South African alternative rock grew more mainstream with two leading bands, Asylum Kids from Johannesburg and Peach from Durban having chart success and releasing critically acclaimed albums. The burgeoning music scene around Johannesburg saw a surge of small bands, inspired and informed by the UK DIY punk ethic, form and start performing at a growing number of venues from clubs the likes of Metalbeat, Bluebeat, King of Clubs, DV8 and Dirtbox to student run venues such as GR Bozzoli Hall and later the Free People Concert on the University of the Witwatersrand campus.
One artist of specific note to come from this era was James Phillips who was involved with several influential and important bands including Corporal Punishment; Cherry Faced Lurchers; and his Afrikaans alter ego Bernoldus Niemand (roughly translates as Bernard Nobody). With his Bernoldus Niemand character, James managed to cross the language division and influence a whole range of Afrikaans speaking musicians to the same punk ethic that had inspired him, and an important Afrikaans alternative rock scene grew from this influence.
During this period, the only Afrikaners to achieve much mainstream fame were Anton Goosen, a rock singer-songwriter, and Bles Bridges, an imitator of American lounge singer Wayne Newton.
Giant Mistake
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Devilishly gorgeous temptress she
She knew that I would
And elegantly wasted, tasted more
More than I should
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
The hell? What the hell?
And eloquently said the phrase that pays, but somehow
I'm still flat broke
And succulently licked four, five, six, seven
Don't leave me alone
Mmmm it was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
Oh, it was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
The hell? What the hell?
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
(Wo-o-o-oh) We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
(Wo-o-o-oh) The hell? What the hell?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
(Wo-o-o-oh) We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
(Wo-o-o-oh) The hell? What the hell?
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh
The lyrics to The Parlotones's song Giant Mistake depict the aftermath of a bad decision made by the singer and their lover, a "devilishly gorgeous temptress." The singer acknowledges that they were lured in by her beauty and "tasted more than [they] should." The phrase "giant mistake" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the magnitude of their folly. The singer wonders what they were thinking and what they believed they would achieve, as they now stand exposed and regretful.
The references to being "elegantly wasted" and the phrase that "pays but somehow I'm still flat broke" suggest that this was not just an emotional mistake, but also a financial or professional one. The repeated "wo-o-o-oh" chants in the chorus contribute to the overall feeling of regret and despair.
Overall, Giant Mistake is a cautionary tale about giving in to temptation and making choices without fully considering the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Devilishly gorgeous temptress she
An extremely attractive woman, who knew that I would be tempted by her
She knew that I would
She had confidence that I would succumb to her seduction
And elegantly wasted, tasted more
Effortlessly charming and intoxicated, I indulged in her more than I should have
More than I should
I went beyond my limits and made a big mistake
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
The mistake was huge and colossal
What the hell were we thinking?
We acted recklessly and didn't use our brains at all
Were we thinking at all?
We didn't consider the consequences of our actions
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We had unrealistic expectations and didn't think about the outcome
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
We were vulnerable and exposed, and older and wiser people warned us but we didn't listen
And eloquently said the phrase that pays, but somehow
We were promised something great, but ended up with nothing
I'm still flat broke
We didn't receive any benefit and are left with nothing
And succulently licked four, five, six, seven
We enjoyed the pleasure and temptation, but it was temporary and fleeting
Don't leave me alone
Despite knowing it was a mistake, we still have the desire to continue
Wo-o-o-oh
Refrain/interlude
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexvanderwesthuizen5999
I remember sitting behind my a friends house in Ramsgate, painting a handmade Parlotones shirt, wore that shirt to a concert later that year. Still some of my best childhood memories
@tinosemoko
This Song Will Never Get old
@mbanikmbaku4297
Totally agree. Timeless
@ros_na
never a dull moment when you play the Parlotones😊
@the_veganblonde4342
One of the best songs ever recorded. 🎶⭐
@StacyLukasavitz
I love this band. Every time I watch a video of theirs, or see them on TV or live . . . I love them even more. That is all.
@Aspanishperspective
I love them so much!!! Best band ever! They are also unbelievable live. I hope they will perform in Barcelona sometime soon :))
@ondecakes
Man I grew up on this music 😩
@tyriquestock7822
Trips with the parlotones playing was fun af😎
@MumboMaya
Well I am South African if you like Indie rock do you know the band The Killers?