David & The Citizens is a band from Malmö, Sweden.

David & The Citiz… Read Full Bio ↴David & The Citizens is a band from Malmö, Sweden.

David & The Citizens were:
David Fridlund - Vocals, electric guitar
Conny Fridh - Bass, backing vocals
Magnus Bjerkert - Trumpet, organ, piano, guitar
John Bjerkert - Drums, backing vocals

They released their third full-length "Stop The Tape! Stop The Tape!" in August 2006. In February, 2007, on the cusp of a major tour and their first US appearances, all the members of the band (except Fridlund) quit.

There have been rumours that D&TC are finished. However, in his blog, David claims that these are false.

On the 17 December 2007 David & the Citizens released an EP called "I Saw My Reflection And I Didn't Recognize Myself" with four new songs. The EP is free for downloading at the web page and some pictures and the lyrics are included. The listeners have the option to pay for the EP if they are willing to and instructions are included in the EP. David also assures that the band still exists and "will be around till the day I decide to quit. And that day is yet to come."

Song Against Life
David & The Citizens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Staring at the sidewalk, there's a crack in which a flower grows
Reminded me of somebody not hangin' around here anymore
And everything is so pretty
Pretty fucked up, obvious
When you call me from the other side to tell me everything is fine and I will always love even when your eyes are fading
And if they catch you, I will save you, I will get you out

And this, what about this?

Is it anything at all, is it a growing cancer in your heart
And this life I don't have a clue
But when they told you not to worry, didn't it bother you?
Well all that's very nice but this is the song against life

Where do all these people come from,
Where do all these words belong?
A never-ending bible, everything they say is our command
And everybody wants the same, everybody here wants nothing,
Grow up to be a millionaire is all there is
Well all that's very nice but this is the song against life

He goes out in the kitchen, he goes there every second
And your plastic father said:
"It's just too boring standing here all day"
And went out for a lover
Or a new world to discover
And the watertower threw its shadow over your house
And this, what about this? is it anything at all?
Is it a growing cancer in your heart?
And this life I don't have a clue
But when they told you not to worry, didn't it bother you?

Well all that's very nice
But this is the song against life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David & The Citizens's "Song Against Life" offer a commentary on the superficiality and emptiness of contemporary life. The song starts with a description of a flower growing in a crack in the sidewalk, which reminds the singer of someone who has passed away. This image juxtaposes the vitality of nature with the decay and impermanence of human existence. The singer's tone is melancholic, as they observe the world around them and see the futility of trying to find meaning in it.

The chorus of the song declares that this is "the song against life," suggesting that the singer is railing against the constraints and expectations of modern society. They are critical of the consumerist culture that values wealth and material success above all else, and they reject the idea that everyone should want the same things. The song is also skeptical of authority figures - the "never-ending bible" of societal expectations that everyone is expected to follow.

The final verse of the song describes the singer's father, who is portrayed as dissatisfied with his life and looking for escape in extramarital affairs or travel. The shadow of the watertower over the house is a metaphor for the weight of societal expectations and the feeling of being trapped in a life that is not fulfilling. Through all of this, the song maintains a sense of detachment and disillusionment, offering a critique of contemporary life that is both bleak and compelling.

Line by Line Meaning

Staring at the sidewalk, there's a crack in which a flower grows
Observing the pavement, spotting a crack with a flower blooming reminds me of someone who is no longer present.

Reminded me of somebody not hangin' around here anymore
The flower made me recollect the memory of someone who is no longer with us.

And everything is so pretty
The surroundings might appear attractive, but it is not the reality.

Pretty fucked up, obvious
The truth is unpleasant, but it is apparent.

When you call me from the other side to tell me everything is fine and I will always love even when your eyes are fading
Even after death, the person assures the continuation of their affection and that everything is okay.

And if they catch you, I will save you, I will get you out
I promise to rescue and protect you if you are ever in trouble or captured by someone.

Where do all these people come from
I wonder about the origin of all these people.

Where do all these words belong?
The purpose of all these words remains unclear.

A never-ending bible, everything they say is our command
A continuous set of rules to follow without question, which control everything we do.

And everybody wants the same, everybody here wants nothing
Everyone desires the same thing, which is nothing.

Grow up to be a millionaire is all there is
The only goal in life seems to be to become a millionaire.

He goes out in the kitchen, he goes there every second
Someone frequently goes to the kitchen.

And your plastic father said:
Your artificial dad spoke these words:

"It's just too boring standing here all day"
Being idle in this place throughout the day is dull.

And went out for a lover, or a new world to discover
The person went out to find love or something new to explore.

And the watertower threw its shadow over your house
The water tower's shadow fell upon your home.

But this is the song against life
This song is a critical view and opposition against life.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CONNY ANDREAS FRIDH, DAVID JOHAN FRIDLUND, MAGNUS CARL BJERKERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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