Denise & Company did a raunchy, fair-but-not-great bluesy garage rock singl… Read Full Bio ↴Denise & Company did a raunchy, fair-but-not-great bluesy garage rock single, "Boy, What'll You Do Then" (backed by an instrumental version of the same tune), released in 1966 on the small Wee label. University of California at Berkeley student and lead singer Denise Kaufman, who also plays harmonica on the single, made the record with the Berkeley, CA, high-school band the Answer, issued on the small label run by jazz musician Lonnie Hewitt. Kaufman later estimated that only about 100 copies were pressed, and revealed that the song was about her ex-boyfriend Jann Wenner, who went on to co-found Rolling Stone magazine. Shortly after the Denise & Company single, Kaufman joined all-woman San Francisco rock band the Ace of Cups as singer/guitarist/harmonica player, writing much of their material as well, although they never released any records while they were active. "Boy, What'll You Do Then" was reissued in 2003 on Big Beat's CD compilation of previously unreleased late-'60s Ace of Cups material, It's Bad for You But Buy It!

Chaos
Denise & Company Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is closing in
We were left here alone
And we're suffering
We are sad, we are cold, we are bored, we were told we were dying
But we're never alone here
We're just here on our own
And we're struggling, tired

This is close to end
We are sad, we are cold, we are bored, we were told we were dying
We are sad, we are cold, we are bored, we were told we were dying
But we're never tired
Amid the chaos
Will we make it
Can we take it

We are in a stand still
This is surreal
Never
Are we on our own
We are not on our own

We are not on our own
We are never tired

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Denise & Company's song "Chaos" evoke a sense of isolation, suffering, and uncertainty. The opening lines, "This is closing in, we were left here alone, and we're suffering," suggest a feeling of being trapped or abandoned in a difficult situation. The repetition of phrases like "we are sad, we are cold, we are bored" emphasizes the emotional state of the individuals in the song. They have been told they are dying, which adds to their despair.

However, despite their struggles, there is a glimmer of hope. The line "we're never alone here, we're just here on our own" suggests that even in the midst of chaos, there is a sense of collective experience and shared suffering. They may feel isolated, but they are not truly alone. The song asks whether they will make it through the chaos and whether they can endure it. This uncertainty is underscored by the repeating line, "we are sad, we are cold, we are bored, we were told we were dying." The repetition adds to the sense of unease and reinforces the idea that their situation is overwhelming.

As the song progresses, there is a shift in perspective. The phrase "we are never tired" indicates a resilience and determination to keep going, even in the face of exhaustion. The lines "we are in a standstill, this is surreal, never, are we on our own" further suggest that despite the chaos and uncertainty, they are not truly alone. There may be a sense of unity or support amongst those experiencing the chaos together.

In summary, "Chaos" explores the themes of isolation, suffering, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. It touches on the human capacity to endure challenging situations and find strength even in the midst of chaos.

Line by Line Meaning

This is closing in
The situation is becoming more intense and difficult

We were left here alone
We were abandoned and left by ourselves

And we're suffering
We are experiencing pain and distress

We are sad, we are cold, we are bored, we were told we were dying
We feel a range of negative emotions and were informed that our existence was coming to an end

But we're never alone here
Despite feeling lonely, we are always accompanied

We're just here on our own
We are solely responsible for our own actions and well-being

And we're struggling, tired
We are finding it difficult and exhausting

This is close to end
We are nearing the conclusion or outcome

Amid the chaos
In the midst of disorder and confusion

Will we make it
Will we be successful or reach our goal

Can we take it
Are we capable of enduring or handling the situation

We are in a stand still
We are at a point where there is no progress or movement

This is surreal
The situation is strange, dreamlike, or unreal

Never
At no point in time

Are we on our own
Are we without support or assistance

We are not on our own
We have others to depend on and help us