As of 2009, the band consists of Kristen Henderson on bass guitar/bg vocals, Cathy Henderson on lead guitar/bg vocals, Dena Tauriello on drums and Nini Camps on rhythm guitar and lead vocals.
The band is primarily known as a touring band, at one time performing 260 shows a year. They earned a dedicated fanbase early on that follows them from concert to concert along the East Coast and increasingly across the country. Fans refer to the band simply as "AR" or "Antigone".
Their first four albums were recorded mostly with independent labels and financed through fan donations. In 2003 they signed up with Lava Records after label president Jason Flom spotted them playing at one of their gigs. In 2005, they became the first artists to be promoted in Starbucks' Hear Music Series, created to discover and spotlight new music. The high visibility, exclusive sale, in-store promotion and airplay at Starbucks across the country helped the band's acoustic EP From the Ground Up sell over 450,000 copies by the end of 2005. The album's single, "Don't Look Back," was very popular among country audiences, and its video received heavy airplay on CMT.
Antigone Rising have shared the stage with Joan Jett, The Rolling Stones, moe., Rob Thomas, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers and The Bangles[1]. They performed at Lilith Fair 1998 and SXSW 2005 and have co-written with Chris Trapper of The Push Stars and Rob Thomas.
Storybook Romance
Antigone Rising Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That subtle disdain
By that cross on your back
You carry in vain
I sense a deception
Truth was never told
Watch this fire at your feet
Blaze wild as it gently gets fanned
By the broad wing of time
A storybook romance
It ends in happy ever after
But as far as she's noticed there's just
Once upon a time
Don't cry
You choose what you sow
And what you reap
Wish it well
What you gave away
And bless what you keep
You made your own mind
It falls down on you
You're all caught up in love
And wishes that won't come true
In that bed that you made
"Storybook Romance" by Antigone Rising is a song that talks about the fantasy world that people create in their mind regarding love and romance. The song starts with the lead singer sensing deception and the presence of an unsaid truth in the air. She talks about the cross that the man carries in vain and the subtle disdain in his eyes. She then points out the fire at his feet and how he is standing in line, waiting for something that might never come true. The lead singer describes the relationship as a storybook romance that is supposed to have a happy ending but admits that the reality is different from what people imagine, and there is only 'Once upon a time.'
The song continues to provide advice on how to deal with such situations. It says that ultimately, people have the power to choose what they want to sow and reap in their lives. They are advised to wish well for what they gave away and bless what they keep. The lead singer talks about the consequences of the person's actions and how they are all caught up in love and wishes that won't come true.
Line by Line Meaning
By that look in your eye
I can tell by your expression that there's a deeper emotion hidden within.
That subtle disdain
It's a hidden emotion that, despite being subtle, is tinged with scorn.
By that cross on your back
There is a weight upon you, perhaps a burden you bear.
You carry in vain
Perhaps it's a burden you take on because you can't let it go or because it serves no purpose.
I sense a deception
I recognize that something is amiss, there's an underlying falsehood or untruth.
Truth was never told
Perhaps there was never an opportunity for it to come out, or perhaps it was willfully withheld.
Watch this fire at your feet
There is something brewing beneath the surface, something potentially explosive.
From standing on line
It could be that you're caught in a situation that you can't get out of, or perhaps there are rules you're confined to.
Blaze wild as it gently gets fanned
Despite being somewhat restrained, the intensity of the situation is gradually building up, ready to explode at any moment.
By the broad wing of time
Time may allow things to cool down, or it may exacerbate the situation further, but either way it's a force that cannot be stopped.
A storybook romance
A love affair that seems perfect, that follows the traditional tropes of love stories.
It ends in happy ever after
The story is neatly tied up with a bow, everything resolves in a happy manner.
But as far as she's noticed there's just
However, from her own observations, it's not always as simple and perfect as it seems on the surface.
Once upon a time
It's just a story, not necessarily something that reflects reality.
Don't cry
There's no need to be upset.
You choose what you sow
You are in control of your actions and their consequences.
And what you reap
Your actions will have a response, and you must be prepared for the consequences.
Wish it well
Even if you give something up, you should still hope it fares well in the future.
What you gave away
The things you've relinquished, whether it's control or an actual item.
And bless what you keep
You should be grateful for what you still possess, cherishing it and viewing it as a gift.
You made your own mind
You have made a decision, and must live with the consequences of your choice.
It falls down on you
You shoulder the weight of your own decisions, and must accept that responsibility.
You're all caught up in love
You are deeply entangled in a romantic relationship.
And wishes that won't come true
You may have a deep desire that cannot be fulfilled, leading to disappointment and heartache.
In that bed that you made
You created this situation for yourself, and must accept the consequences that come with it.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CASSIDY CATANZARO, CATHY HENDERSON, CATHY A. HENDERSON, KRISTEN HENDERSON, KRISTEN L. HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind