De Staat is a Dutch alternative rock band from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, f… Read Full Bio ↴De Staat is a Dutch alternative rock band from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, formed in 2006. The band, fronted by songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer, Torre Florim, released four albums: Waiting For Evolution (2009), Machinery (2011), I_Con (2013) and O (2016).

De Staat have been described by SonicAbuse as "genre-hopping Gremlins of the first order, who take in the eclectic, grand slamming funk of Beck, the dance grooves of Kelis’ Milkshake, the horny soul of QOTSA (...) and the lost, gothic romanticism of Nick Cave often within the same song."

The band's sound gradually evolved from rather heavy, riff-based 'desert rock' in the vein of Queens Of The Stone Age and Kyuss to a more eclectic 'heavy disco' sound with funky synthesizers and bouncing melodies. Typical for this shift in sound is 2014's Vinticious Versions EP, on which - if you wish - the 'new De Staat' interprets songs of the 'old De Staat'.

November 2021 saw the first release of a possible series of EP's based around the three colors red, yellow and blue. Each color represents the main vibe of a track. Red stands for dark and hard, yellow stands for light-footed, and blue stands for melancholic. De Staat frontman Torre Florim explained that future song releases would fit these vibes and possibly become a series of EP's instead of an album.

Line-up:
Torre Florim - vocals, guitar
Vedran Mircetic - guitar
Jop van Summeren - bass, keyboard, vocals
Rocco Hueting - percussion, keyboards, synth, guitar, vocals
Tim van Delft – drums

BAND HISTORY

De Staat debuted in 2009 with Wait for Evolution and shortly thereafter performed on all major Dutch stages and festivals such as Lowlands and Pinkpop, and internationally at Sziget and Glastonbury. The album was awarded various prizes, and in 2011 and 2012 the band received a 3FM Award for Best Alternative Act. Second album Machinery was released in 2011. Once again, De Staat toured a large number of European venues and festivals, this time with an extra element added to their live shows: a huge, specially built machine. In 2013 they released I_CON, which was awarded an Edison, Holland’s most prestigious music prize. Late 2013 they played three packed out riotous shows at the Black Heart in London.

www.destaat.net

Refugee
De Staat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Got to think of something else to say
Get the question every pill, every day
Guess I am a cliché
I can′t sleep, so on i play

Got to find another place to stay
Stop the clock, and be on my way
I can't sleep, so up I stay

No I can′t sleep, so on I play

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree

I can't talk about the names I like
I'm still very much in love with the night
I guess I′m gonna let fate decide
Is it the ultimate love or the final fight

I′m not here to wait and see
I'm afraid you love another refugee
Refugee
Refugee

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
You can not rescue me

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me

I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree

Overall Meaning

De Staat's song "Refugee" is a multifaceted narrative that touches upon the conversation around the experiences of refugees, love, and self-identity. The opening lines of the song convey a sense of frustration and hopelessness as the singer realizes that they are trapped in a cycle of dependency on medication to get them through the day. The lines "Got to think of something else to say, Get the question every pill, every day, Guess I am a cliché, I can't sleep, so on I play" paint a picture of a person who is lost and uncertain about their future.

The chorus is where the theme of the song becomes evident. The repetition of the phrase "I am a refugee, you can't rescue me, chopping down the family tree," highlights the struggle of many refugees who have left their homes and families behind in search of a better future. The use of the metaphor "chopping down the family tree" suggests the pain that comes with breaking away from tradition and past experiences. For many refugees, leaving their home behind comes at a great cost, and the only thing they have left is their identity, which they will fiercely protect.

The song also touches upon the experiences of love and heartbreak. The singer admits to being in love with the night, but fears that their lover loves another refugee. The reference to the "ultimate love or the final fight" suggests that this may be a battle that they are willing to fight until the end.

Overall, "Refugee" is a powerful song that addresses themes of identity, loss, and love. The lyrics are open to interpretation, making it a song that resonates with many people going through similar experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Got to think of something else to say
I need to come up with a new subject of conversation

Get the question every pill, every day
I'm asked the same question repeatedly, day in and day out

Guess I am a cliché
I'm becoming a stereotype

I can′t sleep, so on i play
I can't rest, so I keep myself busy and distract myself

Got to find another place to stay
I need to leave this place and find a new home

Stop the clock, and be on my way
I want time to stop and I want to move on

I can't sleep, so up I stay
I can't seem to sleep, so I stay awake

No I can′t sleep, so on I play
I still can't find sleep, so I continue to keep myself busy

I am a refugee
I am a displaced person seeking asylum

You can not rescue me
No one can save me from the struggles I am facing

Chopping down the family tree
I am cutting ties with my family and starting anew

I can't talk about the names I like
I can't discuss my preferences, as it could further alienate me

I'm still very much in love with the night
I enjoy the darkness and the sense of escapism it provides

I guess I′m gonna let fate decide
I am going to leave things up to destiny

Is it the ultimate love or the final fight
What I'm facing could either be the ultimate romance or the ultimate war

I′m not here to wait and see
I am not content waiting to see what happens

I'm afraid you love another refugee
I fear the person I am interested in loves someone else in the same situation as me

Refugee
A repeating reminder of my situation

I am a refugee
I am a displaced person seeking asylum

You can not rescue me
No one can save me from the struggles I am facing

I am a refugee
I am a displaced person seeking asylum

You can not rescue me
No one can save me from the struggles I am facing

I am a refugee
I am a displaced person seeking asylum

You can not rescue me
No one can save me from the struggles I am facing

I am a refugee
I am a displaced person seeking asylum

Chopping down the family tree
I am cutting ties with my family and starting anew

Writer(s): Torre Florim Janssen

Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS

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01My Bad0:08

02All Is Dull3:04

03Build That, Buy That3:11

04Devil's Blood4:20

05Witch Doctor2:54

06Get It Together3:15

07Refugee3:56

PT3M56S

De Staat

08Make Way For The Passenger4:50

09Input Source Select4:03

10I'll Take You4:30

11Down Town3:08

12Wonderer4:00

13The Inevitable End5:22

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Got to think of something else to say
Get the question every pill, every day
Guess I am a cliché
I can't sleep, so on I play

Got to find another place to stay
Stop the clock, and be on my way
I can't sleep, so up I stay
No I can't sleep, so on I play

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree

I can't talk about the names I like
I'm still very much in love with the night
I guess I'm gonna let fate decide
Is it the ultimate love or the final fight

I'm not here to wait and see
I'm afraid you love another refugee
Refugee

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
You can not rescue me

I am a refugee
You can not rescue me
I am a refugee
Chopping down the family tree