The band was formed i… Read Full Bio ↴By Divine Right is a Canadian indie rock band.
The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist and vocalist José Miguel Contreras and drummer Mark Goldstein. They put out a number of independent releases before signing to Nettwerk for their 1997 album All Hail Discordia. Bassist Brendan Canning and guitarist Leslie Feist joined the band for their 1999 release Bless This Mess. Canning and Feist later left the band, and have both been involved with Broken Social Scene.
In 2003 By Divine Right became one of the only Canadian bands to do a concert tour of China.
From 2001 to 2004, the band's lineup consisted of Contreras, Colleen Hixenbaugh, Brian Borcherdt, John Hall and Dylan Hudecki. In 2004, drummer John Hall was replaced by Cam Giroux (who played on Good Morning Beautiful), while Borcherdt and Hudecki both left the band. Hudecki was replaced by Darcy Rego and then Michael Small (both of The Meligrove Band) for their tours supporting Sweet Confusion. Filling in on drums for some dates was Loel Campbell (of Wintersleep).
Most recently, the band's lineup consisted of Contreras, Hixenbaugh and Small with drummer Derek Downham, though a September 2006 show at the Drake Hotel in Toronto had Contreras performing all new songs with Rego, Small and Jason Nunes (the core members of The Meligrove Band) under the By Divine Right name. In 2007, By Divine Right contributed a cover of Rheostatics' "Shaved Head" to the tribute album The Secret Sessions, with a lineup consisting only of Contreras and Julien Beillard of the band Wooden Stars.
By Divine Right's first live show since 2006 happened on December 31, 2007 at the Tranzac Club in Toronto -- at which the band's new full-time lineup of Contreras, Stew Heyduk (of The Golden Dogs) and Mitch Perkins (formerly of Rusty) appeared together for the first time.
In May 2008, By Divine Right opened a show for The Golden Dogs at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern with yet another new lineup, consisting of Contreras, Heyduk, and Darcy Rego returning on drums.
Big Gorilla
By Divine Right Lyrics
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Everybody wants to borrow my clothes
Everybody wants to ride the A-train
Everybody knows, everybody knows
Well alright
Make it so good
Think I understand
Everybody knows that you're the reason
Everybody knows you glow in the dark
Everybody wants to know the (?)
Everybody knows I'm a big gorilla
Well alright
Make it so good
Think I understand
When you make it so good
The song "Big Gorilla" by By Divine Right appears to be a song about a person who is known for their strength and power. The lyrics "Everybody knows I'm a big gorilla" suggest that this person is well known and respected for their physical prowess, perhaps in a professional or competitive setting. The opening line may also be a reference to the idiom "the 800-pound gorilla in the room," which refers to a powerful or dominant presence that is difficult to ignore.
The next lines, "Everybody wants to borrow my clothes / Everybody wants to ride the A-train," suggest that this person's strength and influence have made them popular and attractive to others. People want to associate with them and benefit from their success. The repetition of "everybody knows" throughout the song emphasizes the widespread recognition and admiration of this person.
The chorus, "Well alright / Make it so good / Think I understand / Said I think I understand," may be interpreted as the singer acknowledging and accepting their own subordinate position to the "big gorilla." They understand and appreciate the power and appeal of this person, and are content to follow in their shadow.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows I'm a big gorilla
I am a powerful and dominant person that everyone is aware of.
Everybody wants to borrow my clothes
People are always asking to use what belongs to me.
Everybody wants to ride the A-train
People desire to be associated with my success and ride the wave of my achievements.
Everybody knows, everybody knows
It's a well-known fact that I am respected and influential.
Everybody knows that you're the reason
It's common knowledge that you are responsible for the current situation.
Everybody knows you glow in the dark
You are extraordinary and easily recognizable to everyone, even in the darkness.
Everybody wants to know the (?)
People are curious about the secrets or mysterious aspects of your life.
When you make it so good
When you excel or accomplish something great.
Think I understand
I believe that I comprehend what is happening or being said.
Said I think I understand
I am stating that I believe I have grasped the situation or information.
Contributed by Evan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.