1. Arcadia was the pop group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, during a break in that band's schedule. However, Roger Taylor appeared in only a few band photographs and in none of the music videos, and stated he was only to be involved in the recording side of the project (he also had minor involvement in The Power Station, the other Duran Duran splinter group). The name of the band was reportedly inspired by the Nicolas Poussin painting Et in Arcadia ego (also known as "The Arcadian Shepherds").
The group recorded just one album, the platinum-selling So Red the Rose. It peaked at number 23 on the US album chart, and featured the Top 40 singles "Election Day," "The Flame," "The Promise," and "Goodbye Is Forever." Simon Le Bon described So Red the Rose as "the most pretentious album ever made"[1], while All Music Guide called it "the best album Duran Duran never made"[2]. Musicians who contributed to the album included guitarists David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Carlos Alomar, pianist Herbie Hancock, Sting (who provided backing vocals on "The Promise"), Grace Jones (who provided brief but dramatic spoken-word interludes on "The Flame" and "Election Day"), bass player Mark Egan of the Pat Metheny Group (whose very distinctive fretless sound can be recognised in "The Promise", "El Diablo" and "Lady Ice") and David Van Tieghem, a percussionist from New York.
The band also recorded the single "Say the Word" for the Playing for Keeps movie soundtrack.
Arcadia continued the Duran Duran tradition of a slick image, tasteful fashions and hair-dos. For the Arcadia incarnation of their ever-changing band aesthetic, Rhodes, Le Bon, and Roger Taylor donned an upmarket 'gothic' look of black tuxedos, vintage formal wear, and bow ties. The three also dyed their hair black, as seen when they performed (as Duran Duran, with Andy and John Taylor) at the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia.
The group did a variety of promotional appearances on television, but never toured, and dissolved a year later in 1986 when Duran Duran re-formed with Le Bon, Rhodes, and bassist John Taylor to record their next album Notorious. During the tour to support Notorious, Duran Duran played the Arcadia single "Election Day" as well as "Some Like it Hot" from the Power Station record. Drummer Roger Taylor retired from the music business for 15 years after the release of the Arcadia album, but returned to rejoin the original Duran Duran line-up in 2001.
2. An Australian Metalcore band from Adelaide, South Australia. Arcadia have two releases under their name, 2009's 'From Ashes, We Rise' and 2012's 'Worlds Collide'. Both releases have been very well received, and have given the band the chance to play with bands such as Hypno5e (France), Sybreed (Switzerland) and many Australian bands, as well as two Australian tours.
3. Italian industrial/thrash metal band that formed in 1996. They have released three albums (Synth, Fracture Concrete, and Cold Cold Bones).
4. Japanese power metal band that formed in 2000. They have released two albums (Tales of Fantasia and Flight to the Rainbow).
5. A Canadian Christian Rock band that released it's debut album, "Passage" in January.
6. A Filipino Metalcore band signed under Tower of Doom records. They recently released their debut record "Parallels".
7. A Japanese visual-kei band that only produced one single. Alternative tag: ＡｒｃＡｄｉＡ.
Election Day
Arcadia Lyrics
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Opening eyes impale neon flickers
She moon she turning away,
The city's her slave but he's cheating his mistress
She's moody and grey,
She's mean and she's restless (so restless)
All over you as they say
Hi guys, by the way, are you aware you're being illegal
It's making your savior behaviour look evil
Excuse my timing but say,
How d'you fit in with this flim, flam and Judy
Maximum big surprise your smile is something new
I pull my shirt off and pray,
We're sacred and bound to suffer the heatwave
Pull my shirt off and pray we're coming up on re-election day
Don't even try to induce,
In all my restrain there's no hesitation
All the signs on the loose
Cause sanity's rare this end of the hard day
(Yeah)
Shadows are crawling out of the subway
Any way that you choose in every direction just to confuse me
Maximum big surprise she knows something new
I pull my shirt off and pray,
I'm saving myself to suffer the heatwave
Pull my shirt off and pray, we're coming up on re-election day
By roads and backways a lover's chance down a wind
Cut open murmurs and sounds be calm hands on skin
Carry further oh...entangled strands all sing
Saving some time to slip away we could dance oh..
Shouldn't be asking wild and scheming
Could be my election day
Stretching my back down the way
To your invitation stretching my body
Use your intuitive play
Cause maybe we have more play time than money
Maximum big surprise you know something new
I pull my shirt off and pray,
We're sacred and bound to suffer this heatwave
Pull my shirt off and pray we're coming up on re-election day
Re-election day
The song "Election Day" by Arcadia seems to describe a chaotic and moody city on the verge of a significant event, possibly an election. The lyrics paint a picture of a metropolis illuminated by neon lights, with shadows crawling out of the subway that confuse the singer. He describes the city as the moon's slave, but the city's mistress is being cheated, suggesting that there is corruption and dishonesty in the political arena.
The singer seems to be addressing someone, possibly a group of people, who are engaging in illegal behavior and making their savior behavior look evil. He also seems to question their roles in the flim-flam and Judy of the upcoming election day. The song suggests a sense of restraint and hesitation in the singer, which may stem from the lack of sanity and clarity in the city.
Despite the chaos, the singer finds hope in a lover's chance down a windy road, and in the prospect of a new beginning on re-election day. He prays to be saved from the heatwave, which may symbolize the stress and pressure of the political climate, and to have more playtime than money. In the end, the song seems to be about keeping faith amidst the uncertainty and turmoil of a big event.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild kind of look to the day,
The day has a strange and unpredictable quality to it.
Opening eyes impale neon flickers
Bright lights and signs are overwhelming and jarring to the senses.
She moon she turning away,
The moon seems to be avoiding attention or hiding away.
The city's her slave but he's cheating his mistress
The city is controlled by external forces but is betraying its true identity.
She's moody and grey,
The city is complex and emotional, with a dreary outlook.
She's mean and she's restless (so restless)
The city is harsh and constantly changing.
All over you as they say
People are gossiping and spreading rumors.
Rumors or rivals yell at the strike force
Competitors are attacking with force.
Hi guys, by the way, are you aware you're being illegal
A warning that their actions are illegal or morally questionable.
It's making your savior behaviour look evil
Their behavior misunderstands the concept of being a savior.
Excuse my timing but say,
Apologizing for the timing, but asking a question anyway.
How d'you fit in with this flim, flam and Judy
Asking how they can be involved with something that seems insincere and chaotic.
Maximum big surprise your smile is something new
A pleasant surprise to see a new smiling face.
I pull my shirt off and pray,
Preparing for a difficult task.
We're sacred and bound to suffer the heatwave
Suffering is inevitable, but there is a sense of sanctity in the struggle.
Pull my shirt off and pray we're coming up on re-election day
Preparing for a major event or decision that will impact the future.
Don't even try to induce,
Trying to discourage others from manipulating or influencing their decisions.
In all my restrain there's no hesitation
Even with self-control, there is no hesitation to act when necessary.
All the signs on the loose
Confusion and uncertainty reign.
Cause sanity's rare this end of the hard day
Maintaining sanity is difficult after experiencing a long, difficult day.
Shadows are crawling out of the subway
People and things emerge from hidden places.
Any way that you choose in every direction just to confuse me
All the options are overwhelming, causing confusion.
By roads and backways a lover's chance down a wind
Seeking love and taking a risk on a new path.
Cut open murmurs and sounds be calm hands on skin
Uncovering secrets and calming oneself.
Carry further oh...entangled strands all sing
Continuing on with the complicated journey.
Saving some time to slip away we could dance oh..
Taking a moment to escape and dance away from the difficulties.
Shouldn't be asking wild and scheming
The asking should not be wild and erratic.
Could be my election day
This decision could greatly impact my future.
Stretching my back down the way
Preparing for action.
To your invitation stretching my body
Accepting an invitation and physically preparing.
Use your intuitive play
Trusting one's intuition.
Cause maybe we have more play time than money
Enjoying experiences more than material wealth.
We're sacred and bound to suffer this heatwave
The struggle is sacred and unavoidable.
Pull my shirt off and pray we're coming up on re-election day
Prepared for the upcoming decision and its consequences.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICK RHODES, ROGER ANDREW TAYLOR, SIMON LE BON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind