Abney Park began around 1997, but their popularity exploded with the onset of internet music, with much success through MP3.com in the early 2000’s. The band was a regular chart topper, often holding the number 1 – 5 positions in Goth and Darkwave, and Industrial Dance music charts. In 2005 the band morphed from a more Darkwave/Industrial inspired act to a Steampunk inspired act.
Abney Park's music has been featured on a number of movie soundtracks, including "Insomnis Amour", "Goth", and "Lord of the Vampires". The band's music has also been featured in many compilation CD’s, including Cleopatra Records “The Unquiet Grave” vol. III, "Annihilation and Seduction", "Eighteen" and many more.
Abney Park has performed all over the North America, appearing in Portland, Chicago, Las Vegas, Reno, Hollywood, and countless shows in their home base of Seattle. Their fans form a near-cult following, and have been known to travel from as far as New Zealand and Mexico City just to see them perform.
The Wrong Side
Abney Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one that you fear when you hold your wife
I run where the darker crowds run,
On the rain swept streets where the black rain runs
I play where the darker kids play
I'm the one who goes out when you end your day
I dance where the darker crowds dance,
I see things the darker kids see
Though you wouldn't believe all that's happened to me
I've been to the back side of hell,
And I've played with your fear and enjoyed it well
This our time, the night's our day
We'll dance this fading life away
"The Wrong Side" is a song by Abney Park that portrays a different image of life. The singer sets himself apart from society by running on the wrong side of life. The verses are filled with statements of rebellion and desolation, giving a feeling of someone who is lost. The singer clearly enjoys going against the norm, and he is someone who is feared by others.
In the chorus, the singer talks about his life as something that takes place at night. He is the one who goes out when others are ending their day. He says, "This our time, the night's our day / We'll dance this fading life away." It is like he is trying to say that their way of life may not be the conventional, normal way of living, but they can still enjoy it. The song, therefore, reflects the idea that breaking free from societal constraints and embracing one's individuality can be liberating.
Line by Line Meaning
I run on the wrong side of life,
I live my life differently from the norm, on the opposite side of what is considered acceptable.
I'm the one that you fear when you hold your wife
I am the object of your fear and insecurity when you are with your partner.
I run where the darker crowds run,
I frequent the same places as those who society considers as outcasts, marginalized and troubled.
On the rain swept streets where the black rain runs
I am accustomed to roaming and lingering around desolate, wet, rain-soaked streets.
I play where the darker kids play
I entertain myself similarly to those who are shunned by society.
I'm the one who goes out when you end your day
I am an active night owl, and my day begins when other people's day ends.
I dance where the darker crowds dance,
I enjoy dancing in clubs that are deemed to be seedy, depraved, or sinful.
In the pitch black clubs in a clove stained trance
I have spent time in pitch-dark clubs, in a trance or hallucination induced by clove.
I see things the darker kids see
I perceive things the way rejected, mistreated, and ostracized people do.
Though you wouldn't believe all that's happened to me
Even if I were to recount all that I have gone through, I doubt that you would believe me.
I've been to the back side of hell,
I have been to such terrible situations that it felt like I was in the metaphorical back side of hell.
And I've played with your fear and enjoyed it well
I have purposely toyed with what you fear most, and I have done so with utmost pleasure.
This our time, the night's our day
The night is our realm, and we feel most at home during these hours.
We'll dance this fading life away
We will dance away from this ephemeral existence that is slowly losing its vibrance.
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.