Distinguishing characteristics of the band include frontman Daniel Smith's squeaky falsetto and sometimes nasally vocals. The band also incorporates visuals into some of its performance such as matching costumes and encouraging audience participation of clap-alongs, hand gestures and dance moves. Some appearances have seen Daniel playing a guitar while inside a costume of a ten foot tree bearing nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.[1]
Members of Danielson Famile portray a proud DIY attitude within many aspects of their work. All of Danielson's album artwork is done by Daniel himself, with the exception of the construction paper inserts of the two Tri-Danielson albums which were done by Chris. The animation in their music videos for the songs Headz in the Cloudz and Rubbernecker feature stop motion animation done by Chris. The band members' uniforms begin as Daniel's vision and then are designed by Megan. Although all the girls participate in the sewing, the driving force behind the construction is Marian, their mother.
Complimentary Dismemberment Insurance
Danielson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reading my clippings from these past years
(Come. Give up and go.)
Opening up the Book of Daniel
The power of dreams so does remind me
Of how to follow my heart
(So. Follow your Heart.
And at this scary merry second
Dependent sounds and small beginnings
Taking my winnings
Cost me all I (got)
(Complimentary Favor's all I) (got)
(Insuring My Liberty is all I) (got)
Dismembering me completely.
(Who's the owner)
My schedule is finally wide open
The time has now officially come
To get to know my own garden
You got me desperately and needy
Love must be tested but my greedy
Neighbors cannot just leave me alone
Losing myself in my home.
The children have already known.
Presuming the best and believing (it all).
Who's the owner
Who's the owner here
Who's the owner here
Believing all things
We are being led to places we don't know
But surely do know that I am sick of myself
In my mirror here
Oh-so-sincerely we are free to carry all your groceries
To thee Acme
You know that I prefer you to myself this time
I don't know nothin'
But I am expecting you to smooth me too
'Cause I got edges
ROUGH + TOUGH +
PROUD + LOUD + RUDE + CRUDE
'Cause I have known the lowest high
That there is, oh but you--
You Bear all things
You HOPE ALL things
ENDURE ALL THINGS
BELIEVE ALL THINGS
You NEVER FAIL.
The song "Complimentary Dismemberment Insurance" by Danielson appears to be about personal growth and discovering your own identity. The opening lines convey a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction with past accomplishments, leading the singer to seek guidance in the Book of Daniel, which offers a reminder to "follow my heart." The following lines delve into a more abstract and surreal mood, with phrases like "dependent sounds" and "small beginnings" suggesting a confusing struggle towards self-discovery.
The chorus of "Complimentary Dismemberment Insurance" centers around three phrases: "Complimentary Favor's all I got," "Insuring My Liberty is all I got," and "Dismembering me completely." These seem to represent opposing forces at play in the singer's life: on the one hand, they feel grateful for any help or support that comes their way ("Complimentary Favor's all I got"), but they also recognize the importance of making their own path and remaining independent ("Insuring My Liberty is all I got"). The final phrase, "Dismembering me completely," could be interpreted in two ways: either as a warning about the discombobulating effects of self-discovery, or as a sardonic comment on how little control we really have over our own lives.
The later sections of the song involve more religious imagery, with references to faith ("Love must be tested") and the idea of being led to unknown places by a higher power ("We are being led to places we don't know"). The final lines of the song are a reminder of the importance of hope, faith, and perseverance, with the singer putting their trust in a "you" who "never fails."
Line by Line Meaning
Sick to the death of laying 'round here
Reading my clippings from these past years
(Come. Give up and go.)
I am tired of doing nothing productive, just reading my old newspaper clippings. It's time to move on.
Opening up the Book of Daniel
The power of dreams so does remind me
Of how to follow my heart
(So. Follow your Heart.
Let's. Follow our Hearts.)
Looking at the Book of Daniel reminds me of the importance of following my heart and going after my dreams.
And at this scary merry second
Dependent sounds and small beginnings
Taking my winnings
Cost me all I (got)
(Complimentary Favor's all I) (got)
(Insuring My Liberty is all I) (got)
Dismembering me completely.
(Who's the owner)
Although I thought I was winning, I realized that I have given up everything I have in exchange for small rewards. The only thing I have left is the freedom to make my own choices, but that freedom comes at the cost of being dismembered. I question who is really in control.
My schedule is finally wide open
The time has now officially come
To get to know my own garden
Now that I have free time, I want to explore and discover the things that make me happy.
You got me desperately and needy
Love must be tested but my greedy
Neighbors cannot just leave me alone
Losing myself in my home.
The children have already known.
Presuming the best and believing (it all).
I am desperate and needy for love, but my neighbors won't leave me alone. I am getting lost in the comfort of my own home, but the children remind me to continue believing in the best.
Who's the owner
Who's the owner here
Who's the owner here
Believing all things
I question who really owns and controls everything, and who is responsible for what happens in my life.
We are being led to places we don't know
But surely do know that I am sick of myself
In my mirror here
Oh-so-sincerely we are free to carry all your groceries
To thee Acme
We are all being led to unfamiliar places, but I am becoming tired of constantly seeing myself in the mirror. I am willing to do anything to help others, even if it means carrying their groceries.
You know that I prefer you to myself this time
I don't know nothin'
But I am expecting you to smooth me too
'Cause I got edges
ROUGH + TOUGH +
PROUD + LOUD + RUDE + CRUDE
'Cause I have known the lowest high
That there is, oh but you--
You Bear all things
You HOPE ALL things
ENDURE ALL THINGS
BELIEVE ALL THINGS
You NEVER FAIL.
I am putting you before myself, even though I don't know everything. I need you to support me as I work through my rough edges and past experiences. But I believe in you, because you have the ability to bear, hope, endure, and never fail.
Contributed by Mila R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.