunted by guilt because he wasn't with her when she died and after that, he went to the most dangerous places of war. So my interpretation is that instead of taking her death as a warning, "Do not spray into eyes", she was the one that kept him going - "I have sprayed you into my eyes."

[@rosh8833]

The oxymoron between the melody and the actual lyrics and meaning of the song is what always gives me goosebumps. A fucking masterpiece.

[@slopokes6874]

Words cannot f***ing describe how much of a masterpiece of music this is I really cant

[@platitudeomenw441]

I'm with you.... simply brilliant

[@sheepdogministries896]

Beautiful song

[@olivialopez9323]

Absolutely fuckinglutely

[@Rozzylous]

Same 💔

[@sachalebabe]

True

[@user-sh5qv5kv1r]

The moment where you've been vibing to such a happy, pleasant song for years and decide to actually read the lyrics for the first time. DEATH. DISMEMBERMENT. BLOODY CARNAGE SPRAYING EVERYWHERE. And suddenly, my happy little landscape paintings that were created to this song take a dramatic turn for the worst. Alt-J is wildin. 😂

[@karanowlin7926]

Same lol

[@justjaguar2314]

I always vibed to this as a very melancholic song lol but even still, thelyrics did indeed shock me

[@jennyhorsburgh8283]

. Its about a female photographer GerdaTaro and her life partner Robert Capa who both died in a war in the mid 20th century. Gerda died during tbe Battle of Brunete while Robert died several years later in 1954 by stepping on a land mine.

[@droggy23]

thanks

[@sofiaruss8958]

Thanks..I thought it was about some japanese guy named taro..now that I know,the lyrics have become more poignant and meaningful.

[@anemoia303]

A very very long long long youtube channel name thank you

[@otonofleur2413]

Did you like google that or something?

[@rorrt]

Sofia Roux- Gerda Taro wasn't her real name, just as Robert Capa wasn't his. Capa in Swiss means shark. She pretty much created his "brand" to use the vernacular. Before she met her, he wasn't up to much. She made him who he turned out to be. And to rub salt into the wound. It's extremely likely she took most of the photographs which made Capa famous from the Spanish Civil War.

[@jo11951]

i like the way that alt j singing, the way he pronounces the letters, with this strange poet, he sings with harmony and of course great music, i love english music, and english lyrics, its always deep and meaning full. viva for love

[@johnburns7975]

At 68 years old my grandaughters bf and I were listening to and discussing one anothers music. When he played this one for me I instantly fell in love with it. What a beautiful song.

[@TheoFun498]

That's really beautiful.

[@albaloven5737]

The lyric, the melody, the drop are combined together into an insane masterpiece. I'd like to thank a guy who sent me his playlist and let me listen to this extraordinary song in person.

[@awstenknightsgoldenfork4322]

i started crying when i read the meaning behind the lyrics :(

[@Fethiiia]

Me too :c

[@carlishawkins599]

Where do u go to see the meaning of it

[@bruhahaha]

same

[@bruhahaha]

@@carlishawkins599 google

[@jackiemcenany6017]

I've loved this song for years and only just now looked up the lyrics/ meaning and I'm in tears. I love it even more

[@KattVaughan98]

I wish I had friends that loved this type of music as much as me 😩

[@jamesmark4901]

find friends that love this type of music...

[@KattVaughan98]

It's harder than you think dude

[@baurpower028]

@@KattVaughan98I can relate :(

[@Halcyon156]

This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and if you know the story of Capa and Taro it makes it even more hearbreaking.

[@TheoFun498]

What's the story?

[@ryanvaze]

This should be a poem taught at school.

[@jeremykyle123456]

Fun fact:The song was named Taro, The song has a fascinating background story: The song was written about the life and death of the two lovers - Robert Capa and Gerda Taro. Taro was born in 1910 into a Jewish family in Germany. In 1933 she was arrested due to political activities against the Nazi regime.

[@frailty7280]

this really feels like the lyrics were written without the fact it was a song in mind. it really sounds more like a freestyle

[@jblewis5235]

Gonna say this , best lyrics in a song this decade..PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

[@trifalex11]

It’s nice reading comments form ppl that love this kind of music ❤️

[@jenniferthongbam298]

Sure, dude.

[@jessstumbaugh8767]

Same, dude. Same.

[@alejandrabarbosa7201]

it's a masterpiece.

[@Miguel-eh6fo]

Yes, and so you are

[@joavanpuran3495]

long live robert capa. got his leg blown off in by a landmine during the indochina war after jumping from his van to get a closer shot of the war.

[@JR-ek8up]

Joavan Puran Yeah Robert Capa was a fake name that he and is wife invented for his photography, it's so interesting that even his name was influenced by her

[@mishXY]

@@JR-ek8up kinda, they had to occult their names so both of them actually used that name in the beginning

[@steveallen5581]

This song gets better every time I listen to it. An absolutely amazing piece of songwriting.

[@supedup8831]

The moment that you finnaly understand the lyrics 😂

[@jimenachacon8127]

How tho

[@vanessapalacios7750]

of course, he was saying -capa-..kajajajajajaja

[@SkyJunkie1000]

I donr get the lyrics yet, but love the sonf

[@fionaramage9212]

for those who don't get the lyrics this is taking about the death of Robert Capa an american photographer who walked on a mine during the Indochina war and Taro is Gerda Taro her wife also photographer who died "on the field" too in Spain in 1937

[@demitidodaaloja2]

Nicee DUde! Ty so much!

[@bradencarrigan27]

This song gives me chills, even at the very start of the song it gives me eargasms.. Beautiful song by a fantastic band..

[@myfrenchiecoeurdonniere4711]

cette chanson a vraiment une âme, j'en ai des frissons à chaque fois

[@taimour8982]

One great masterpiece. probably the best lyrics i have ever read. i think the 3 10 pm and then 3.14(PI) is the time between he died landmine exploded and he lost his leg between these 4 seconds .

[@larrywest2406]

Never seen any artists mentioning the value of pie in their song. 3.1415 = 22/7

[@iworkatapizzaplace]

Literally the best song i’ve been stuck to this song since i started listening to alt j when i was like 13 two years ago like It makes me feel so many things. I keep imagining y’all putting this on private on spotify it scares the shit out of me cuz it’s my #1 comfort song

[@emilyisreading_]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard

[@jaredeckert1990]

I have absolutely loved this song for many years now. After really listening to the lyrics for the first time i was compelled to research various analysis of the song and it blew me away. I'm a photographer and actually know Taro's work. Made my day! Love you guys!

[@manuela4078]

Someone should make a movie about Taro & Capa.... pleaseeee

[@maanyatagandhi7670]

yea and this should be the theme song

[@ChloePricesNumberOneSimp]

Always found this song hauntingly beautiful. And after finding out what it was about It makes sense why.

[@BasVoet]

This is such a beautiful song. And the outro gives me the chills. Amazing.

[@kennethbleyer1980]

Surreal. A perfect tribute to the creator of Magnum. Awesome!

[@Rirah]

Thanks for doing this OP, I loved the song before but I can see now this is just pure genius.

[@ANNISHNEE]

I feel a memory of Iraq and the misunderstood beauty of life colliding like a ballet on water....

[@annamuchachaki]

Listenning to this in 2023 and cant help but believe war is upon us like we hv never seen before...music will live on.

[@allegory4256]

Indochina, Capa jumps Jeep Two feet creep up the road To photo, to record, meat lumps and war They advance as does his chance, ohh Very yellow-white flash A violent wrench grips mass Rips light, tears limbs like rags Burst so high, finally Capa lands Mine is a watery pit Painless with immense distance From medic, from colleague, friend, enemy, foe Him five yards from his leg From you Taro, oh Do not spray into eyes I have sprayed you into my eyes 3:10 p.m. Capa pends death, quivers, last rattles, last chokes All colours and cares glaze to grey Shriveled and stricken to dots The left hand grasps what the body grasps not, ohh Le photographe est mort 3.1415, alive no longer my amour Faded for home May of '54 Doors open like arms, my love Painless with a great closeness To Capa, to Capa Capa dark after nothing Re-united with his leg And with you, Taro, oh Taro, ohh Do not spray into eyes I have sprayed you into my eyes Hey, Taro!

[@Temr351]

This is a masterpiece... I am crying... this was the song whic was going when I became an graduated and last seen my classmates... so nostalgia😢😢😢

[@peacefullnesss]

Reed about what the song is about... you love it even more

[@Kgnsbdj]

I wonder if its just me, but when you drive listening to this song you sort of arrive home and dont realise how you got there

[@quingirrlmsp4551]

YES! SAME!

[@crazyone-eyedman6683]

Somehow don't like that feeling and in the same time I do. Like how

[@walter857]

I just discovered these guys. Pure beauty.

[@auracollins8808]

Amazing voice, damn eargasm

[@elzbietapolska310]

Beautiful music and great video. I can't stop listening.

[@jeremykyle123456]

I get goosebumps when I hear the solo guitar bit love this song it’s so good 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rodo1252]

Without context, the "i have sprayed you into my eyes" is jibberish, but in context, its horrific

[@ApPillon]

The lyrics paint such a vivid video in my mind

[@leenemonster2749]

the most beautiful Song ❤

[@celiatavares3703]

this is my favorite song!!

[@Vega8432]

Celia Tavares yo tambien!

[@FatDadLovesJesus]

Celia Tavares me too

[@maahferraz4261]

Simplesmente amo essa música, viciada nela ❤

[@nickjoga2100]

Tbm

[@phoenixmeth8244]

this is the most beautiful song ive ever listened to

[@GoldenDawnTarot]

This is a masterpiece. Plain and simple.

[@wei446]

1:15 is love

[@yas8759]

Pure love

[@jessstumbaugh8767]

Pura vida.

[@Blue.ninjass]

All these comments make me happy like a deeper knowledge of music its beautiful

[@yorahsweetheart3737]

If this song didn't exist. I would still like Billie Eilish

[@brandonjoseph1489]

I just found god listening to this. Thank you

[@TheDjoul3105]

It's "Le photographe est mort" not " le photographie"

[@rfm1313]

The picture is dead! haha

[@NeonNijahn]

Ohhhh. With that edit now the lyrics finally make sense!

[@paulsozio2488]

Julien Herman and i will give you a 5

[@marleyjp043]

2:05 favourite part

[@kinomiau]

Indo-china, Capa jumps Jeep, two feet creep up the road To photo, to record, meat lumps and war They advance as does his chance, oh, oh Very yellow white flash! A violent wrench grips mass, rips light, tears limbs like rags Burst so high finally Capa lands Mine is a watery pit Painless with immense distance From medic from colleague, friend, enemy, foe, him five yards from his leg From you Taro Oh, oh, oh Do not spray into eyes I have sprayed you into my eyes Three ten Pm Capa pends death, quivers, last rattles, last chokes All colors and cares glaze to grey Shriveled and stricken to dots The left hand grasps what the body grasps not oh, oh Le photographie est mort Three point one four one five, alive no longer my amour Faded for home May of ‘54 Doors open like arms, my love Painless with a great closeness To Capa, to Capa Capa dark after nothing, re-united with his leg And with you Taro, oh, oh, oh Taro, oh, oh, oh Do not spray into eyes I have sprayed you into my eyes Hey Taro!

[@carlishawkins599]

Good for u can spelland type

[@bruhahaha]

wow thanks 😐

[@kneifascc8461]

The song is fantastic but geez this video is an attack to graphic design and good taste

[@kneifascc8461]

oh good, you going to talk about your masters degree in graphic composition and teach me about how good the aesthetics of this video are

[@sirsnake8771]

Kneifas CC nah bro that's a loads of efforts ... Ain't nobody got time for dat

[@kneifascc8461]

no need... actually it would be less work, a simple black background with white typography, no cringy pics/draws, a title without a window: done, your video is simple and not ugly af

[@Hoonters-goona-Hoont]

Kneifas CC Not that I disagree as a GD student, but who the fuck shat into your cereal bowl that morning mate? :P

[@jonesy2260]

HOONTERS GONNA HOONT Hahahhahahhahahhahahahahahahahhahahhahahahhahahhahahahhahahahha I think I just pissed myself laughing!! O fuck

[@jessstumbaugh8767]

Lyrixssss. Thank you 🙏

[@evarodriguezeptx7046]

I think when it says "do not spray into my eyes, I have sprayed you into my eyes" he's saying when hes photographing them , not to spray blood in his eyes, and when he got blown up, he say he has sprayed them into his eyes by getting blown up ? Almost makes sense...lol

[@nocre2948]

Hahaha maybe but I rather think that it relates to warning placed on toxic substances - spraying one into your eyes makes you blind so if he 'sprayed' Taro into his eyes he is blind because of love

[@paulineisme]

Freaky the song is about 20th century war photographers amd life partners Gerda Taro and Robert Capa who died in different battles

[@nocre2948]

I know that and what I've written above is a true sense of a phrase " do not spray into eyes, I have sprayed you into my eyes "

[@awetistic5295]

I think it means that Taro's death could have been a warning for him, but instead he takes it as an inspiration to keep on going until he's finally reunited with her. Taro was warned many times that she was going too far, taking too many risks, but she never stopped doing what she felt she was born for. Capa decided to do the same. It is so very beautiful.

[@nocre2948]

Might be. " Do not spray into eyes" is just on many tins so it's easy to understand that comparison to love

[@PGurgelSegrillo]

So beautiful and terribly sad

[@sosok4225]

Only this song treats my deppresion

[@anacarolinasantos6819]

I don't know If you tried a treatment or have any kind off support, but If you can search for professional help, to get the propper treatment you need. And of course don't stop listening this (amazing) and other songs, or whatever makes you feel better. Wish you the best and sincerely hope everything goes right for you :)

[@danialsharom3237]

god bless the lyrics

[@seadmemeti4684]

Masterpiece !!!

[@marilenaonorato9288]

This song is just moving. Stop all wars.

[@aliceplamedie5147]

Literally had no idea this was what the hell he says 🤣🤣🤣 I made up my own words for yeaaaaars

[@TrendingTunez]

Taro died 17 years before Capa

[@samuelmartineau-lepine4360]

great video!

[@aarni1809]

Really beautiful song

[@nomoahkeeiiimm9395]

Im most likely wrong. However, "do not spray into eyes, i have sprayed you into my eyes," means, the idea of a photograph being taken between 2 people??!? I really want to understand that part because it builds up that really sweet riff.

[@nomoahkeeiiimm9395]

Or better stated, the idea of someone taking a photograph of another person who is staring at them?!?

[@aayushdeepak5755]

Basically the song is about Robert capa and his wife gerad taro. Who are partners and professional war "photographers" who were filming the footage of the war in Vietnam while taro died during the war her husband stepped on a land mine. The spray into eyes reference refers to the irony of the flash of the mine's explosion during him taking his pictures using well of course his camera flash.

[@nocre2948]

I rather think that it relates to warning placed on toxic substances - spraying one into your eyes makes you blind so if he 'sprayed' Taro into his eyes he is blind because of love

[@FatDadLovesJesus]

Aayush Deepak oh wow

[@awetistic5295]

I think it means that Capa could have taken Taro's death as a warning, but he decided to take it as an inspiration to keep on going. In the end, both died doing what they felt they were born for.

[@missbebop7941]

Sevdiğin kişiye bir kez daha ulaşamamanın, konuşamayacağını bilmenin hüznü...

[@evarodriguezeptx7046]

Can’t get enough!

[@zeddy2284]

even with the lyrics it's so hard to tell what hes saying lol but its great

[@vishvasheth5483]

The song was written about the life and death of the two lovers - Robert Capa and Gerda Taro. Taro was born in 1910 into a Jewish family in Germany. In 1933 she was arrested due to political activities against the Nazi regime. After Taro was released, she fled to Paris, where she met Robert Capa. Capa, Hungarian born Jew (who was born named Andrew Friedman), fled to Germany and then to Paris in 1933 as well, where he continued his career as a photographer of war. Over time, the young couple fell in love, and with this love, Taro Love has emerged to Capa’s profession of war photography. Within a few years she mastered the profession and became one of the first women in the field of war photography, and sadly at the age of 27 she was the first woman that was killed while fulfilling her job (in the Barnett 1937 as part of the Spanish Civil War). Kappa paid this heavy psychological cost - not only lost the the love of his life, he also blamed himself for her death - since he was not there with her. Despite the loss and pain, Capa went on to document the Spanish Civil War till the end of the war. Capa photographed many more wars, including World War II. Capa was killed in the line of duty as a photographer War Indochina War in 1954, at age 40, when he ran over a mine.

[@CindyGate]

Best song ever

[@rauanaebbs8060]

Amazing love this song this band

[@pillowshoes]

2:56

[@vaporwavesoul8577]

jillian johnson MY FAVOURITE PART

[@MinaFem]

The moment you read the lyrics and still don't understand a thing 😂

[@mishXY]

go on genius dot com, every word has a deeper meaning behind it, and for once it is not people trying to find a deeper meaning in a backwards drake song

[@lukas4344]

MrTJMishRat good reply😂😂😂😂

[@MrJameschance]

you probably did the research needed

[@yadipstick]

Google Gerda Taro and Robert Capa. Then you'll know.

[@etoiledhiver]

so terrific

[@andrewpankiw2144]

What instrument is that towards the end?

[@hermw1541]

Thank you!!!

[@umutshawty]

Perfect

[@modarelkhatib6496]

i love this song even if the lyrics are weird

[@nickvaneffrink6000]

Modar Elkhatib the lyrics are beautiful, not weird

[@codha.lprvco]

@@nickvaneffrink6000 who says weird can't be beautiful

[@Charlie152152]

why so good

[@craigmarks2037]

How tragic. Thanks to Jenny for that.

[@craigmarks2037]

They fulfilled their destiny... To be blown to pieces or run over by tanks while documenting yet another meaningless conflict.

[@MrJameschance]

there is songwriting and then there is this

[@diosamuerto4166]

thnkz

[@RolnOrangeClvrs]

Not at all what I thought the lyrics said.

[@fundacioncomponiendocorazo9522]

[@terceiraodimlotado7713]

adorei, mt boa mesmo so achei meio dark :p *-*

[@Glowingriverr]

❤

[@pedroxavier4556]

Dora Živulović ❤

[@yakkismd5946]

I have loved this song since I heard it the first time. But I quite don't understand the lyrics yet. Is it supposed to be sad? Cuz I strangely feel moved.

[@criistophervelmont8059]

so cool tan chido v:

[@andreatejeda1362]

:v

[@sandyadkins2637]

I lii I’ll ke it not sure of meaning but it’s good 💙🌈🎧✨but makes me cry not sure why

[@IrisEvurora]

Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA)

[@tay6906]

"Do not spray into eyes. I have sprayed you into my eyes." Its a warning label. DO NOT SPRAY INTO EYES! But he doe sit anyway. EHHH it wont hurt that bad...

[@benedictyune6091]

I wish my friend understands my taste in thin kind of music.Sadly they can;t

[@jennyhorsburgh8283]

I know what it means

[@vasvi8319]

well that was random

[@nonotdrschwa5677]

this is highkey cursive