The band's core members were Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. This duo recorded and released the band's ambient debut album Feel Good Lost, in 2001, with contributions from Ohad Benchetrit (also known as Years), Evan Cranley, Leslie Feist, Justin Peroff, Bill Priddle, and Charles Spearin. All of these musicians would emerge as key members of Broken Social Scene in future endeavors.
After the release of Feel Good Lost (an almost entirely instrumental album), Drew and Canning decided to transition the band into a more energetic sound reflective of the Toronto indie music scene of the early 2000's. As a result, they brought in a number of local artistic and musicial friends -- the Apostle of Hustle Andrew Whiteman, Jason Collett, Metric's Emily Haines, and Leslie Feist -- to flesh out their live show with lyrics and vocals. Over time, the band also came to include contributions from James Shaw, John Crossingham, Lisa Lobsinger, Julie Penner, Sam Goldberg, and Stars' Amy Millan.
Many of the later guest musicians joined with Drew, Canning, Peroff and Spearin to record the band's second album You Forgot It In People in 2002 on the label Arts & Crafts. This album, an eclectic, restlessly creative collection of experimental yet accessible pop songs, became the band's critical and commercial breakthrough -- it was greeted with widely positive reviews, and landed on many music critics' year-end Best-Of lists. For the success of the release, Broken Social Scene was awarded the Alternative Album of the Year Juno Award in 2003.
The album also included musical contributions by Bill Priddle, Jessica Moss, Brodie West, Susannah Brady and Ohad Benchetrit, but these were credited as supporting musicians rather than band members. On the supporting tour, the band consisted of Drew, Canning, Peroff, Whiteman and Jason Collett, along with whoever else was available to attend any individual show. Amy Millan and Gentleman Reg also joined for some shows.
In 2004, the B-sides and remix collection Bee Hives was released.
Broken Social Scene released their third full-length, self-titled album on October 4, 2005, with new contributors including k-os, Jason Tait and Murray Lightburn. The inside booklet accompanying album also noted several new faces as part of Broken Social Scene. A limited edition EP To Be You And Me was also printed along with the album. For the first time David Newfeld, who had produced Broken Social Scene's albums, was listed as a band member.
The group appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on January 31, 2006 performing 7/4 (Shoreline). During the several-year recording hiatus that followed, many members focused on their respective solo musical efforts; Drew and Canning both released albums under the name Broken Social Scene. The entire band appeared in the 2009 film The Time Traveler's Wife, performing an acoustic/folk-like cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." In Spring 2009, the band reported that it was in the process of recording a new album under the production guidance of John McEntire (of The Sea and Cake and Tortoise). The album, titled Forgiveness Rock Record, was released on May 4, 2010.
It was announced on August 15, 2011 that the band would go on an indefinite hiatus following an October 1, 2011 show featuring Isaac Brock and a fall tour in support of TV on the Radio. On November 8, 2011, a tweet in advance of a concert in Rio de Janeiro stated that it would be the band's final live performance.
The band returned in 2017 with a tour of Europe, Canada, and California. Their new single "Half-Way Home", was part of their latest album due to be released later in 2017. This was their first time writing a full-length album in 7 years.
The sub-unit of K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN - BSS incorrectly redirects here. Alternatively, please use 부석순.
Time = Cause
Broken Social Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got fornication crimes
I've seen your hope on television
Where you've been, you were not were
They've got tricycles in skirts
This is a mouth that needs religion
And they all want to love the cause
They all want to fuck the cause
So take me down, down through this
Kill the common law that missed
This is the blood I love to share
Little pistols and companion halls
Desperation tentacles
I've been alone since '89
We've got a menstruating disguise
They know the three completes the five
This is a church that should believe
And they all want to free the cause
Because they all need to dream a cause
They all need to be a cause
You've got all and it's
Pretty good, but I
Seem to be in disbelief
You come in, check my time
You've got fornication crimes
I've seen your death on television
Cue immortal childlike times
Separation is divine
Here is a strike beneath your knees
And they all want to love the cause
Because they all need to be the cause
They all want to fuck the cause
Take me down, down through this
Kill the white within the bliss
Here is a waiting room that wants to save your life
And they all want to love the cause
They all need to be the cause
They all want to dream a cause
They all need to fuck the cause
The lyrics to "Cause = Time" by Broken Social Scene are complex and open to interpretation, with a mix of political and personal themes. At its core, the song seems to be about the desperation for change and the desire to make a difference in the world - whether that be in a larger political sense or in one's personal life.
The first verse seems to touch on the idea of sexuality and religion, with "fornication crimes" and the mention of needing religion. The line "They all want to love the cause, because they all need to be the cause" can be interpreted as people seeking to align themselves with a greater purpose or movement, and finding meaning and identity within that. The repetition of "fuck the cause" can be seen as a critique of those who are more interested in the appearance of making a difference than the actual impact they're having.
The second verse has a darker tone, with imagery of blood and desperation. The line "I've been alone since '89" suggests a deep sense of isolation and disillusionment, and the use of the phrase "menstruating disguise" can be interpreted as a commentary on how women are often expected to hide their natural bodily processes. The repetition of "they all want to free the cause" echoes the earlier line about wanting to love the cause, but suggests a more active desire to fight for change.
Overall, "Cause = Time" is a powerful anthem for those who feel trapped by their circumstances and are looking for a way to create meaning and impact in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
You come in, check my time
You enter and check my watch
You've got fornication crimes
You have committed sexual offenses
I've seen your hope on television
I have witnessed your optimism on TV
Where you've been, you were not were
Where you have been, you were not there
They've got tricycles in skirts
They have bicycles in skirts
This is a mouth that needs religion
This is a person who needs religion
And they all want to love the cause
Everyone wants to support this movement
Because they all need to be the cause
Because everyone wants to be involved in the movement
They all want to fuck the cause
Everyone wants to take advantage of the movement
So take me down, down through this
Take me down through this situation
Kill the common law that missed
Get rid of the ineffective laws
This is the blood I love to share
This is what I want to contribute to the cause
Little pistols and companion halls
Small weapons and meeting places
Desperation tentacles
Desperate actions
I've been alone since '89
I have been isolated since 1989
We've got a menstruating disguise
Our disguise is constantly changing
They know the three completes the five
They understand the bigger picture
This is a church that should believe
This is a group that should have faith
You've got all and it's
Pretty good, but I
Seem to be in disbelief
You have everything and it's good, but for some reason, I can't believe it
Cue immortal childlike times
Remember the innocence of childhood
Separation is divine
Being apart from others is a spiritual experience
Here is a strike beneath your knees
Here is a painful blow to your legs
Kill the white within the bliss
Get rid of the negative aspects that are intertwined with happiness
Here is a waiting room that wants to save your life
There is help available to improve your situation
Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRENDAN CANNING, DAVID STEFAN NEWFELD, KEVIN DREW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mijreed
Half of Canada plays hockey, the other half are in BSS
@matthewjohnsonisnot
+Mike Reed
As a Canadian, I approve this message. :)
@SoundersAgirl
+Mike Reed I fucking love this comment so much!
@XXXGaaraFan2013XXX69
+Mike Reed Was this simply a joke implying we have a small population / BSS has a lot of members? or i'm missing something?
@matthewjohnsonisnot
They have a lot of members and we like hockey.
That's how I took it.
@XXXGaaraFan2013XXX69
matthew johnson Thats it? figured there was something more subtle to it.
@aBunnyThatWillChewOnYourCables
I love this song so much. Broken Social Scene has so many gems, it's a shame so many people are unaware of them.
@creekandseminole
2000's college rock indie scene they were huge
@MrE5785
Same, can you recommend any similar bands?
@hexxix5869
@@MrE5785 First time listening to this and it instantly reminded me of Dinosaur Jr. so there you go