They were the first band signed to Brassland on the strength of an unsolicited demo. Their self-titled debut brought them invitations to open for artists like Black Heart Procession, the Dirty Three, Cat Power, and the Tindersticks -- the latter of whom they supported extensively in both Australia and Europe.
Formed in late 2002, Devastations choose to follow the likes of the Go-Betweens and the Dirty Three, and make their way in the larger world. They moved to Berlin in 2003, and played their first European show in September as part of 'Bada Bing', a concert series organized by Einsturzende Neubauten's Alexander Hacke. Devastations toured extensively in their new home, and recorded backing tracks for Berlin duo Cobra Killer's third album '76/77.' Vocalist/bassist Conrad Standish contributed three songs and guested on the Liars album. (Standish is childhood friends with that band's leader, Angus Andrew.)
Devastations came to the attention of Brassland in late 2004 when they crossed paths with labelmates, Clogs, first sharing a stage during a festival in Belgium, then meeting again a few days later in Paris. The Brassland braintrust had already expressed their admiration for Devastations music, and encouraged them to meet Padma Newsome, a fellow Australian who plays violin/viola in both Clogs and The National. The group decided to join the extended Brassland family.
Devastations was Conrad Standish (vocals/bass), Hugo Cran (drums), Tom Carlyon (guitars/vocals), and Kiernan Box (keyboards).
On 19 September 2005, the band released their second studio album, Coal. The album was nominated for the 2005 Australian Music Prize.
On 17 September 2007, the band released their third studio album, Yes, U. The album was also nominated for The Australian Music Prize. Yes, U, was also nominated for Best Album at the EG Awards of 2007.
In 2008, Devastations recorded a cover of the Cure's 1981 song "All Cats Are Grey" for Perfect as Cats: A Tribute to the Cure, a charity record released in October 2008 by Los Angeles indie label Manimal Vinyl.
In 2009, Devastations collaborated with New York City-based band Blonde Redhead to record "When the Road Runs Out" for the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization.
By 2010, Devastations had disbanded, although Carlyon and Standish later reunited as an electronic music duo, Standish/Carlyon, releasing the album Deleted Scenes in 2013.
Devastations homepage: http://www.devastations.net/
Brassland homepage: http://brassland.org
Dance With Me
Devastations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Till the thrill is gone?
The war is over, look...
And the night is young.
Just dance with me.
Place my trembling hand,
On your naked body.
For we may never meet again,
So darling tell me then.
If we should ever meet again,
You will remember when
we danced, for just a little while.
For we may never meet again,
So darling tell me then.
If we should ever meet again,
You will remember when
we danced, for just a little while.
And when I first heard your name,
I said it over and over again, and again
And we should never be the same
So it could never be the same, as then.
So darling dry your eyes
And dance with me.
It's more than I can bare.
For in my broken heart,
I have kept you there.
The lyrics to Devastations' song "Dance With Me" speak of a fleeting moment of passion and longing. The singer is asking someone to dance with them, to hold them close, and to forget about the outside world. They want to be lost in the moment, to feel the thrill of the night, and to be remembered even if they never see each other again. The lyrics are full of emotion and desire, as the singer places their trembling hands on the other person's body and admits that they can't bear the thought of not being with them.
The chorus repeats the idea that they may never meet again, which adds an air of urgency and despair to the song. The singer is asking for a moment of escape and intimacy, hoping that this dance will be something they both remember forever. The final verse speaks of the singer's broken heart, hinting that this dance might be their last chance at finding happiness with someone else. The lyrics are poetic and full of yearning, asking for a connection that may be fleeting but is still worth pursuing.
Line by Line Meaning
So, will you dance with me?
Asking for a dance partner to accompany till the excitement fades.
Till the thrill is gone?
To enjoy each other's company and dancing until the excitement fades.
The war is over, look...
An expression of relief and an invitation to forget the worries and dance.
And the night is young.
The time is right for dancing and partying as there is plenty during the night.
Just dance with me.
An invitation to dance without any accompanying conditions or expectations.
Place my trembling hand,
A request to the dance partner to take control of the situation and lead the dance.
On your naked body.
The intensity of desire for the dance partner has heightened.
It's more than I can stand.
The situation is too powerful to be contained and managed.
For we may never meet again,
An acknowledgement that this moment is fleeting and might be the only chance they have to dance together.
So darling tell me then.
Asking for assurance from the dance partner that they will cherish and remember this moment.
If we should ever meet again,
A hopeful expectation that they will have another chance to dance together.
You will remember when we danced, for just a little while.
The promise that the memories of their fleeting dance will be treasured by both partners.
And when I first heard your name,
The moment when the attraction and fascination towards the dance partner began.
I said it over and over again, and again
The partner was so unforgettable that they couldn't stop repeating their name.
And we should never be the same
The realization that their lives will be diverging after this dance and they will never be the same.
So it could never be the same, as then.
The understanding that this moment is unique and irreplicable.
So darling dry your eyes
A gesture of comfort and reassurance to the dance partner.
And dance with me.
Inviting the partner to forget their worries and dance together.
It's more than I can bare.
The intensity and emotion of the moment are overwhelming.
For in my broken heart,
The implication that the artist is suffering from heartbreak or emotional turmoil.
I have kept you there.
The dance partner brings a sense of comfort and joy that helps the artist heal their broken heart.
Contributed by James R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gahan12000
..just dance with me ! so...so...so beautiful !
@kaka19871
So dramatic and yet so beautiful...
@monique3540
wonderful song..
@VernonGoddard
Lyrics are great and the song very good..............
@helin4047
love this band
@meczydusza1
... I'm speechless....
@thankGodforDavidG
really original music and very good, indie but some darkwave influence. great vocals !
@ioannaloukopoulou6773
1:54 ζεμπεκικο! :P
@phobophob
wonderfull.
@kikithecake
...in my broken heart i have kept you there...