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)
Stratosphere Serenade
Diablo Swing Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
there's nothing here now but you
while gravity never used to bother me
I'm floating senseless in the presence of you
and I see euphoria in what we do
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
once at peace, once so calm
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
Morphine slumber, in haze of wonders
enter womb-shaped rooms where we can be safe
vision blurred by an opiate sky
sedated while your world starts to quake
I forgot how affection used to taste
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
once at peace, once so calm
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
once at peace, once so calm
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
The lyrics in Diablo Swing Orchestra's song Stratosphere Serenade appear to be describing a dream-like state where the singer is free and surrounded by mankind. The only thing that seems to matter is the presence of another person, represented by the line "there's nothing here now but you." Although the singer used to be unaffected by gravity, they are now floating senselessly in this person's presence, experiencing a sense of euphoria. The world around them seems to be closing in, and they mention the loss of innocence and peace. There is a feeling of being woken up and called back home, which could represent a desire to return to a simpler or happier time.
The lyrics continue with the image of a "morphine slumber" in rooms that are safe and womb-shaped. The singer is sedated and experiencing a blurred vision, while the world around them is starting to quake. Despite this, they mention forgetting how affection used to taste, which could be interpreted as a desire for a deeper connection or intimacy. The final refrain repeats the idea of the world closing in and the loss of innocence and peace, and the idea of being called back home.
Overall, these lyrics evoke a dreamy, otherworldly feeling, with a sense of longing for connection and return to a state of innocence and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm free this time, and I surrounded mankind
I have freedom at this moment and I am amongst humanity
there's nothing here now but you
In this moment, only you are present
while gravity never used to bother me
In the past, I was not affected by gravity
I'm floating senseless in the presence of you
Now, I am weightless and numb in your company
and I see euphoria in what we do
I experience great joy in our actions
Morphine slumber, in haze of wonders
I am in a dreamy state, in a fog of amazement
enter womb-shaped rooms where we can be safe
We have entered rooms that provide security and comfort
vision blurred by an opiate sky
The sky is distorted due to the effects of drugs
sedated while your world starts to quake
As I am numbed by drugs, your world is beginning to shake
I forgot how affection used to taste
I have lost touch with how love and affection feel
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
The world is constricting, yet I am numb to the effects
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
Our pure and innocent relationship has been lost
once at peace, once so calm
We were once tranquil and composed
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
Something has stirred me awake and is now drawing me back
This world is closing in, and while I don't feel a thing
The world is constricting, yet I am numb to the effects
we've lost the air of innocence we shared
Our pure and innocent relationship has been lost
once at peace, once so calm
We were once tranquil and composed
whatever woke me up now it's calling me home
Something has stirred me awake and is now drawing me back
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.