The origin of the name of the band is related on their website. The tongue-in-cheek back-story recounts a historically questionable ancestral story beginning in 16th century Sweden. Supposedly, ancestors of the band members performed orchestral works in defiance of the ruling church at the time (possibly in reference to the newly installed protestant Lutheran national church, in power during the mid and late 16th century). The orchestra was forced to go into hiding, performing in secret, with the assistance of oppressed peasants during the era. After years of performing for the pleasure of these peasants, the story claims that the church put a bounty on the performers' lives, and that this bounty was so high that the orchestra knew they would soon be captured, and thus chose to play a spectacular final show before becoming martyred to the church.
While this account is historically unsupported it does provide a backdrop to DSO's eclectic musical style
Members[*]Daniel Håkansson – guitars, vocals (since 2003)
[*]Pontus Mantefors – guitars, effects, vocals (since 2003)
[*]Andy Johansson – bass,vocals (since 2003)
[*]Johannes Bergion – cello, vocals (since 2003)
[*]Martin Isaksson – trumpet, vocals (since 2009)
[*]Daniel Hedin – trombone, vocals (since 2009)
[*]Johan Norbäck – drums (since 2012)
[*]Kristin Evegård – vocals (since 2014)
Former Members[*]Andreas Halvardsson – drums (2003–2010)
[*]Petter Karlsson – drums (2010-2012)
[*]Annlouice Loegdlund – vocals (2003-2014)
Poetic Pitbull Revolutions
Diablo Swing Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iron taste tongue, rage polluted, the veins so furious
With a mouth that will never tell.
Scars and stitches battered heart broke down and this time it will not heal
Rear-view lovers, I miss them dearly, but years of absence has made them pale.
Breathe and soothe a wake mind that cannot sleep
So much hope and now a future that looks so bleak
What if time is all we have
To make you believe in
To save me from leaving it all.
Dream of them lights so much brighter, voices louder I hear them sleep
Naive prayers, lone and futile, the pulse is rising, it's boiling underneath
(Didn't know I had it in me, didn't know I had it all)
Fuel them thoughts may they
Keep you safe from the world
That won't wear you again
(They) tell you it's lonesome
tell you it's lonesome when led astray
Breathe and soothe a wake mind that cannot sleep
So much hope and now a future that looks so bleak
But what if time is all we have
What if time is all we have
To make you believe in
To save me from leaving it all.
The lyrics to Diablo Swing Orchestra's "Poetic Pitbull Revolutions" explore themes of loss, regret, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that often feels bleak and unforgiving. The song's opening lines describe a state of physical and emotional disorientation, with the singer's vision clouded by "red eyes" and their tongue poisoned by "rage." The imagery of a "kiss that bruises a skin so frail" suggests a relationship that is both passionate and destructive, while the refrain ("Breathe and soothe a wake mind that cannot sleep / So much hope and now a future that looks so bleak") speaks to a sense of disappointment and disillusionment with life.
Throughout the song, the singer reminisces about past loves and dreams of a brighter future, all while grappling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. They acknowledge the futility of their "naive prayers" and the limitations of their own mortality ("What if time is all we have / To make you believe in / To save me from leaving it all"), but ultimately find solace in the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
Overall, "Poetic Pitbull Revolutions" is a poignant and introspective track that showcases Diablo Swing Orchestra's ability to seamlessly blend elements of metal, jazz, and classical music into a cohesive and emotionally resonant whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Red eyes only, the floor comes closer, a kiss that bruises a skin so frail
My eyes are bloodshot and I feel like I'm falling as I feel the impact of the floor beneath me. Your kiss was violent and left a mark on my delicate skin.
Iron taste tongue, rage polluted, the veins so furious
I taste metal in my mouth and my tongue feels heavy. My anger has infected me and my blood is boiling with frustration.
With a mouth that will never tell.
My lips are sealed and I won't reveal my secrets.
Scars and stitches battered heart broke down and this time it will not heal
My heart is damaged and broken beyond repair. The scars and wounds on it are deep and won't ever fully heal.
Rear-view lovers, I miss them dearly, but years of absence has made them pale.
I think back to my past lovers and miss them deeply, but the passage of time has faded my memories of them.
Breathe and soothe a wake mind that cannot sleep
Take a deep breath and try to calm your mind when you can't sleep.
So much hope and now a future that looks so bleak
I had so much hope for the future, but now it seems grim and uncertain.
But what if time is all we have
What if the only thing we really have is time?
To make you believe in
To convince you that it's real and worth believing in.
To save me from leaving it all.
To prevent me from giving up on everything and walking away.
Dream of them lights so much brighter, voices louder I hear them sleep
I dream of brighter lights and louder voices, and they are present even when I'm asleep.
Naive prayers, lone and futile, the pulse is rising, it's boiling underneath
My prayers are naive and useless, and my heart rate is accelerating as emotions boil under the surface.
(Didn't know I had it in me, didn't know I had it all)
I didn't realize that I was capable of this, or that I had all the tools I needed to succeed.
Fuel them thoughts may they
Nurture these thoughts and ideas, and let them grow stronger.
Keep you safe from the world
Protect you from the dangers and uncertainties of the outside world.
That won't wear you again
A world that won't weigh you down or tire you out like it has in the past.
(They) tell you it's lonesome
People will try to convince you that being alone is lonely and depressing.
tell you it's lonesome when led astray
They will tell you that being alone is only lonely when you're lost in life and unsure of your path.
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.