Arno has toured extensively in SA, UK, Europe and USA, headlined every major South African festival and performed at some of the most legendary international music festivals including Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, V Festival, T in the Park and Hard Rock Calling.
2012 will be Arno’s most creative year yet. He is currently working on his 4th solo album scheduled for release in the 2nd quarter of 2012 and will also host his first ever art exhibition. It will run at The Lovell Gallery in Woodstock, Cape Town, from the 1st March to 13th April 2012.
ARNO CARSTENS HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING ALBUMS, EP’s and DVD’s:
Springbok Nude Girls – Neanderthal 1 (Epic, 1995)
Springbok Nude Girls – It Became a Weapon (Epic, 1996)
Springbok Nude Girls – be-vest@iafrica.com (Epic, 1997)
Springbok Nude Girls – AfterLifeSatisfaction (Epic, 1997)
Springbok Nude Girls – Omnisofa (Epic, 1998)
Springbok Nude Girls – OPTI MUM (Epic, 1998)
Springbok Nude Girls – Surpass The Powers (Epic, 1999)
Springbok Nude Girls – Un-E.Z. (Epic, 1999)
Springbok Nude Girls – Relaxor (Epic, 2000)
Springbok Nude Girls – The Fat Lady Sings / Best of the Springbok Nude Girls 1995-2001 (Epic, 2001)
Arno Carstens – Another Universe (Sony, 2003)
Springbok Nude Girls – Goddank Vir Klank 1994 – 2004 (Sony, 2004)
Arno Carstens – The Hello Goodbye Boys (SonyBMG, 2005)
Nude Girls – Nude Girls (Exclusive UK release)(Golden Fairy Records/SonyBMG, 2006)
Springbok Nude Girls – PeaceBreaker (SonyBMG, 2007)
Springbok Nude Girls Live at London’s Astoria DVD (SonyBMG, 2007)
Bhelltower – Bhelltower (SonyBMG, 2008)
Arno Carstens – Wonderful Wild (Sony, 2010)
Arno Carstens – Wonderful Wild Deluxe Edition (Sony, 2010)
Springbok Nude Girls – Apes with Shades (Sony, 2011)
Hiroshimama
Arno Carstens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come home and you see only...
Monstrous divorces
Monstrous and don't even bother
There is porcelain breaking in the kitchen
There is a fire in our tongue you can't buy
I come home and I see only
You come home and you see only...
The great unknown is awakening alone
Monstrous and don't even bother
I come home and I see you only
You come home and you see only...
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Me and her Hiroshimama
Me the man
She the junkie
I drink whisky to forgive her
As children look and sing
Where did this begin?
I come home and I see only
You come home and you see only...
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Hiroshimama... Papa...
The song "Hiroshimama" by Arno Carstens is a haunting exploration of a tumultuous and destructive relationship. The lyrics suggest that the two lovers are deeply connected and bound by their history, but their love has turned into something monstrous and destructive. The imagery of "monstrous divorces" and "swollen hearts" conveys the pain and violence that underlie this relationship.
The chorus, which repeats "Hiroshimama... Papa..." several times, is particularly striking. The use of the word "Hiroshima" as a metaphor for the couple's destructive relationship is poignant and powerful. The reference to "Papa" suggests that the pain and trauma inflicted by this relationship may have deep roots in the past, perhaps in childhood or family history.
The verses of the song are filled with vivid and evocative imagery, from the sound of porcelain breaking to the fire in the characters' tongues. The relationship between the singer and the woman referred to as "Hiroshimama" is presented as deeply troubled and full of pain and conflict. The singer's use of whisky to "forgive her" suggests that he is torn between his love for her and his understanding that the relationship is toxic and damaging.
Overall, "Hiroshimama" is a powerful and unsettling portrait of a relationship gone wrong, one that explores the complex and often painful dynamics of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I come home and I see only
Returning home and finding nothing else but the situation at hand.
You come home and you see only...
Coming home and witnessing only that which is present and manifest.
Monstrous divorces
The separation of two entities of a great magnitude.
Monstrous and don't even bother
Of great size and scope, yet lacking concern or care.
There is porcelain breaking in the kitchen
The sound of delicate ceramics shattering within the confines of the cooking area.
There is a fire in our tongue you can't buy
An intense passion that cannot be purchased or attained through material means.
Two swollen hearts that was blinded by loves light
Two individuals with hearts so full of love, that they were blinded by it's light.
The great unknown is awakening alone
The immense mystery that is confronting the significant challenge of facing the dawn alone.
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Referencing the city of Hiroshima and the words 'mama' and 'papa'.
Me and her Hiroshimama
The personal experience of the artist and their familiarity with the city of Hiroshima.
Me the man
The singer identifies themselves as being male.
She the junkie
The artist refers to another as a drug addict.
I drink whisky to forgive her
Consuming whiskey as an act of forgiveness towards another.
As children look and sing
Observing young ones who are singing.
Where did this begin?
Questioning where the current situation or circumstance originated from.
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Repeated reference to Hiroshima, in combination with the words 'mama' and 'papa'.
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Repeated reference to Hiroshima, in combination with the words 'mama' and 'papa'.
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Repeated reference to Hiroshima, in combination with the words 'mama' and 'papa'.
Hiroshimama... Papa...
Repeated reference to Hiroshima, in combination with the words 'mama' and 'papa'.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.