No, you won't find their picture gracing the cover of their album. Their sweaters hold as much appeal as their faces do. What you will find however is a collection of songs that cover all the bases of the great potential of indie rock (whatever that means anymore).
BFW appreciate the irony of They Might Be Giants, the dire lyrical nature of The Eels, and the melodic sweetness of Elvis Costello. Why must a band only encompass one version of that vague idea that is pop music? BFW understands that labels, managers, bookers, and indeed the listening public would much prefer a band that stuck to one thing and repeated themselves into oblivion. This is why BFW is destined for failure. The inclusion of jazz voicings, Beach Boy harmonies, and Latin rhythms is only a sliver of the variety the band plans on exploring on future releases.
The band is aware that to reach people in a more signifcant way, they must exclude a large portion of their potential audience, much in the same way the Pixies and The Velvet Underground have done. You either love those bands or you have never heard of them. BFW falls into that category. In the years to come, they are looking forward to excluding as many people as possible.
PARADE
Beware Fashionable Women Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm the asshole
I didn't think you'd break so easily
But now that you're broken
I'm feeling so lonesome
I can't believe you're doing this to me
So I'm stopping my speaking
And I don't think that anybody cares
If they want to reach me
They know where to find me
I'd like to see if anybody dares
There was no parade when I came home
A bag of isolation is all I own
Of all these people I used to call friends
There's not a one I'd like to see again
But if they could see me
The way that I see me
There'd be a better world for all involved
I don't feel like trying as I feel myself dying
I wonder if they'll notice when I'm gone
But as people leave me this song gains it's meaning
Who can stop them from being who they are?
They don't realize that I really don't need this
As this song's really about my guitar
There was no parade when I came home
A bag of isolation is all I own
Of all these people I used to call friends
There's not a one I'd like to see
There's not a one I'd like to see
There's not a one I'd like to see
I'll move to New York City
Where everyone goes to make it
I'll move to New York City
Where everyone goes to be famous
I'll rent out a loft in Brooklyn
I'll never see the light of day
I'll lead a bohemian army
And throw my own parade
The lyrics to Parade by Beware Fashionable Women depict a sense of isolation and betrayal. The singer sings about feeling like an outsider, as if they don't belong anywhere. The opening lines reveal the sense of surprise that the singer experiences upon realizing that they may have hurt someone they care about. They never thought they were capable of this, and the realization is devastating.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly despondent. They feel like no one is listening to them and no one cares about their struggles. The reference to the "bag of isolation" speaks to the loneliness and isolation that the singer feels. They have lost touch with people they used to call friends, and they no longer feel like they have a place in the world.
The final two stanzas of the song reveal a turning point, however. The singer decides that they are going to move to New York City and start fresh. They want to be famous and lead a bohemian life, throwing their own parade. The song ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that the singer has found a way to move past their feelings of isolation and find a new sense of purpose.
Overall, Parade is a deeply emotional and honest song that speaks to the feelings of many people who have experienced isolation, betrayal, and a sense of not belonging. The lyrics capture a powerful sense of longing and despair, but also of hope and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't know you were so fragile
I underestimated your emotional strength
But I'm the asshole
I realize now that I acted insensitively or hurtful towards you
I didn't think you'd break so easily
I didn't think something like this would have hurt you that much
But now that you're broken
I can see that my actions have caused you pain and hurt
I'm feeling so lonesome
I feel isolated and alone because of my actions
I can't believe you're doing this to me
I am in denial that my own actions are what led to this situation
So I'm stopping my speaking
I'm choosing not to communicate anymore
'Cause no one is listening
I feel like nobody is interested or cares about what I have to say
And I don't think that anybody cares
I don't believe anyone is invested in me or my well-being
If they want to reach me
If someone really wants to talk to me
They know where to find me
They know where I am or how to contact me
I'd like to see if anybody dares
I want to see if anyone actually cares enough to reach out to me
There was no parade when I came home
No one welcomed me back or celebrated my return
A bag of isolation is all I own
All I have left is loneliness and isolation
Of all these people I used to call friends
The people I used to trust and love
There's not a one I'd like to see again
I am so hurt and disappointed in them that I cannot bear to see them again
But if they could see me
If they could understand my perspective
The way that I see me
How I perceive myself and my situation
There'd be a better world for all involved
Our relationships could have been better if they had understood me
I don't feel like trying as I feel myself dying
I feel defeated, depressed and without hope
I wonder if they'll notice when I'm gone
I question whether anyone would notice or care if I disappeared
But as people leave me this song gains it's meaning
My music becomes my way of releasing my emotions and coping with my loneliness
Who can stop them from being who they are?
I cannot control how other people act or behave
They don't realize that I really don't need this
Other people's opinions, behaviors or actions do not matter to me anymore
As this song's really about my guitar
My music and songwriting helps me process and express my feelings and emotions
I'll move to New York City
I'll start anew in a different place
Where everyone goes to make it
A city that has a reputation of opportunities and success
Where everyone goes to be famous
People chase their dreams and aspirations in the big city
I'll rent out a loft in Brooklyn
I'll find a place to live that suits my new lifestyle
I'll never see the light of day
I'll become isolated and reclusive in a new environment
I'll lead a bohemian army
I'll embrace a countercultural and artistic way of life
And throw my own parade
I'll celebrate my own way of life with my music
Contributed by Christian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tisvana Allen
This is my favorite song