1. Back in the 90s, son… Read Full Bio ↴Multiple artists are identified as Calamine:
1. Back in the 90s, songwriter Julie Stepanek put an ad in the Village Voice looking for a female bass player. What did she get? Guitarist Dan Crane and the start of a new indie pop band - first as Stephonic, then as Calamine. The band released one ep before going underground in 2001. Julie resurfaced in 2006, releasing the lovely "What We Forgot To Remember". This band is probably best known for performing the theme song to the popular television show Sealab 2021. Their songs are lush, pretty and pure-spun pop. The group writes original songs, has a dedicated following, and its distinctive trademark is the lead vocal work by Julie Stepanek.
Website: https://calamine.com/
2. Calamine (Julie Gagnon) is a feminist rapper from Quebec who identifies with the anti-capitalist movement. Coming from the visual arts community of Quebec City, Calamine has dedicated herself exclusively to music since 2017 from a militant feminist and queer perspective. She has been collaborating for two years with producer Kรจthe Maganรฉ on her solo releases. For a few years now, with rapper Sam Faye, they have formed the hip-hop collective Petite Papa, to which several musicians have joined.
Website: https://calaminemtl.bandcamp.com/
These Days
Calamine Lyrics
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A fire came and burned away the only thing she'd have liked to save
Do you remember? do you recall anything at all about her?
Eventually you'll get the hang of what you need to navigate
Some bars you'll learn to not go in
Some hearts you'll learn you should not win
Face down on linoleum, everybody knows how such stories go
These days I am trying to be better than I used to be.
Face down on linoleum. everybody knows
These days I am trying to be better than I used to be
The lyrics to Calamine's song "These Days" paint a picture of a person trying to move forward and improve themselves in the aftermath of a difficult experience. The first two lines mention Ottomwa Heights and Council Bluffs, two places that are likely significant to the songwriter in some way. However, they serve primarily as a contrast to what comes next: a fire that destroyed something important to someone. The singer asks if the listener remembers or knows anything about this person, perhaps implying that they have lost touch or moved on from them.
The next lines provide some guidance for the listener on navigating their own life. The singer suggests that certain bars should be avoided and that some hearts are not worth winning. This could suggest that the singer has experienced some negative consequences from making the wrong choices in the past. The mention of linoleum and "such stories" implies that this person may have had a rough upbringing or made some poor decisions in their life.
The chorus repeats the line "These days I am trying to be better than I used to be." This reflects a desire to move on from past mistakes and become a better person. The final line ("Everybody knows") suggests that others may be aware of the struggles the singer has faced, but that they are committed to working towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Ottomwa heights is just a name , council bluffs i've never been
The singer mentions these places, but they don't hold any personal significance to them since they've never been there.
A fire came and burned away the only thing she'd have liked to save
Someone lost something important to them in a fire and it's something they wish they could have saved.
Do you remember? do you recall anything at all about her?
The singer asks if the listener remembers anything about a certain person, implying that this is someone they both knew.
Eventually you'll get the hang of what you need to navigate
Over time and through experience, you'll learn how to navigate the world and find what you need.
Some bars you'll learn to not go in
As you gain experience, you'll learn which places are not safe or beneficial for you to frequent.
Some hearts you'll learn you should not win
In relationships, you'll learn that there are certain people you should not pursue or try to win over.
Face down on linoleum, everybody knows how such stories go
The image of someone lying face down on the ground suggests a moment of defeat, and the singer implies that this is a common occurrence and we all know how this kind of story ends.
These days I am trying to be better than I used to be.
The artist is actively working on improving themselves and their behaviors.
Do you remember? do you recall anything at all about her?
The artist repeats the earlier line asking if the listener remembers anything about this person, suggesting that they are haunted by memories of them.
Face down on linoleum. everybody knows
The artist repeats an earlier line, reinforcing the idea that this is a commonly understood experience.
These days I am trying to be better than I used to be
The singer repeats the earlier line, emphasizing that their growth and self-improvement is an ongoing process.
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