Former members include Sorbara's ex-husband Dan Kurtz who moved from Brazil when he was 4, Joel Stouffer and Will Stapleton (who replaced original guitarist Simon Craig following the band's move to London). They originally formed in Toronto, Canada in 2005.
Originally called "The Fuzz", the band's first gigs were touring the USA as support act for Duran Duran. Since then the band have gone on to support other major UK acts including New Order, Basement Jaxx and the Sugababes. They have recently completed a series of headline gigs in small venues in the UK and Canada, and performed at the Glastonbury Festival 2007. Prior to signing their record contract, the Dragonette (EP) was independently released as promo only and the songs have gained the attention of many critics such as the popular music blog Popjustice where they were named the #1 pop act to look out for in 2007. The band share management with the Scissor Sisters.
On Thursday, February 08 2007, the video for the track "Jesus Doesn't Love Me", which was filmed in December 2006, leaked onto the internet, through the website MySpace and also Popjustice. The video has since been removed from MySpace, as it was not intended to be viewed at this point in time. A 'taster' of this video is currently available to watch on the band's official YouTube page.
In early February 2007 the band flew to Toronto to shoot a music video for their first single I Get Around. The single was initially set for release on 16th April. The date was later pushed back to 30th April. Despite heavy promotion from the band, it entered the UK singles chart at a disappointing #92. Many have attributed this to confusion as to when the single was actually released (at one point there were three conflicting 'release dates'), others claim it simply was not stocked in record shops anywhere outside of London. Also, the fact that I Get Around was at one time available to download for free from the band's website (back in 2005), and was previously released as part of the compilation album "Robopop" (back in 2006)], certainly did nothing to help its performance as a hit single in 2007.
In May 2007, the video for "Take It Like A Man" was leaked onto YouTube before the band had a chance to release it themselves. The second single was released on the 23 of July 2007. Their second single was another commercial disappointment, debuting at #122 on the UK Charts. Around this time a new track was sent out to DJs around the United Kingdom, a cover of Calvin Harris's single The Girls. Dragonette's version however, replaced the lyrics with "The Boys" - a re-working they had previously performed at London's Gay Pride 2007. On the promo CDs was written "Dragonette have something to say to Calvin Harris!" The song was leaked onto the internet. Later, a fan-video from YouTube appeared on Perez Hilton's famous blog. The song was also featured during a Nikki Hilton fashion show.
Galore was made available to download through the UK iTunes store on August 20, 2007. It was physically released on September 24 in Europe and Japan, and on the following day in Canada. The album reached #80 in the Canadian charts but failed to chart in the UK.
Live in This City
Dragonette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turned it over like a General Motor
It comes down heavy 'cause I dropped it
Like a tomahawk choppah
I gotta keep on doing what I'm doing
'Cause we clapping our hands now
Yeah I found my lipstick that I like
Downtown!
[Chorus]
I only live in this city, live in the city
I only live in this city, live in the city
I like to keep the place busy and I do it for free
'Cause this city can't live without me
Can't live without
Me and my gang, and some blind bandits (?)
We wind it up around the summer, roll it over to Can'da
Just so you know that queer with the face that you call my little pony
We basically invented this place
That's why it's only standing room only
Standing room only!
[Chorus]
Kings of the indie rockers
Top of the toilet choppers
Riots and rabble-rousers
High-rollers, phantom powers
(You can't live without)
Kings of the indie rockers
(You can't live without)
Top of the toilet choppers
(You can't live without)
Riots and rabble-rousers
(You can't live without)
High-rollers, phantom powers
(You can't live without)
Kings of the indie rockers
(Kings of the indie rockers)
Top of the toilet choppers
(Top of the toilet choppers)
Riots and rabble-rousers
(Riots and rabble-rousers)
High-rollers, phantom powers
I only live in this city, live in the city
I only live in this city, live in the city
I only keep the place busy, keep on workin' for free
'Cause this city can't live without me
Yeah I only live in this city, live in the ci-ty (x2)
I only keep the place busy, keep on workin' for free
'Cause this city can't live without me
Can't live without me
Can't live without me
Yeah I only live in this city cause' the city can't live without me
The lyrics of Dragonette's "Live in This City" express an unabashed love for the city and a sense of pride in being an essential part of it. The opening verses describe the singer starting up a song, dropping it like a tomahawk chopper, and clapping their hands as they find their favorite lipstick and walk downtown. These actions give the impression of someone who is unembarrassed by their love for the city and confident in their place in it. The chorus repeats the main theme of the song, which is the singer's belief that the city cannot survive without them.
In the second verse, the singer describes being part of a gang and winding up around the summer, rolling over to Canada. They also introduce a character called "the queer with the face that you call my little pony," implying that they are part of a queer community that has a significant impact on the city's culture. The reference to "standing room only" suggests that the group's performances or events are so popular that people can't fit into the space. The final verses list off descriptors for the singer and their gang, including "kings of the indie rockers," "top of the toilet choppers," "riots and rabble-rousers," and "high-rollers, phantom powers." These lines emphasize the group's power, influence, and uniqueness.
Line by Line Meaning
Missing half the song. I started it up
I began listening to a song but missed the beginning.
Turned it over like a General Motor
I rewound the song like a car engine.
It comes down heavy 'cause I dropped it
The music sounds intense because I skipped part of the song.
Like a tomahawk choppah
I abruptly stopped the song like swinging an axe.
I gotta keep on doin' what I'm doin'
I must continue doing what I am doing.
'Cause we clapping our hands now
We are applauding now.
Yeah I found my lipstick that I like
I found my preferred lipstick.
And so I'm walkin' it downtown
I am proudly displaying my lipstick in the city.
I only live in this city, live in the city
I reside solely in this urban area.
I like to keep the place busy and I do it for free
I enjoy keeping the city lively, regardless of compensation.
'Cause this city can't live without me
The city needs my presence and contributions to thrive.
Me and my gang, and some blind bandits (?)
My group and possibly some unreliable individuals.
We wind it up around the summer, roll it over to Can'da
We bring excitement in the summer and travel to Canada.
Just so you know that queer with the face that you call my little pony
I want you to recognize someone who appears unusual, but I appreciate them as a friend.
We basically invented this place
We played a large role in creating and shaping this city.
That's why it's only standing room only
The city is so crowded and lively that there is no seating available.
Kings of the indie rockers
We are the leaders of the independent music scene.
Top of the toilet choppers
We are the best musicians who play in small or dirty venues.
Riots and rabble-rousers
We enjoy riling up crowds and protesting for change.
High-rollers, phantom powers
We have significant influence and are successful, yet may not always be acknowledged.
Yeah I only live in this city cause' the city can't live without me
The city needs me to continue residing here.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN KURTZ, MARTINA SORBARA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Victoria Vo
They did an excellent job with editing and the simplistic choreography!
Jake Ryan
Gotta love a catchy song with a well-placed clap! This should’ve been a huge hit. Love Dragonette
njuta
Fantastic song, amazing album and now a incredible music video too! I love how they're really classing it up in those Canadian tuxedos.
Treasure Grace
I use to listen to this song when I use to get ready for school and for years I have always tried to find it and now I finally did! My life is now complete!
Jennifer Mv
Absolutely love this song and Dragonette! woooo Toronto! Just saw them this week and they were beyond amazing!
L Alba
Proud to be a Torontonian!!! Love these guys! Martina's so cute! Great song and fun video-very 80's inspired, I feel like I've gone back in time-my childhood. Unique sounding band...
Devo34
God this song is insanely catchy - love it!!
AKHETAMEN
I love these guys, I'm so lucky I met them, they are so buoyant and funny and amazing!
Becca
Love this song it's so catchy Martina is a brilliant lovely woman i'll always remember going to her show in Toronto i love artists that actually interact with the audience it makes you feel so much closer to them and love them more also loving that she's Canadian, think she wrote this song about Toronto. lot's of talent from Canada :) <3 proud to be Canadian.
Channel
i love these guys,,, why they aren't huge is a mystery