The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
Van Tango
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Mean old scene, Van Tango)
Van Tango had a mean old scene, Van Tango!
(Mean old scene, Van Tango)
He worked night-shift at the opera
(Mean old scene, Van Tango)
Watching the girls go by
(Girls go by, Van Tango)
(Singled out, Van Tango)
He's singled out every night
(Singled out, Van Tango)
Caretaker of the night
He's the king of the night
Caretaker of the night
He's the king of the night
Van Tango had a mean old scene, Van Tango!
(Mean old scene, Van Tango)
Van Tango had a mean old scene, Van Tango!
(Mean old scene, Van Tango)
He wore his quiff Venetian style
(Venetian style, Van Tango)
His fags were cheap, but with a filter
(Really cheap, Van Tango)
He don't suck up to no-one tonight
(Don't suck up, Van Tango)
He don't suck up to no-one at all
(Don't suck up, Van Tango)
Van Tango, Van Tango
Van Tango, Van Tan-Tan-Tan-Tan-Tango
Caretaker of the night
He's the king of the night
Caretaker of the night
He's the king of the night
Van Tango, Van Tango, Van Tan-Tan-Tan-Tan-Tango
Van Tango, Van Tango, Van Tan-Tan-Tan-Tan-Tango
The song "Van Tango" by Franz Ferdinand explores the character of a man named Van Tango who works the night shift at an opera house, watching the girls go by. The lyrics suggest that Van Tango is a lonely man who is "singled out" every night. The chorus repeats the phrase "Van Tango had a mean old scene," which highlights the harsh realities of Van Tango's life. Despite this, he remains the "caretaker of the night" and the "king of the night," showcasing the importance of his role in this world.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is not afraid to stand out, as shown by his Venetian-style quiff and his refusal to "suck up" to anyone. He is his own person and does not conform to the expectations of others. The repetition of his name throughout the song reinforces his individuality and the weight of his presence.
Overall, "Van Tango" is a melancholic portrayal of a man who works unnoticed in the shadows but holds a vital role in the world. The lyrics emphasize his strength and independence, despite the difficulties he faces.
Line by Line Meaning
Van Tango had a mean old scene, Van Tango!
The scene in Van Tango (a place, possibly a bar or club) was rough and unpleasant
Mean old scene, Van Tango
The environment in Van Tango was harsh and unwelcoming
He worked night-shift at the opera
Van Tango worked at the opera, likely as a night-shift worker
Watching the girls go by
Van Tango was known to watch the women passing by
Singled out, Van Tango
Van Tango was often the focus of attention, singled out from the others
He's singled out every night
Van Tango was frequently singled out, possibly for good or bad reasons, but this was a consistent theme
Caretaker of the night
Van Tango was in charge of the night, or held a position of responsibility in the Van Tango scene
He's the king of the night
Van Tango was regarded as a leader or influential figure in the night scene of Van Tango
He wore his quiff Venetian style
Van Tango's hairstyle resembled that of a Venetian, indicating he was fashion-conscious or took pride in his appearance
His fags were cheap, but with a filter
Van Tango smoked inexpensive cigarettes, although they had a filter indicating he might have been concerned for his health
Don't suck up, Van Tango
Van Tango didn't try to impress or win favor from anyone
He don't suck up to no-one at all
Van Tango never tried to curry favor or impress anyone at all times
Van Tango, Van Tango
A repetition of Van Tango's name, emphasizing his presence and influence
Van Tango, Van Tan-Tan-Tan-Tan-Tango
A repetition of Van Tango's name, with the addition of a rhythmic emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind