During this period band members Mark Dean, Billy Holmes, and Sandy Johnston released two “work in progress” EPs without expectation. Little did they know Frankencottage and Music Box would become the toast of the blogging community, downloaded in over 100 countries, lectured upon by music professors in Brazil, and find the band rousing audiences into massive sing-alongs in cities reaching far beyond the steel cast borders of a hometown, Hamilton, Ontario – all of which motivating the trio as they emerged from the secluded lodgings of Algonquin Park and headed back into the studio, barely aware of the surrounding anticipation for their debut album.
An almost eerie level of mystery has built around the band donning such a simple name and even simpler song titles. A contradictory nature begins with the music: whimsical while monumental, traveling between overt classical pop to dream-like ambiance, the band manages to juxtapose sounds and styles without sacrificing personality or coherence, and, perhaps most notably, with uncanny ease.
Sandy Johnston and Billy Holmes, who seem to play anything and everything, are both essential to the band’s sound. Unassuming yet intricate acoustic sections, banjo riffs that will make you smile, driving drum patterns that don’t hide behind unnecessary flash, and well-crafted arrangements that are nearly impossible to fault are just some of their contributions. Mark Dean’s vocals draw the pieces together, and his phrasing and sense of melody on the record is something truly special.
Perhaps the band’s secret is simply how well they complement one another both musically and personally. Mark’s wide-eyed passion, Billy’s reserved thoughtfulness, and Sandy’s genuineness, that is so clearly reflected in his playing, all fuse into harmonious balance on the record. Dark Mean are first and foremost great friends, which is instrumental to them being a great band.
Most notable records have a duality, allowing the listener to grow and evolve with each additional play. Produced by Michael Keire (Apostle of Hustle) and mastered by Brian Lucey (Black Keys), Dark Mean’s self-titled debut is that type of album. It’s a record built over time with precision, patience, and perseverance. It’s a record that stays with you - as a good friend should.
Happy Banjo
Dark Mean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the salt, your skin
Yeah, I like it on on top yeah
The space where you begin
I got my last plane ticket to the other side
Don't know how, so high
I'm so high
And I woke up here alone
And I feel so happy
Alone
I see you're gonna die today
Yeah, I said I can see it
One of us has seen the light today
Better distinguish
I got my last plane ticket to the other side
Don't know how, so high
I'm so high
But she likes it on top of me
And I woke up here alone
And I feel so happy
Alone
The song "Happy Banjo" by Dark Mean is a complex and cryptic depiction of a relationship that has seemingly taken a turn for the worse. The lyrics themselves are filled with double-entendres and hidden meanings that are designed to provoke thought and self-reflection. The opening confrontation is indicative of a disagreement or even a fight, with one person claiming that they like "it on top", while the other seems hesitant or non-committal. This tension is further emphasized by the line "on the salt, your skin", which could mean a variety of things, such as the presence of sweat or the feeling of sand on skin.
The rest of the lyrics become increasingly abstract and surreal, with references to death and a sense of being lost. The singer claims to have flown to the "other side" without knowing how or why, and they seem to be high or disoriented. However, even in the midst of this chaos, there is a sense of contentment or acceptance. The line "and I feel so happy alone" encapsulates this paradoxical feeling, suggesting that even though the singer is isolated and possibly in a state of crisis, they have found solace and peace.
Overall, "Happy Banjo" is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to look beyond the surface level and examine the complex emotions and struggles of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Say I like it on top, yeah?
Asking permission or confirmation to take the top position in a sexual encounter
On the salt, your skin
Describing the setting or environment of the sexual encounter
Yeah, I like it on on top yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and preference for the top position
The space where you begin
Referring to the starting point of sexual intimacy, possibly related to foreplay
I got my last plane ticket to the other side
Narrating a journey to an unknown destination or experience
Don't know how, so high
Unclear about the means or process of reaching the current state of mind
I'm so high
Feeling intense sensations or emotions
But she likes it on top of me
Acknowledging the partner's sexual preference and enjoying mutual pleasure
And I woke up here alone
Reflecting on a sense of isolation or being disconnected from the partner after the encounter
And I feel so happy
Contrasting the previous feeling of loneliness with a newfound sense of contentment
Alone
Emphasizing the solitude and self-satisfaction of the singer's current state
I see you're gonna die today
Making a fatalistic observation about another person's fate
Yeah, I said I can see it
Asserting confidence in the foresight or intuition
One of us has seen the light today
Drawing a comparison between enlightenment and death
Better distinguish
Encouraging the listener to discern or recognize the significance of the observation
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dark Mean
Hey yall. Just wanna say thanks for the nice comments. We just recorded a new EP and will be releasing it shortly. We will get the songs up on YouTube ASAP. Mark
J L
Stacey Willis same I discovered the song from the alcohol making video hooch🤣🤣
vintage antsinmyblood
@Dee Chavez just discovered them through that same video lmao
Dee Chavez
Good song 👌
Stacey Willis
Adventure Steve , that's incredible. I discovered Dark Mean from that exact video years ago and have been huge fans of them ever since.
Adventure Steve
Dark Mean I heard your song on someone’s alcohol making video. Gotta say never expected to like a background song so much. Great music. Beautiful. There are very few songs that give me such deep feelings. But this is definitely one of those. Thanks so much.
Philippe Vézina
Such a happy/nostlagic/underrated song
Hossain Hemell
true af
TheArtistIsStarving
birp led me here like a year or 2 ago and dark mean has been one of my favorite bands. this isnt even their only good song. they are all fucking awesome in their own way. these guys are fucking geniuses.
AT Blue
One of my all-time favorite songs I keep coming back to.