The move to Vancouver seemed inevitable. With a budding Indie Music Scene being fueled by the success of The New Pornographers and new musical talent at their disposal, Bend Sinister left the comforts of their home to explore everything that the new city had to offer. After selling out a four song EP and acquiring a new guitar player and drummer, the band was ready to record their first full –length studio album. With only $5000 in their pockets, the band sought out local producer Shawn Cole who agreed to produce what would be their 2005 debut release ‘Through The Broken City.’
Featuring well-constructed keyboard driven songs, enhanced by vocal flourishes and virtuoso guitar solos ‘Through The Broken City’ awed critics and audiences across the nation. Fusing together many different styles including Progressive, Psychedelic, Rock, and Pop, the struggle to categorize Bend Sinister had now become a losing battle. In support of their debut release, Bend Sinister hit the road, for three nationwide tours.
With all the experiences from the road and many new tales to tell, Bend Sinister returned to the studio in 2006 to record a few new songs, which included the single ‘Time Breaks Down.’ Rated one of the top 10 songs of 2006 by Grant Lawrence’s CBC Radio 3 Podcast, ‘Time Breaks Down’ catapulted the band into uncharted territory. Grabbing the attention of Distort president Greg Below (Alexisonfire, Cancer Bats), Bend Sinister signed a digital deal with Distort to release a 5 song EP. Released in the fall of 2007, the EP garnered plenty of plaudits from press across Canada and landed the band a CBC Radio 3 sponsored tour across Canada. Distort’s Greg Below was so impressed with the feedback from both press and audiences alike that he decided to launch Distort Light, a sister label to Distort to provide Bend Sinister with an outlet to release their music.
In February of 08, Bend Sinister headed into Mushroom Studios in Vancouver to record their follow-up to ‘Through The Broken City’. Determined to create an album that was much richer and fuller than their debut, Bend Sinister incorporated the talents of jazz veteran Bill Runge, as well as other guest musicians to enhance the tonal quality of the album through the use of strings, choirs and other instrumentation.
On October 21st 2008, Bend Sinister unveiled their much anticipated sophomore album ‘Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers’ on Distort Light. Once again seeking out the talent of Vancouver’s up and coming producer Shawn Cole, the album is a 14-song concept album that features some of the most unique and fully formed compositions the band has created to date. The decision to create a concept album sprung from the bands love and appreciation for listening to albums as a whole. Instead of focusing on a couple of key singles on an otherwise mediocre record, Bend Sinister was determined to create an album where every song was integral and contributed to the overall theme that the band was trying to convey. After relentless compositional fury, every track featured on ‘Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers’ seamlessly fit together like puzzle pieces, enticing the listener from start to finish.
Amidst all the excitement of touring, recording a new album and signing a record deal, Bend Sinister has seen various lineup changes. Though names and faces have changed, what still remains is the passion and love to create music that is always honest and refreshingly original.
Don't You Know
Bend Sinister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a secret for you.
But if I tell you what it is,
you have to promise me you won't
tell a soul.
Which just between
you and I.
if this gets out.
I have no doubt
that things are gunna get a little bit crazy,
around here.
When I dont
want that on our minds.
()
Well can't you see?
What you do to me?
Oh can't you tell?
That you got me under your spell?
Maybe I confide
oh cus I just cant hide.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
(Bridge)
()
Well can't you see?
What you do to me?
Oh can't you tell?
That you got me under your spell?
Maybe I confide
oh cus I just cant hide.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
The lyrics of Bend Sinister's song "Don't You Know?" convey a secret that the singer is keeping from their love interest. The singer elicits the promise of secrecy before sharing the secret with them because they fear that it might cause chaos if it gets out. It appears that the singer is struggling to suppress their feelings for the love interest but eventually confesses that they are in love with them.
The chorus suggests that the love interest has cast a spell on the singer, and they cannot escape their feelings. The singer is torn between love and the fear of the chaos that revealing their feelings could cause. The bridge reinforces the singer's dependency on the love interest, and they wish to stop pretending that they are not in love.
The song's lyrics suggest secrecy, vulnerability and the fear of the unknown that can only be found in a relationship. Bend Sinister delivers these emotions seamlessly with guitar riffs and the lead singer's powerful voice, making it an enchanting song.
Line by Line Meaning
Dont you know?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
I got a secret for you.
I have something to tell you that not many people know about.
But if I tell you what it is,
However, if I share it with you,
you have to promise me you won't
tell a soul.
you must not share it with anyone else.
Which just between
you and I.
It will remain only between the two of us.
Cus girl, if this gets out.
Because if anyone else finds out about this,
I have no doubt that things are gunna get a little bit crazy, around here.
I believe that it could cause chaos and confusion amongst us and those around us.
When I dont want that on our minds.
And I do not want to be consumed by those negative feelings and emotions.
Well can't you see?
What you do to me?
Can't you understand how much you affect me?
Oh can't you tell?
That you got me under your spell?
Can't you see how much of an influence you have over me?
Maybe I confide
oh cus I just cant hide.
Perhaps I am sharing this secret because I cannot keep my feelings hidden anymore.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I want to stop acting like I'm not in love with you.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I want to stop pretending that I do not have feelings for you.
(Bridge)
Musical interlude without lyrics.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I want to be honest with you about my feelings and not hide my emotions anymore.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I do not want to pretend that I am not deeply in love with you anymore.
I wanna stop pretending
that I ain't in love with you.
I want to come clean about my true feelings and not keep my emotions bottled up anymore.
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
randomname
This song deserves waaay more views. The world is unjust
Bend Sinister
Put this bad boy on repeat for a week! haha Thanks for diggin!
TheDiningTable
You guys are just plain awesome
emperor scott
Such a fantastic song! You guys quite literally - ROCK!!!!!
Svend Gregori
Heard you guys on the radio the other day and man I just had an eargasm. That electronic organ and the melody UGH SO GOOOD! Got this song playing on loop.
canukkid
goooood work! :D love it guys! just saw you in Toronto at The Houseshoe Tavern. GREAT SHOW!
Andrea Smith
Such a great song and great video ! You guys Rock !
TheSuspectSounds
Your videos have been blowing my mind dudes! Keep rocking! And if you could, play a show in Edmonton, Ab!
Roxxy Allin
This is a favourite!!! Good Work!!!
Ryan Blake
Nice!! Stoked for your appearance at CMJ Music Marathon