The name of the group is derived etymologically from Swedish liquor Brännvin, a style of spirit best described as low-grade vodka. The name originated as a joke associated with the taupe-coloured Volkswagen Camper Van owned by Bergen in the mid-1990s which was said to run solely on bran flakes, brännvin and brand recognition when carrying the artists on tour around Canada.
1994–1996: Formation
In 1994, James Di Salvio (b. November 28, 1972) had received a royalty cheque for work on a remix he had done on a track for Quebec songwriter Jean Leloup, and invited his friend E.P. Bergen (b. 13 April 1972) to "come help him spend the money".[2] The two got together in Manhattan and coined Bran Van 3000 in 1994. Di Salvio was a video director and asked E.P. to come teach him how to produce tracks with a sampler and turntables. Together they went and bought studio equipment in Times Square. E.P. returned to Montreal and immediately co-wrote/produced a single with Jean Leloup called: "Johnny Go". E.P. invited James to come over and record his first ever rap on that song. It later went to number one in the Quebec charts. James Di Salvio also directed the music video. This was in effect the first ever Bran Van 3000 collaboration.
Together James and E.P. went back to New York to record "Forest" and "Ma Chambre" for Jean Leloup's platinum album "Le Dome". These tracks were very successful, leading to a record deal with Audiogram Records. Together with Haig V, they co-produced the first BV3 album. Jean Leloup gave "Forest" to Bran Van 3000. Bergen started a cover of "Come On Feel The Noise" with plans to have Sara Johnston sing on it. Di Salvio discovered Liquid. In 1996, the album was almost finished. As a joke, James and E.P. sent a demo of the unfinished songs "Drinking In LA", "Couch Surfer" and "Everywhere" to the Canadian Music Week contest. Bran Van 3000 came in first place with another act (Jack Rustle), but got disqualified because there was no real band to perform the showcase. They finished the album and E.P. started auditioning the touring band that included Gary Mackenzie, Nick Hynes and Rob Joanisse.
1996–1999: Glee
Bran Van 3000 finally released their first single, "Drinking in L.A.", in February 1997 in Canada. In April of the same year, the band released their first album, called Glee. The record went gold in 1998 and won a Juno Award for best alternative album. It contained 17 tracks, one of them entirely in French called "Forest" featuring Jean Leloup. "Afrodiziak", produced by E.P. Bergen sold 100 000 copies in Germany with EMI and appeared in the movie XChange. The song "Everywhere" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Practical Magic and "Drinking in L.A." was featured in the soundtrack to Playing by Heart. "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" (later "Une chanson") contains the main melody of "Perfect" song from The The.
In March 1998, Glee was released internationally albeit some changes: "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" became an instrumental simply called "Une chanson"; the French song, "Forest", was reworked with several English verses. The international version has 19 tracks. Previously unreleased songs are "Rainshine", "Carry On" and "Old School".
After signing with Capitol Records, Bran Van 3000 began a massive touring schedule. It started across Canada, then zigzagged across the United States in Bob Dylan's Tour bus. Every day, the band was waiting for confirmation of show dates. The dates were sometimes confirmed the day before and the band would have to drive for ten hours to the next gig, only to find the posters rolled up in the coat check of many venues instead of on the walls. This inadequate tour planning forced the band to play in front of 20 to 50 people a night. Things eventually got better.
In Europe, EMI booked the band months ahead of time so that there was adequate promo. The band enjoyed larger crowds and got the rockstar treatment in every country in Western Europe. They also opened up for Massive Attack, Björk in sports arenas, as well as Pulp and Moby when they got back home.
In July 1998, "Drinking in L.A." reached No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] becoming their first transatlantic hit. In August 1999 the single was re-released after the song was featured in a popular TV commercial for Rolling Rock, and peaked at No. 3 in the UK.
2000–2001: Discosis
In 2000, E.P. Bergen temporarily quit Bran Van 3000 to make a solo record: Airport Lounge and work on HBO movie scores: "Dead Awake" starring Stephen Baldwin and "Swindle" starring Tom Sizemore and Dave Foley of The Kids in the Hall.
In the summer of 2001, Bran Van 3000 released the album Discosis. The song "Astounded" featured the final recorded performance from soul legend Curtis Mayfield before his death and became the most successful Canadian single by the collective. Other collaborators on the album were Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour and reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse. The song Go Shopping was featured on the soundtrack to the Mexican film Y tu mamá también.
2002–2006: Hiatus
In the summer of 2002 the band's Web site indicated that it was not working on new material or touring, nor did the band at that time had any plans of doing so.
2006–2007: Rosé
Unbeknownst to fans in 2006, E.P. Bergen contacted Audiogram and the publishers to obtain the initial financing of a third album. It was later announced that BV3 was working on a third album, Rosé, which was released in Canada on October 30 and in the US on November 27, 2007. Rosé was co-produced by James Di Salvio and Sara Johnston with the collaboration of Fatlip, Max-A-Million, Swanza, Chris Opperman, Noel Osborne and others. The album was written in Los Angeles and was recorded at Depeche Mode's studio and in Hollywood at Steve Vai's Studio. On July 1, 2008, the original group got back together, on stage, at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, playing songs from Rosé as well as some of their previous hits, in front of a crowd numbering around 180,000.
2010–2012: The Garden
After the death of his friend and father, Bobby Di Salvio, James got the collective back together and confirmed a new album on August 2010. "The Garden" was released on October 19, 2010. Since then Di Salvio and parts of the group are touring through Montreal and Canada, collaborating with different singers and instrumentalists like Pierre-Luc Cérat, Nick Hynes, Pascal Lepage Stéphane Moraille.
Exactly Like Me
Bran Van 3000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm with stupid and stupid's with me
Let's climb to the top of the state bridge
And see how stupid we can be, be
'Cause this is the first song
But definitely not the song
I know that you are liquid
The things I've imagined to do
Would really quite astound you
I don't do 'em, I just feel 'em
And two times two is chicken
I am your state of mind
I am your state of mind
So why can't you be
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Like Madonna, so emotional
No car wreck, suicide
The stairway so unclimbable
No house to hide inside
Your house, your house
Your house I will explore
Your cold marble floors and secret doors
The fine lines of your architecture
And if you need me
I'll come and see thee, I'll be your visitor
We'll play kissy kissy and have a baby
And figure out what we're alive for
I am your state of mind
I am your state of mind
So why can't you be
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
Exactly like me?
The song "Exactly Like Me" by Bran Van 3000 is a quirky and playful love song that is most likely about the desire for a deeper connection with someone. The first verse talks about wanting to be silly and carefree with the person, even if it means being stupid together by climbing a bridge. The chorus then repeats the phrase "Exactly like me?" over and over, suggesting a longing for a partner who understands the singer's state of mind and shares their quirks and idiosyncrasies.
The second verse takes a darker turn, referencing Madonna's emotional nature and the difficulties of life, like car wrecks and suicide. Despite these challenges, the singer still wants to explore the person's inner world by exploring their house and its secret doors. The bridge section of the song adds a touch of humor, with the line "two times two is chicken" highlighting the absurdity of the singer's imagination.
Overall, the song seems to be about two people who are slightly eccentric and looking for someone who understands and appreciates their quirks. The repeated phrase "exactly like me?" drives home the idea that finding someone who truly gets you is rare and precious.
Line by Line Meaning
I like what your t-shirt says
Expressing admiration for the messaging on a t-shirt that reads 'I'm with stupid and stupid's with me'
Let's climb to the top of the state bridge
Proposing a daredevil feat with a partner, with an unclear purpose or reward
And see how stupid we can be, be
Embracing the foolishness and clowning around with enthusiasm
'Cause this is the first song
Acknowledging the musical piece they are creating is just the beginning
But definitely not the song
Admitting that this particular song is not special compared to future ones
I know that you are liquid
Appreciating the emotional fluidity of their partner
For I'm the governess of alone
Claiming the role of a solitary referee or overseer
The things I've imagined to do
Listing personal fantasies that are possibly unrealizable
Would really quite astound you
Describing the awe-inspiring nature of those private dreams
I don't do 'em, I just feel 'em
Clarifying that the dreams are only felt, not acted upon
And two times two is chicken
Introducing a humorous and random statement that bears no significance
I am your state of mind
Declaring a link to the partner's cognitive and emotional way of being
So why can't you be
Posing a question that implies a desire for the partner to be similar to them
Exactly like me?
Repeating this inquiry for emphasis
Like Madonna, so emotional
Making a comparison to the pop icon for having heightened emotions
No car wreck, suicide
Suggesting the absence of catastrophes or tragedies
The stairway so unclimbable
Painting a picture of an insurmountable obstacle that conveys futility
No house to hide inside
Highlighting the lack of refuge or escapism
Your house, your house
Shifting the focus to the partner's living space
Your house I will explore
Promising to venture into the partner's personal sanctuary
Your cold marble floors and secret doors
Naming the specific features to be observed and revealing an intention for discovery
The fine lines of your architecture
Appreciating the structural details and artistic elements of their abode
And if you need me
Offering their assistance and availability
I'll come and see thee, I'll be your visitor
Stating their willingness to visit and be a guest in their house
We'll play kissy kissy and have a baby
Mentioning playful and romantic activities for a shared future
And figure out what we're alive for
Endowing a lofty goal of finding purpose and meaning in life
Exactly like me?
Repeating the question again for further emphasis and longing
Exactly like me?
Repeating the question yet again to drive home its importance
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: KENNETH RICHARD ROYSTER, THOMAS RICHARD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hart Viges
Moving up North...Hope they are still playing
An Vi
👍