Their motto “Release Your Inner Pirate” gives a hint of their ironic and challenging mindset. This take on life is bound to appeal to young and old alike, with the prerequisite being your own punkrock like attitude and undying nonconformist view of life itself with dead aim at the modern day corporate establishment. If you feel this way join the club and give the music a good listen.
In 2007 Dead Smiling Pirates released their debut album ”Dead Smiling Pirates” in Denmark (Gateway Music Aps.) and in USA (CD baby inc.) and played a release tour in Denmark.
In 2008 the first single ”Strictly Ballroom” had airplay in numerous countries and was the winner of Broardjam's college radio contest. ”Strictly Ballroom” was also selected to be on three different CD collections in the US together with other selected bands and artists from different parts of the world. The band made a press release about the debate on the subject illegal copying and streaming of music. They said that their single was now free to download. “The music industry has lost anyway so we might as well go the opposite way and give out our single for no cost what so ever!” After the free downloads the band got a lot of positive feedback and their 2nd single “I 18” went on rotations in Germany.
In 2009 the bass player of Dead Smiling Pirates Lasse Hansen left the band going in other directions on his musical path. The band started looking for a new member, but Kim the lead singer, got a heavy back injury and they had to put the band on hold for 6 months. Erik the drummer of Dead Smiling Pirates had to arrange all the outside band related connections, while Kim was at home waiting for an operation. In the fall when Kim was back on his feet, regaining his strength the band went back on the scene playing several gigs with the guest star bass player (and technician on their debut album) Frans Lindell.
In 2010 Dead Smiling Pirates were promoted by Bad Beat Booking and they played many gigs with their newly discovered bass player Barnardo Fesh. Finally the band was ready to record their 2nd album and they began with all the preparations. When the tracking of drums and guitars were done the new bass player was in Holland. Then the bad news came around. Bernardo had to move back to his home country Portugal. With guidance from Mattis (Bad Coffee Studio) Kim recorded the bass on all of the 13 album tracks.
But when all recordings were finished the band got very sad news. The Producer Lars Overgaard Christensen (Medley Studio) who was going to produce the album had suddenly died, only 52 years old. After a break from the studio the guys started working with Mattis and together they mixed and produced the album in Bad Coffee Studio.
In 2011 Dead Smiling Pirates finished their 2. album and the master was done by Flemming Hansson Jr. (Sweep Studios & Mastering). The band started looking for a new baseplayer and soon they hooked up with Rasmus Christensen who besides rocking the bass also rocks as the 2nd vocalist.
Strictly Ballroom
Dead Smiling Pirates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too much makeup yea, smile and wait a while
Oh my god oh my god they are losing losing yea
All is gone all is gone strictly ballroom yea
Safe me from this dance cause this dance doesnt have a chance
Safe me from this place cause this place doesnt have any grace
I want to rip their clothes rip it all of
Oh my god oh my god they are losing losing yea
All is gone all is gone strictly ballroom yea
Safe me from this dance cause this dance doesnt have a chance
Safe me from this place cause this place doesnt have any grace
This place is so boring get ready now its so fake
Put on your happy face put on your mask
Safe me from this dance cause this dance doesnt have a chance
Safe me from this place cause this place doesnt have any grace
I am still living it out i am still living it out
I am still living it out i am still jumping around
The lyrics of "Strictly Ballroom" by Dead Smiling Pirates paint a vivid picture of a tense and suffocating atmosphere in a ballroom dance competition. The singer feels trapped and overwhelmed by the intense pressure to perform and conform to the rigid standards of ballroom dance. The first verse describes the excessive amount of makeup and the need to wear a smile even in the face of the mounting tension. As the competition progresses, the singer voices a longing to break free from the suffocating atmosphere and embrace the rebellious, uninhibited spirit of rock and roll. However, despite the frustration and boredom, the singer is still determined to keep going and keep jumping around.
The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the intensity of the singer's feelings of suffocation and his desire to be rescued from the dance and the place altogether. The lyrics suggest that the ballroom dance culture is a phony and fake environment where conformity is more important than true creativity or expression. The use of the phrase "all is gone" suggests a sense of loss, perhaps of individuality or spontaneity, as the dancers become more and more entrenched in the rigid rules and conventions of the ballroom dance world.
Overall, the lyrics of "Strictly Ballroom" convey a sense of rebellion against the stifling conformity of ballroom dance culture and express a desire for freedom and individual expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Too much tension here dont forget to smile
Despite the tense atmosphere, it's important to maintain a happy facade
Too much makeup yea, smile and wait a while
Even though there's an excess of makeup, it's necessary to continue to smile
Oh my god oh my god they are losing losing yea
Expressing shock and worry over someone's defeat
All is gone all is gone strictly ballroom yea
Everything has been lost in this strictly traditional dance competition
Safe me from this dance cause this dance doesnt have a chance
Wanting to be rescued from this doomed dance event
Safe me from this place cause this place doesnt have any grace
Desiring to be taken away from this unmannerly environment
I want to rock n roll i want to fuck it all up
Yearning to let loose and break all the rules
I want to rip their clothes rip it all of
Wishing to cause chaos and destruction
This place is so boring get ready now its so fake
Finding the environment dull and anticipating the insincerity to come
Put on your happy face put on your mask
Sarcastically urging to keep up the facade of happiness and pretense
I am still living it out i am still living it out
Continuing to exist in this environment
I am still jumping around
Persisting in being energetic and active despite the lack of enjoyment in the environment
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.