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.
Powersuit
By Divine Right Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in the band, there quiet in the loud
let it go
you know there's bigger fish to fry
and I know in the end I'll just think we are friends
beautiful and invincible, dove into the pool in that power suit
easy rider, you do no harm at all
you, don't forget the booty
flying down the highway solo
almost didn't come here
in the suit, you know there's always room for you,
yeah, you're so beautiful and invincible
the way you dove into the pool in the power suit
yeah easy rider, do no harm at all
cruise, don't forget the booty
I said you
don't forget the beauty
don't checking out the crank on the telephone
crying down the highway in solo
but not afraid to try, in the suit
come on, get your fingers in my pie
let it go you gotta hit or else you'll die
and I know in the end, that I'll just think you are friends
oh easy rider
do no harm at all,
cruise, do no harm at all
cruise, don't forget the booty
I said curies, don't forget the booty
easy rider, don't forget the booty x 4
yeah, yeah don't forget the booty
easy rider, don't forget the booty
The song "Powersuit" by By Divine Right is an anthem for feeling isolated even in a crowd. The lyrics describe someone who is hiding behind their powerful image, symbolized by the "powersuit," while feeling lonely and unrecognized. The song's verses talk about being in a band and feeling invisible amidst the noise and activity while also highlighting the importance of letting go and realizing there are more significant issues to focus on. The chorus emphasizes the beauty and invincibility projected by the wearer of the powersuit, and yet, they are still searching for something more. The easy rider mentioned in the lyrics is the one who doesn't harm anyone else and is advised not to forget the "booty," meaning not to forget what is truly important.
The song is a commentary on how many people put on a façade of power and strength, whether it be through their looks, their job, or their personality. The powersuit symbolizes this shield of protection and image that many create for themselves. However, in reality, many people still feel isolated and alone despite their projected image. The song emphasizes how it's essential to be true to oneself and to not forget what really matters in life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the suit, there's a lonely in the crowd
Wearing a power suit can make one feel isolated in a sea of people.
In the band, there quiet in the loud
Being part of a band can feel overshadowed by one's louder bandmates.
let it go
Advice to move on from whatever is bothering the singer.
you know there's bigger fish to fry
Reminding the listener that there are more important things to worry about.
and I know in the end I'll just think we are friends
The artist acknowledges that their relationship with the listener may not last long or deepen beyond friendship.
beautiful and invincible, dove into the pool in that power suit
The feeling of confidence and power that can come from wearing a power suit is compared to diving into a pool.
easy rider, you do no harm at all
The listener is described as harmless and easy-going.
you, don't forget the booty
A playful admonition to the listener to remember to enjoy life's pleasures.
don't recognize all the ride in the power stones
The artist recognizes that there are unknown or hidden aspects to the power that comes from wearing a power suit.
flying down the highway solo
The artist is driving alone, possibly feeling free yet also lonely.
almost didn't come here
The singer almost didn't go to their current location or situation.
in the suit, you know there's always room for you,
By wearing a power suit, the listener may also feel that there is always a place for them.
yeah, you're so beautiful and invincible
The listener is complimented on their confidence and power.
the way you dove into the pool in the power suit
The listener's confidence and power is again compared to diving into a pool.
yeah easy rider, do no harm at all
Again, the listener is described as harmless and easy-going.
cruise, don't forget the booty
Another playful reminder to enjoy life's pleasures.
I said you don't forget the beauty
The artist uses wordplay to remind the listener of their own inner and outer beauty.
don't checking out the crank on the telephone
A reminder not to get too caught up in insignificant details, such as the details on a phone's dial.
crying down the highway in solo
The singer may be experiencing a sense of sadness or loneliness while driving down the highway alone.
but not afraid to try, in the suit
Wearing a power suit can give one the confidence to take risks without being scared.
come on, get your fingers in my pie
A playful invitation to join the singer in whatever activity they are doing.
let it go you gotta hit or else you'll die
A reminder to take action and seize opportunities, otherwise one risks missing out on important experiences.
oh easy rider
A repeated nickname for the listener, suggesting their easy-going nature.
do no harm at all,
Once again, the listener is characterized as harmless.
cruise, do no harm at all
Another reminder to the listener to take it easy and not hurt anyone.
cruise, don't forget the booty
One last playful reminder to enjoy life's pleasures to the fullest.
I said curies, don't forget the booty
The singer uses wordplay to emphasize the importance of enjoying all of life's offerings, both physical and emotional.
easy rider, don't forget the booty
A final reminder to the listener to keep living life to the fullest with no regrets.
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.