Anyone can ape and mimic, but to conjure takes a kind of magic. Rock and roll is the very history of repetition, picking the past up and dusting it off, passing it off as your own. Carney makes no bones about the bands they love and loved, but these are not influences worn on sleeves, this is the work of careful craftsmen in tune with invisible muses. First single, “Love Me, Chase Me,” is a potion derived from extracts of Beatles, Doors, Zeppelin, and Hendrix, but the wisp of white smoke rising from that test-tube is some other element, newly discovered.
“It’s cinematic, it jumps around to different places, and in the span of five minutes, it sort of sums up what we’re capable of as a band,” says guitarist Zane Carney of the song. “We’ve always wanted someone to listen to our music and immediately feel like they’ve been transported to another place,” adds lead singer, Reeve Carney. “That’s what I love. I like having a cinematic approach to music. I prefer things that feel a bit imaginary.”
Fitting then that Reeve was handpicked by director Julie Taymor (Across the Universe) to portray Peter Parker in the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. With music composed by U2’s Bono and The Edge, Spider-Man offered Reeve the kind of mentorship any young singer would cut a deal with the devil to get. “Reeve was everything we could have hoped for: an amazing voice and a truly charismatic presence,” says Bono. (That might be one of those things Reeve likes that “feels a bit imaginary,” but this is real.)
Along with drummer Jon Epcar and bassist Aiden Moore, Carney’s debut album Mr. Green: Vol. 1 is a kaleidoscopic summoning of music from multiple epochs and worlds beyond. Whether it’s the flirty Gallic cabaret of “Amelie,” the toy-store music-box lullaby that opens “Nothing Without You,” the waltzing velvety title track, or the 7-minute rafter-rattling blues epic “Testify,” Carney sounds nothing like a new band. This is a haunting, like a ghost sifted up through ancient floorboards. To even call them a “new artist” would betray the full-stride breadth of their abilities as songwriters and performers. They are happily, confidently, already ahead of themselves.
“I never like to stay in the same place for too long,” admits Reeve. “I always strive to do something I haven’t done before. In that way, this album is exactly what I’ve always wanted to make, but the next one will hopefully move in a whole different direction.” “I don’t want fame or glory,” adds Zane. “Making music is already such a gift. That’s what drives us. We know what moves us and we want to share it.”
Carney has built a big tent. All are invited. It’s a spectacle of infinite surprise. It’s imaginary. It’s real. It’s everything that rock and roll is supposed to be. It might just be the sound of that bubble of history bursting. Try not to fall in love.
Imperial Lover
Carney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
We're pulling me under
All that it was, is nothing but a memory
I'm cold inside
Alone, but I'm waiting on the line
Is love unkind?
Imperial Lover
I should've known the way that you wanted me
You gave to another
I didn't notice
I didn't wanna see
I close my eyes
But you're keeping me waiting on the line
Your love's unkind
Will you ever surrender?
I love you, I know you
In every way
Remember pretender
Every single day
Imperial Lover
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
All that we were is nothing but a memory
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
The lyrics to Carney's song 'Imperial Lover' tell a story of a troubled love affair that seems to have ended badly for the singer. The song begins with the singer expressing surprise and disbelief at the way their relationship has turned out, describing their feelings as being 'pulled under' and the memory of their past love as little more than a distant memory. The lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and regret, as the singer reflects on what went wrong and whether or not their love will ever 'get better.'
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer addresses their former lover directly, describing them as an 'Imperial Lover' who has left them feeling cold and alone. They express regret at not seeing the signs earlier, suggesting that the other person may have been interested in someone else before the relationship ended. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be struggling to come to terms with their feelings, torn between love and anger, acceptance and denial.
Overall, 'Imperial Lover' is a heartbreaking song about a love affair that has gone wrong. The lyrics are raw and emotional, capturing the pain of a broken heart with honesty and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
I had no idea things would turn out this way
We're pulling me under
I feel like I'm drowning, suffocating under the weight of my emotions
All that it was, is nothing but a memory
Our relationship is now just a past memory, devoid of its once bright and beautiful essence
I'm cold inside
My heart is empty and devoid of love
Alone, but I'm waiting on the line
I am lonely and waiting for someone to come back to me
Is love unkind?
Are the feelings of love always harsh and unyielding?
Will it ever get better?
Will things ever improve or are they doomed to stay the same?
Imperial Lover
Addressing the person as their dominant lover or ruler, highlighting their power over the artist
I should've known the way that you wanted me
I should have realized how you felt or what you desired from me
You gave to another
You gave your heart and love to someone else, breaking mine in the process
I didn't notice
I was blind and didn't realize what was happening
I didn't wanna see
I didn't want to admit the truth of what was happening, so I ignored it instead
I close my eyes
I try to forget and move on
But you're keeping me waiting on the line
You've left me hanging, not giving me a clear answer or decision
Your love's unkind
The love you've given me is cruel and hurtful
Will you ever surrender?
Will you ever let me go or give me what I need without demanding something in return?
I love you, I know you
I still have feelings for you and understand you well
In every way
In all aspects and facets of your being
Remember pretender
Don't forget that you're pretending to be something you're not
Every single day
Each and every day that passes
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Moneka Acosta LaFrombois
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
We're pulling me under
All that it was, is nothing but a memory
I'm cold inside
Alone, but I'm waiting on the line
Is love unkind?
Will it ever get better?
Imperial Lover
I should've known the way that you wanted me
You gave to another
I didn't notice
I didn't wanna see
I close my eyes
But you're keeping me waiting on the line
Your love's unkind
Will you ever surrender?
I love you, I know you
In every way
Remember pretender
Every single day
Imperial Lover
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
All that we were is nothing but a memory
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
EllieBelle
Love this song-Reeve your voice just keeps getting more amazing!
Tom Woods
Another great song. I saw the Carney band in San Diego when they opened for Live. It was an amazing performance. I talked to them after the show, and they're all super cool guys. Reeve and I had a good conversation about his influences, and he was actually interested in hearing about the music that I was writing/recording. Very down-to-earth. GO SEE THIS BAND IF YOU GET THE CHANCE! ...and buy their music. This band is the real deal.
Moneka Acosta LaFrombois
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
We're pulling me under
All that it was, is nothing but a memory
I'm cold inside
Alone, but I'm waiting on the line
Is love unkind?
Will it ever get better?
Imperial Lover
I should've known the way that you wanted me
You gave to another
I didn't notice
I didn't wanna see
I close my eyes
But you're keeping me waiting on the line
Your love's unkind
Will you ever surrender?
I love you, I know you
In every way
Remember pretender
Every single day
Imperial Lover
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
All that we were is nothing but a memory
I didn't know this is the way it was gonna be
Willard Snow
I love these guys!
Eileen Pizarro
One of my favorite songs.
Winn Miller
Too BEAUTIFUL...the way ALL good music SHOULD be. 😌
Helen 237
I love this!
Karlie J
I LOVE THIS SONG
Tori
Looove this song!
Bryan Tjiupek
this is a great song ! thx guys !