While Gang Gang Dance is generally associated with fellow space cases (Animal Collective, Black Dice), their sound is wholly unique. While their earlier sound was much more chaotic and sprawling, the latest material is a combination of skewed pop music with the unpredictability of experimental/noise performances. The eerie female vocals are reminiscent at times of an airy Kate Bush, trapped in a deep well with no one to sing to. The band belts out Arabian synth lines mixed with delayed out shimmer guitar, over dark poly-rhythms. Their beat heavy weird tribal-noise appeals to fans of all flavors of marginal and/or left centered pop music. And yes, you can dance to it.
House
Gang Gang Dance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How quickly the glimma fades
Spread spreading out my stone wings
Why I, I become the storm
The finest marble
Like a raven heading for the sun
Spread spreading out my stone wings
Forth from the river with the yellow tide
Don't get toothed at the cliffs
I'm sad, sad about somethin
And there's no soul left to grate here
Like overstaying
A welcome that has been denied
Take me to the opium benign
Where the light took time
Ah steamrollers paved over life
All I can say is what a pim it's been
Will the clouds carry my tears to you
Carry my tears to you
Carry my tears
Will the clouds carry my tears to you
Carry my tears to you
Carry my tears
The opening lines of Gang Gang Dance's House Jam trace the experience of someone who has been in the spotlight, with the light shining on them. The lyrics describe how quickly the attention fades away and how this can leave one feeling vulnerable and exposed. The reference to spreading out stone wings perhaps represents the protective shell the individual has developed in response to the attention. The lines "Why I, I become the storm" suggest that the person has transformed from being passive to active, perhaps taking on a more rebellious or confrontational stance.
The mention of the finest marble and a raven heading for the sun draws on classic motifs representing power and ambition. The use of stone wings is an interesting juxtaposition to these ideas, as wings usually represent freedom and movement. The metaphor of the raven heading for the sun might refer to the story of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death. The repeated lines "Spread spreading out my stone wings, why I, I become the storm" reinforce the idea that the individual is in a state of flux or transformation, with the stone wings representing the protective layer they've built around themselves.
The later lines in the song don't follow a clear narrative trajectory but rather seem like abstract impressions or stream of consciousness musings. The line "I'm sad, sad about somethin" stands out for its simplicity and honesty, and the use of the word "pim" as a slang term for "pain in the ass" adds a touch of humor. The final lines of the song use the metaphor of tears being carried by clouds, perhaps indicating a desire to share or unburden one's emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
One with the light shined on them
Someone who has received attention and recognition
How quickly the glimma fades
The speed at which fame or fortune can disappear
Spread spreading out my stone wings
Expanding and pushing beyond limitations
Why I, I become the storm
Feeling empowered and taking control of one's life
The finest marble
A symbol of luxury and beauty
Like a raven heading for the sun
Going after something despite the risks
Forth from the river with the yellow tide
Moving away from the ordinary and familiar
Don't get toothed at the cliffs
Avoiding danger and obstacles on one's path
I'm sad, sad about somethin
Feeling a sense of loss or disappointment
And there's no soul left to grate here
Feeling isolated and alone
Like overstaying
Outstaying one's welcome
A welcome that has been denied
Being rejected or excluded
Take me to the opium benign
Seeking an escape or a sense of calm
Where the light took time
Looking for a place where things move at a slower pace
Ah steamrollers paved over life
The destructive power of modernization and progress
All I can say is what a pim it's been
Reflecting on the ups and downs of life
Will the clouds carry my tears to you
Wondering if someone else cares about one's emotions
Carry my tears to you
Wanting comfort and support from someone else
Carry my tears
Expressing a need to release pent-up emotions
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Brian Degraw, Elizabeth Bougatsos, Joshua Alden Deutsch, Timothy Wayne Dewit
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
iTeacupPanda
@Sabrina Horak Rabbit Heart, she uses a single verse with a similar melody as an homage in her intro. The song as a whole is vastly different though. Had the original song not been quoted for half a lyric, you really wouldn't compare the two otherwise. ( The segment of the melody is too short to copyright on its own. )
In truth what backed her into a wall is citing them as an inspiration in interviews. She never hid it because she obviously isn't malicious.
After all Kate Bush and Tori Amos and many artists quote from plays, novels, musicals, other songs. Songs like diss tracks often repeat the hook to the first song in the same melody back before mocking it.
The irony is that if you actually listen to it . . . they don't sound that similar in that HALF a lyric " How quickly the glamour fades " which is a common saying really and concept? The melody isn't truly the same, they just both use a vocal distortion ( Flo's natural ) and Gang Gang's edited on " Fades "
iTeacupPanda
5 words that build a not uncommon lyric . They honestly don't even build a melody. It's just that there are only five words and there is a vocal distortion on the final word. It's hard for it not to sound similar at that point.
and honestly " the " hardly counts as a word. So 4 songs versus the rest of an entire song? Florence didn't need to rip off anyone , the woman is vastly talented.
I guarantee you, every artist has something that quotes something. Kate Bush quotes novels, many songs take portions of songs like " Parting Glass " or quote the hook to a rival's song in the same melody before providing a bounty of diss track lyrics to show who they're calling out or what they're making fun of.
Songs since the beginning of time have quoted conversations, speeches, plays, musicals, novels, the bible, religious songs, folk songs, movie dialogue.
4 seconds is hardly enough to sue over, especially when it'sthe intro and not a hook. There wouldn't have even been a case for it if Florence hadn't already been so open in interviews before it happened about it.
Ripping off and sampling are very different things and at four seconds and it not even being the same melody and only being HALF a lyric? It leans more toward inspiration.
Hannah Brown
love this too much, it's amazing, especially love the way the drums at the beginning sound like a slightly out of sync loop. Too many awsome things to mention, just can't get enough of it. xxxxxx
Alexandre Poulin
one of the greatest songs of 2008
Kadin Bergen
To Florence and the Machine fans: If F+M liked this song enough to "rip off" Gang Gang Dance, then maybe, just maybe, you too can all find it in your collective hearts, to take the song for what it is, and realize that just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it sucks. To Gang Gang Dance fans: F+M did a good deed for GGD by providing a gateway to their music. Sure it's unfortunate that who took this gateway are being very close-minded about the music, but it's a gateway none the less.
iTeacupPanda
@Sabrina Horak Rabbit Heart, she uses a single verse with a similar melody as an homage in her intro. The song as a whole is vastly different though. Had the original song not been quoted for half a lyric, you really wouldn't compare the two otherwise. ( The segment of the melody is too short to copyright on its own. )
In truth what backed her into a wall is citing them as an inspiration in interviews. She never hid it because she obviously isn't malicious.
After all Kate Bush and Tori Amos and many artists quote from plays, novels, musicals, other songs. Songs like diss tracks often repeat the hook to the first song in the same melody back before mocking it.
The irony is that if you actually listen to it . . . they don't sound that similar in that HALF a lyric " How quickly the glamour fades " which is a common saying really and concept? The melody isn't truly the same, they just both use a vocal distortion ( Flo's natural ) and Gang Gang's edited on " Fades "
Sabrina Horak
Kadin Bergen which song is it?
Javito
This!!
Web
The drums in this track - awesome.
Sarah Huxley
'how quickly the glamour fades' is like one of my favorite lyrics as well :/ i had no idea florence didn't write it herself
quirkyrecords
wow really interesting sound, almost sounds like glitch, aphex twin or venetian snares in there but its simple drums and its a great sound, vocals very nice too, time to check out the rest of the album me thinks
attaxwrongnes
@jamesthemod i have just listened to both and florences track has pretty much robbed the verse. I guess its good that gang gang get that extra exposure, they deserve way more recognition