Taking their name from the '80s sitcom, Belvedere began in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1995 as the three-piece of Steve Rawles (guitar/vocals), Brock (bass), and Dan Hrynuik (drums).
As the years progressed along with their revolving lineup, Belvedere remained with their melodic pop-punk sound that looked up to the likes of Bad Religion and NOFX. Eventually recruiting second guitarist Scott Solo, replacement drummer Jay Hollywood, and a replacement bassist Jaison Synclair, the quartet released their debut album, "Because No One Stopped Us", in 1998 through Hourglass and 206 Records. After spending most of 1999 on the road, along with Bad Religion and Strung Out, for a stint -- 206 Records put out Belvedere's follow-up album, "Angels Live in My Town", in early 2000. In 2001, the Montreal imprint Union 2112 released "Twas Hell Said Former Child", Belvedere's proper second album that coincided their first ever European tour. A split release with Downway, "Hometown Advantage", was issued in 2003. When it came time to recovene for another studio album, Belvedere joined producer Blair Calibaba (Sum 41) in Calgary for the recording of "Fast Forward Eats the Tape". Shared dates with Death by Stereo, Tsunami Bomb and Misconduct followed in Spring 2004. The band broke up in late 2005, playing their last show to their hometown Calgary crowd in November.
On November 2011, the band's official Facebook page announced that the band was going to get together again for a couple of shows the next year, wich included two shows in Europe (playing their first show in Paris and appearing again at GroezRock after seven years), then five in Canada, three in Brazil and one again in Canada, in Vancouver, on June 16th. Being at first that their final show, it was later announced that they'll appear in another final event in Guelph, Canada, on September the 1st 2012, with fellow punkrockers The Fullblast, also reuniting for the ocasion, Grade and Moneen.
http://www.myspace.com/belvedere
Achilles
Belvedere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night
(I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small,
Pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven,
Forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
The lyrics of "Achilles" by Belvedere speak to themes of mortality, acceptance, and the inevitability of life's twists and turns. The song seems to open with a scene of chaos and violence, as the singer describes "flaming arrows" flying through the air, illuminating the night sky. Despite the tumultuousness of this scene, the singer remarks that this "familiar motion brought me here today," suggesting that they may be resigned to their fate.
As the song continues, the singer reflects on their situation, describing how the sky "opens up across the night" and makes them feel small and insignificant. However, they also seem to find solace in this realization, as they note that "all is forgiven, forgotten and sane." This could suggest that the singer has come to terms with their mortality, and feels at peace with whatever comes next.
The final verse of the song seems to imply that the singer's acceptance of their fate has been hard-won. They describe tears welling up in their eyes, and the sense that their time is almost up ("I'm sure it's over, Apollo said / Another arrow straight for my head"). Despite this, the singer seems to feel that they will be missed by at least some of those around them ("And others are elated now I'm gone / The river Styx it didn't cover all / My heart was missed as well / Where'd I go wrong?"). The song ends with a repetition of the earlier verses, emphasizing the idea that even in the face of death, the singer's voice and presence will live on.
Overall, "Achilles" is a poignant and reflective song that speaks to the themes of mortality and acceptance. The singer seems to have come to terms with their own impending death, finding solace in the beauty of the night sky and the idea that their voice and memory will endure even after they are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
The flaming arrows are flying high
The situation is dire and intense.
Illuminating the distant skies
The conflict is exposed for all to see.
My life is moving another way
The singer is going down the wrong path.
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The artist's own actions led them to this point.
The sky opens up across the night
The vastness of the world is in stark contrast to human life.
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
Humanity is insignificant in relation to the universe.
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
In the grand scheme of things, petty squabbles don't matter.
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The only thing that will live on after the artist is their legacy.
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
The artist is stunned by their current situation.
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
The artist is overwhelmed by their emotions.
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
The singer has lost all hope.
Another arrow straight for my head
The artist is doomed to fail.
And others are elated now I'm gone
The singer's enemies are rejoicing at their downfall.
The river Styx it didn't cover all
Even death cannot erase the singer's mistakes.
My heart was missed as well
The singer's wrongdoing also affected their personal relationships.
Where'd I go wrong?
The artist questions their own actions.
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The artist's flaws will lead to their downfall.
The sky opens up across the night
The vastness of the world is once again emphasized.
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
Humanity's insignificance is reiterated.
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
The artist's struggles are ultimately inconsequential.
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The artist's legacy will be their only lasting impact.
The sky opens up across the night
The artist is resigned to their fate.
(I'm not getting out alive this time)
The singer knows they will not survive.
Leaving us so small,
Humanity is small and insignificant.
Pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Even in death, the singer's legacy will persist.
All is forgiven,
The singer's struggles are ultimately meaningless.
Forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
In the grand scheme of things, the singer's actions don't matter.
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The artist's only hope for a legacy is through their art or words.
The sound of my voice, if not my name
The artist's voice will live on after their death.
Writer(s): scott davison marshall, casey james lewis, steven robert rawles, jason michael sinclair
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joseloro
Marcelão achei essa caralha! toma ai!
The flaming arrows are flying high
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
@joseloro
Ai Gabriel! Pega essa letra então!!
The flaming arrows are flying high
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
@WarryouLinder
The flaming arrows are flying high
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
tears welling upwards inside my eyes
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
@blink0r
The flaming arrows are flying high
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
"I'm sure it's over" Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
@joseloro
The flaming arrows are flying high
Illuminating the distant skies
My life is moving another way
Familiar motion, it brought me here today
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
I'm hunching forward to my surprise
Tears welling upwards inside my eyes
I'm sure it's over, Apollo said
Another arrow straight for my head
And others are elated now I'm gone
The river Styx it didn't cover all
My heart was missed as well
Where'd I go wrong?
Calcaneus explodes and then we'll fall
The sky opens up across the night
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sky opens up across the night (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Leaving us so small, pinpoints of light (I'm not getting out alive this time)
All is forgiven, forgotten and sane (I'm not getting out alive this time)
Through the sound of my voice, if not my name
The sound of my voice, if not my name
@Lcsdrums
This is a masterpiece, every line of instrument fits so well together! thanks for that guys and long life to Belvedere!
@andyrobertson9096
Try being in a band and then try write a song like that. That takes 10+ years of sacrifice and sticking to what simply sounds fucking superb. Hand on heart was in a band for 4 years and played with belvedere at the met lounge in peterborough and they came all thw over from canada and played in front of 30 people. I was blown away by the tightness. Thank the fucking lord you reunited and created one of the best melodic punk albums of the 21st century. Strung out T.D.A comes close but you hust took the gold metal. Your loyal fan. Andy
@gimmigimmigimmi
"fucking superbe". this is pretty bland punk rock man
@AzurahStone
To compare Belvedere to strung out.....
Doesn't sound very punk rock to me.
How can u possibly say a band over 20 years in the business that had probably the best drummer in melodic punk Jordan burns playing for them comes close... WHAT.
Belvedere is great and have their own sound nothing like strung outs.. That's insulting 😂😂😅
@AzurahStone
Dude strung out had Jim cherry everyone knows who Jim cherry was.. Strung out is legendary mate
@theoutbreaker666
@KangaBeast This is music not the fucking olympics - Both bands are stakeholders in my top 10 bands of all time, sitting comfortably next to the likes of Jawbreaker and Samiam - You'd don't collect medals at the end of a show and anyone that thinks there's any apples to apples comparison in music like this is showing their maturity. Belvedere absolutely ignite - So do Strung Out. Hot damn, there's two bands that life would be miserable without where i'm sat!!
@marcobucci
Love the song, and this entire album
@fugzzi6942
Such an underrated band, mind-blowing melodic punkrock here
@jessicadefreitas9365
Amazing song. Excelente banda!
@Gobs88
Fantástico, essas 2 até agora criaram uma expectativa ainda maior.