The band is currently made up of: Max Kerman (vocals, guitar), Mike DeAngelis (vocals, guitar), Nick Dika (bass), Tim Oxford (drums), and Anthony Carone (vocals, keyboard, guitar)
Originally called Charlemagne, the band changed their name when another band of the same name threatened to sue them. The band is named after Arkell Street in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, ON, near McMaster University, where they lived and would practice their music. All five original band members attended McMaster where lead singer Max Kerman graduated with an honours BA in Political Science. Kerman met guitarist Mike DeAngelis at a McMaster Welcome Week event where the two discovered they had an identical taste in music.
In 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records, and have since signed with Universal Records Canada and Last Gang Records.
Arkells' debut album Jackson Square was released 28 October 2008 on Dine Alone Records. In late 2008, Arkells toured Canada as opening act for Matt Mays & El Torpedo.
In April 2010, Arkells won the Juno Award for New Group of the Year, and on May 15, 2010, were picked to open for Them Crooked Vultures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. They made headlines while playing a set at Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto after the 2010 Much Music Video Awards, when rapper Shad and pop singer Kesha joined them onstage to freestyle and sing along during a cover of Ms. Jackson by Outkast.
In 2011, the band wrote and recorded their second album Michigan Left, which was released on October 18 of that year. On 6 October 2011 it was announced that Dan Griffin would be leaving the band to go back to school. He was replaced by Anthony Carone.
In 2012, Arkells won the 2012 Juno Award for Group of the Year.
On May 13, 2014, the band released the single "Come to Light", and confirmed the title of the record would be High Noon. The record was released on Dine Alone/Universal Records, August 5, 2014. The band would go on to with the Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 2015 Juno Awards. High Noon was also long listed for the Polaris prize in 2015.
On October 23, 2015, the band released a new EP, "Study Music", which they self-produced and released on Universal Music Canada/Dine Alone Records.
Arkells began teasing new material from their forthcoming album on tour in the spring of 2016. The fourth album, Morning Report, was released on August 5, 2016.
At the Juno Awards of 2017, Arkells were nominated for Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. They performed their viral hit "Drake's Dad" live on the television broadcast
The Arkells released their fifth studio album, Rally Cry, on October 19, 2018, accompanied by a Canadian tour featuring Lord Huron as the opening act. The tour featured the Arkells' largest arena show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 16, 2019.
On February 25, 2020 the band released the new single and video "Years in the Making". Later that year, on July 30, they released the single "Quitting You", and announced the release of Campfire Chords, a full-length album featuring acoustic versions of earlier songs, on August 20. Each member recorded his part at home during the COVID-19 quarantine and sent it to Carone, who then edited, mixed and produced the pieces into complete songs.
On March 25, 2021 the band released the new single and video "You Can Get It", featuring guest vocals by K.Flay.
Coffee
Arkells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll let you get the next time
We go out for coffee
'Cause I wanna know
All about your history
Open my eyes
We can solve this mystery
And I can't piece it together
Now I'm talking to you
So can ya clear up the record
Do you hear him?
Do you feel him?
Do you see him?
Do you see him when you're dreaming?
Does he hit you?
Does he hold you?
Does he listen?
Or cut you off when you're speaking?
'Cause I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
You're telling everyone he is your best friend
And you're handing out flyers
Flyers on the weekends
You're making up your mind
You say everything is blinded by history
So you stay at home writing
Unauthorized biographies
I get so confused
When you can't keep it together
Now I'm talking to you
So can you clear up the record?
Do you hear him?
Do you feel him?
Do you see him?
Do you see him when you're dreaming?
Does he hit you?
Does he hold you?
Does he listen?
Or cut you off when you're speaking?
'Cause I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
Do you hear him?
Do you feel him?
Do you see him?
Do you see him when you're dreaming?
Does he hit you?
Does he hold you?
Does he listen?
Or cut you off when you're speaking?
I wanna hear what you say
But you keep walking away
Everytime I say hey!
Do you hear him?
Do you feel him?
Do you see him?
Do you see him when you're dreaming?
I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
The Arkells' song "Coffee" is a deeply introspective and emotional song that explores themes of confusion, heartbreak, and betrayal. The singer sings about wanting to know more about the subject of the song - someone who is telling everyone that their partner is their best friend, while also handing out flyers on the weekends. The singer is confused by the subject's behavior and is searching for answers about their relationship.
The chorus of the song repeats a series of questions aimed at the subject, asking if they hear, feel, or see their partner, even when they're dreaming. The questions become increasingly specific as the song goes on, asking if the partner hits or holds them, or cuts them off when they speak. The singer wants to understand the reason behind the subject's behavior and their relationship, but they are frustrated by the subject's refusal to engage with them.
Overall, the song's lyrics are powerful and poignant, touching on the complexities of relationships and the difficulties of understanding the actions of those we love. Through its introspective and emotional themes, the song speaks to the universal human experiences of love, betrayal, and the search for understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
No no really, this one's on me
I am willing to pay for your coffee
I'll let you get the next time
Next time, it'll be your turn to pay
We go out for coffee
Let's get to know each other better
'Cause I wanna know
I am curious about you
All about your history
I want to know everything about your past
Open my eyes
Help me understand you better
We can solve this mystery
Together, we can figure you out
'Cause I've got all the clues
I have some information about you
And I can't piece it together
I am having trouble understanding
Now I'm talking to you
I am asking for your explanation
So can ya clear up the record
Please tell me the truth
Do you hear him?
Does he communicate with you?
Do you feel him?
Do you have an emotional connection with him?
Do you see him?
Do you spend time with him?
Do you see him when you're dreaming?
Do you think about him when you sleep?
Does he hit you?
Is he physically abusive towards you?
Does he hold you?
Does he comfort you?
Does he listen?
Does he pay attention to you?
Or cut you off when you're speaking?
Does he interrupt you?
'Cause I-I-I-I-I wanna know the reason
I am persistent in seeking the truth
You're telling everyone he is your best friend
You claim that he is very close to you
And you're handing out flyers
You are actively promoting something
Flyers on the weekends
You are doing this often
You're making up your mind
You are deciding something
You say everything is blinded by history
You believe the past is influencing the present
So you stay at home writing
You are reflecting on your experience
Unauthorized biographies
You are writing about someone without their permission
I get so confused
I am unsure about what is happening
When you can't keep it together
You are emotionally unstable
I wanna hear what you say
I want to understand your perspective
But you keep walking away
You are avoiding the conversation
Everytime I say hey!
I am trying to grab your attention
I wanna know the reason
I am genuinely interested in understanding
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jjeennnn
No words to describe how amazing this song is!
po tato
I have never heard this song before but it still sounds really nostalgic. Reminds me of a long drive home, at night, in my auntie's car. Sounds like something she would listen to. :) Beautifuuuul!
Robert Pradella
Love this band!
Kaylee Wilkins
Saw them in concert on Sunday and had the privilege to meet them<3 Truly AMAZING people with amazing talent.
Rhea Hayes
MY INTRODUCTION TO THE ARKELLS—BLOODY BRILLIANT❣️❣️🇨🇦
Greg Strieby
My daughter turned me on to this little gem from Canada, now everyone in the family has Coffee, Leather Jacket, 11:11 and Book Club on their playlists....best thing from Canada since hockey....they rock...wish they'd do more live dates on the East Coast
Paige A
That's trippy!! How did you even pick that out? Definitely wouldn't have heard that if you hadn't pointed it out haha
Julia Bellefontaine
beautiful song! on my top 10
Maryann Rhodes
Love this!
Ev Childs
This video is almost a year old with no dislikes and almost 50,000 views. Such a rare acomplishment