After playing in New York and touring the US and Europe from 2009–2010, in the summer of 2010 McMahon released the Murder Dull Mind EP, a collection of the apartment recordings made while in Beijing, on Sacred Bones. This past January, he began recording for his second full length, Through Donkey Jaw, his first proper recordings in almost five years. Where Murder Dull Mind was sparse, mostly acoustic and almost all first-take improvisation, this new work contains many more fully-realized sounds and songs; it is very much the winter to Murder Dull Mind’s summer.
Dracula
Amen Dunes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Houston love song
Used to run around
With the vampires uptown
But I've seen them fade
And I got to get away
In the years to come you know that
Picture Saint Denis
Put his arms around me
My baby, don't lie
My baby, so true
Arm in arm
With Houston thug
Keep it low to the ground, now
As you get to know the town
Cutie's mind is on fire
She had a spiritual good time
She's never been a good student
But she's cute, cute
My baby don't lie
Don't you know I'm in the mood
Gon' do it to you, you, you-you, you
Yeah, you make it through December
And I really look up to you
Keep it cool and calm
Keep it going 'til it's done
Drove on for Point Judith
Drove his car through the city
Well, what can you do
Every thought you had was untrue
Been dreaming too long
Fell under the snow cloud
Powerful two-chord blues
Coming through from me to you
Maybe this is all
Let's keep it short and sweet
Keeping my brights on
We got miles to go
The lyrics of Amen Dunes's song Dracula evoke feelings of nostalgia, romance, and a restless search for one's identity. The singer seems to recall his past with a sense of longing, reminiscing about his time spent running around with vampires uptown. But as time passes by, the singer has seen them fade, and it's time for him to escape from this life. The imagery of Houston serves as a backdrop of the singer's experience, which appears to have been bittersweet. In the years to come, he knows Houston loved him wrong, but he still harbors affection towards that place, personified by Picture Saint Denis, who wraps his arms around the singer.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the line "My baby don't lie, don't you know I'm in the mood," is a plea for honesty and authenticity. The singer is searching for someone truthful and trustworthy, someone who won't deceive him. The line "been dreaming too long, fell under the snow cloud" suggests someone who has been lost in their mind, making up fantasies that don't align with their reality. The two-chord blues that the singer plays coming through from me to you adds to the melancholic and introspective tone of the song. The line "Maybe this is all, let's keep it short and sweet, keeping my brights on, we got miles to go" implies that the singer has come to an understanding that life is fleeting and time is limited, and it's best to enjoy the moment while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
Here and then you're gone
Life is fleeting, and things can change rapidly
Yeah, Houston love song
The song is a tribute to a love affair set in Houston
Used to run around
Protagonist had fun in Houston
With the vampires uptown
Protagonist once hung out with a group of people who were wild and up for anything
But I've seen them fade
As time passed, Protagonist's old friends changed or moved on
And I got to get away
Protagonist is ready for change and wants to leave the past behind
In the years to come you know that
Protagonist is reflecting on the past and how things have changed
Houston loved me wrong
The artist feels they were mistreated by Houston, emotionally or physically
Picture Saint Denis
Protagonist remembers a happy time or a fond memory
Put his arms around me
Protagonist feels loved and supported
My baby, don't lie
Protagonist's lover is trustworthy and genuine
My baby, so true
Protagonist is in a healthy relationship with a faithful partner
Arm in arm
Protagonist is walking with their partner
With Houston thug
Protagonist is with someone who seems dangerous or misguided
Keep it low to the ground, now
Protagonist and their partner are keeping a low profile
As you get to know the town
Protagonist is adjusting to the area
Cutie's mind is on fire
Someone nearby is passionate or excited about something
She had a spiritual good time
Someone recently had a positive experience and feels fulfilled
She's never been a good student
Individual has not succeeded academically
But she's cute, cute
Despite faults or flaws, individual is attractive or desirable
Gon' do it to you, you, you-you, you
Protagonist is feeling confident and assertive about their plans for the future
Yeah, you make it through December
Reflecting on overcoming a difficult time
And I really look up to you
Protagonist admires the strength and perseverance of another person
Keep it cool and calm
Protagonist advises staying composed and rational even in tough situations
Keep it going 'til it's done
Protagonist advocates for determination and perseverance
Drove on for Point Judith
Protagonist is on a journey or road trip
Drove his car through the city
Protagonist is driving through an urban area
Well, what can you do
Protagonist is acknowledging the limits of their control over a situation
Every thought you had was untrue
Protagonist may have had unrealistic or incorrect ideas
Been dreaming too long
Protagonist has been stuck in a certain mindset or attitude for too long
Fell under the snow cloud
Protagonist is feeling depressed or emotionally down
Powerful two-chord blues
Music has the ability to evoke emotion and provide comfort
Coming through from me to you
Message or emotion is being transmitted to the listener
Maybe this is all
Protagonist questions the meaning or significance of their experiences
Let's keep it short and sweet
Protagonist is suggesting a brief or concise interaction
Keeping my brights on
Protagonist is staying optimistic or hopeful
We got miles to go
Protagonist recognizes the journey ahead, both physically and metaphorically
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Damon McMahon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Krygiel
Damn! I thought I listened to 'Love' a lot. Looks like this record's going to be on repeat even more.
tamkingshorts
This is so beautiful. Heard on late night radio in Atlanta, WRAS Album 88. Love it.
purturbd
I had a very random dream about this song being performed on stage and people going super crazy over it. It was so awesome to see this underrated as hell band get such an incredible reception for once, even if it was just in a dream.
TheCosmosIsWithinUs
Can't wait for this album
Cole Berggren
Another jam! Looking forward to seeing you in Berkeley in 3 weeks! :)
Robert Pearson
Love the little guitar bend
Michael McCrary
Sleeper fave from the album <3 <3 <3
Danny Ginnane-Gannon
That's 3 I've listened to....Still like!!
Alexandros Martinez
The opening bars remind me of Netflix's "Hoops".
Chuck Norris
Dope