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
The Architect
Belvedere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waves his magic wand
Get down on your knees
Wonder what's the spell he′s cast on you?
But there's a world we fear it every day
Altruistic thoughts make it a better way
Follow them no matter what they do
No voice, no sound, no knocking on your door or asking around
It's easy to analyse everything you do and more
But you won′t step out
But you won′t go out will you?
Crazy, oblivious, and it's right outside your door
But you don′t go out
But you won't go out
Now you′re viewing all your favourite sites
Tracking what you love, take away your rights
The right to think, evaluate and choose
An endless world, least that's what you thought
Customized for you whether you like or not
Follow it no matter what they do
Deny your fate, one piece of thinking that′s off your plate
Your thoughts amplified, reading everything you do
It's easy to analyse everything you do and more
But you won't step out
But you won′t go out will you?
Crazy, oblivious, and it′s right outside your door
But you don't go out
But you won′t go out
No voice, no sound, no knocking on your door or asking around
Your truth has died
Reading everything you do – you do!
It's easy to analyse everything you do and more
But you won′t step out
But you won't will you?
Crazy, oblivious, and it′s right outside your door
But you don't go out
It's big brother, doesn′t matter what′s behind
Controlled fundamentals under all you lies
It's big brother, doesn′t matter what's behind
Reading everything you do
Belvedere's song "The Architect" is a commentary on our modern-day society and the impact of technology and media on our lives. The song begins by describing a man who lives on our TV and holds us under his control. He has cast a spell on us, and we are blindly following his every move, no matter where it leads. The lyrics suggest that we are living in a world of fear, and we must follow altruistic thoughts to make it a better way.
As the song progresses, it delves into the notion that we've become trapped in a virtual world that gives us an illusion of freedom. We're living in an endless world, but we've lost control over our thoughts and freedom to think, evaluate, and choose. The world is customized to our likings, but it's not making us better. We've become oblivious to the real world that exists outside our doors.
The lyric's message reflects the dangers of technology and media and the way we are often kept captive by our devices. It's a wake-up call to encourage us to step out of our virtual worlds and experience the real world that exists outside.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man, he lives on your TV
There's a figure on your television screen who is captivating your attention
Waves his magic wand
He has a powerful influence over your thoughts and beliefs
Get down on your knees
You are being subservient to this figure and his ideas
Wonder what's the spell he's cast on you?
You're questioning what kind of hold this figure has over you
But there's a world we fear it every day
There is a world outside of this influence that we are afraid of facing
Altruistic thoughts make it a better way
Thinking about others and being selfless can help us create a better world
Follow them no matter what they do
We should stick to these thoughts and principles, even in the face of adversity
No voice, no sound, no knocking on your door or asking around
No one is physically imposing this influence on you, it's coming from within the technology you interact with
Your thoughts amplified, reading everything you do
Your digital footprint is being analyzed and used to manipulate your thoughts and behaviors
It's easy to analyse everything you do and more
Advancements in technology make it simpler to collect and analyze this data
But you won't step out
Despite being aware of this, you're reluctant to step outside of your comfort zone
But you won't go out will you?
You're hesitant to confront the outside world and face the reality of the situation
Crazy, oblivious, and it's right outside your door
It may seem insane, but this danger is present and close to you
Now you're viewing all your favourite sites
You are continuing to engage with technology in the same way, even though it's influencing you
Tracking what you love, take away your rights
The use of your data is taking away your freedom and control over your own choices
The right to think, evaluate and choose
You are being robbed of your autonomy and ability to make independent decisions
An endless world, least that's what you thought
The digital realm seems boundless, but it's actually constricting your worldview
Customized for you whether you like or not
Your online experience is being tailored to manipulate you, regardless of your preferences
Deny your fate, one piece of thinking that's off your plate
You need to take control of your own thinking and be aware of how you're being influenced
Your thoughts amplified, reading everything you do
Your digital actions are still being analyzed and your thoughts manipulated
But you won't step out
You're still hesitant to take action and confront the problem
But you won't will you?
You're reluctant to make a change, even if you're aware of the problem
It's big brother, doesn't matter what's behind
This manipulation and surveillance is akin to George Orwell's concept of Big Brother
Controlled fundamentals under all your lies
This manipulation goes deeper than just your digital footprint and is affecting fundamental aspects of your thinking
Reading everything you do
Your actions are being observed and manipulated, and it's time to take action
Writer(s): belvedere
Contributed by Zachary V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.