Cousins Steven Delopoulos and John Philippidis were performing in a New Jersey coffeehouse when they were "discovered" by manager Jamison Ernest. The Brooklyn based cousins then assembled a larger band under the name "Burlap to Cashmere", recruiting guitarist Mike Ernest, bassist Roby Guarnera, keyboardist Josh Zandman, drummer Theodore Pagano and percussionist Scott Barksdale (John Degrazio eventually joined the band on bass when Guarnera left).
The group drew on a wide range of musical styles and influences, but their signature sound was rooted in lightning-fast acoustic guitar rhythms. The band began performing in local New York-area venues, and quickly developed a cult following. In 1997, they independently released their first EP under the label Squint, Live at the Bitter End. In 1998 Burlap to Cashmere signed with A&M Records and released the full-length recording Anybody Out There?, followed by an A&M re-release of Live at the Bitter End.
Santorini
Burlap To Cashmere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The children runnin' through the streets of old Thera
Filling my cup with joy and dancing in Hara
The sand was red, the sea was blue
Your eyes were burning in a stained volcano sky
Laoutas sound the horn to guide us, as the ocean seagulls fly
She is an island in the gypsy city night
She will melt away your sorrow in her santorini eyes
The western shores can be so cruel
I told Maria we would never be the same
We can't afford to play the mule
When debt is like a lion on the hunt for dignity and shame
She, is an island in the gypsy city night
She, you can hear the music playing as she opens up the sky
She will melt away your sorrow in her santorini eyes
She, is an island in the gypsy city night
She, you can hear the music playing as she opens up the sky
She will melt away your sorrow in her santorini
You can hear the music playing as she opens up the sky
She will melt away your sadness in her santorini eyes
The opening lines of Burlap To Cashmere's song Santorini refers to a sense of liberation and freedom. The singer seems surprised at finding themselves feeling so free. The next three lines introduce Thera, an ancient city on an island in Greece that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The mention of children running through the streets and filling the cup with joy conjures images of happiness and innocence. Hara refers to the ancient Greek goddess of fertility, and so the line "dancing in Hara" could be interpreted as a celebration of life and the abundance of nature. The next few lines emphasize the colors of the sea and sky, and the brightness of eyes. This could be a romantic interlude, capturing a moment of beauty before the song takes a more serious tone.
The tone of the song shifts towards the second half of the first verse, referencing the harshness of life in the Western world. The singer speaks of Maria, possibly a friend or family member, and the burden of debt that has stripped them of dignity. Debt is likened to a lion on the hunt, an apt metaphor for the predatory nature of lending and borrowing. It is implied that their visit to the island of Santorini offers a temporary escape from harsh realities. The chorus repeats the idea of the island as a refuge from the struggles of daily life, with the promise of melting away sorrow and sadness in Santorini's eyes.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the pursuit of happiness and the struggle to escape the burdens of life. The island of Santorini is depicted as a kind of paradise, a place of joy and freedom that offers relief from hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I'd be so free
I am amazed by the freedom and joy I am experiencing.
The children runnin' through the streets of old Thera
The sound of the children's laughter and play brings joy to my heart in the ancient city of Thera.
Filling my cup with joy and dancing in Hara
My heart overflows with happiness and I dance in the town square of Hara.
The sand was red, the sea was blue
The vibrant colors of the sand and sea awed me.
Your eyes were burning in a stained volcano sky
The color of your eyes perfectly complement the fiery sky of the volcano.
Laoutas sound the horn to guide us, as the ocean seagulls fly
The sound of the laoutas horn and the sight of seagulls flying over the ocean, guide us as we enjoy the island.
She is an island in the gypsy city night
Santorini is a refuge from the chaos and frenzy of city life.
She, you can hear the music playing as she opens up the sky
In Santorini, you can hear music playing and see the beauty of the sky above.
She will melt away your sorrow in her santorini eyes
The beauty and calmness of the island will ease your pain and sadness.
The western shores can be so cruel
Other parts of the world can be harsh and unforgiving.
I told Maria we would never be the same
I promised my friend, Maria, that our experience in Santorini would change us forever.
We can't afford to play the mule
We cannot ignore our problems or responsibilities.
When debt is like a lion on the hunt for dignity and shame
Living with debt can be a source of fear and shame.
You can hear the music playing as she opens up the sky
The beauty and serenity of Santorini is reflected in the music and sky above.
She will melt away your sadness in her santorini eyes
The island's beauty and warmth will help you forget your sadness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 23RD STREET PUBLISHING INC
Written by: JOHN CHRISTOPHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind