Gloria Deluxe's music defies ready categorization: different albums are categorized by iTunes as "alternative," "blues," and "country," but none of these labels seems entirely adequate. The tone is urban and also partakes of the music hall and cabaret. Some work, including their most recent album, ACCIDENTAL NOSTALGIA, has been composed to accompany various kinds of performance art pieces.
Another distinctive feature of Gloria Deluxe's work is the instrumentation. In addition to the usual guitar, bass, and drums of modern popular music, G.D. prominently features Philippa Thompson's violin, and Ms. Hopkins' accordion, as well as other instruments, most notably the musical saw.
Recently the band has released a follow-up to ACCIDENTAL NOSTALGIA, called MUST DON'T WHIP UM.
Coda
Gloria Deluxe Lyrics
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I crawled under the crossfire of nations of hells
My face did not show signs of scars
Of many nights I'd known
Of blackness against blackness, never to be recalled
My eyes were not spared the cost of drinking I had done
And though I shot em down like birds on a fence
My hands would not lift up against the beating I received
A black ocean of waves
Well, nothing ever changes after innocence is lost
For a slew of taking chances I must pay the cost
And how far has it got me? and what have I to show?
For all the blood-filled eyes to cry :
'and this too shall go,
And this too shall go'
The lyrics in Gloria Deluxe's song Coda convey a sense of resignation and acceptance in the face of a life filled with hardship and struggles. The singer admits that despite experiencing pain and violence, they did not fight back or even protest against the injustices they faced. They bear the scars of their past but choose not to dwell on them, understanding that they cannot change the past and instead focus on the present.
The lines "My bad luck ran in spades and gathered at my back, a black ocean of waves" portray the idea that life keeps throwing curveballs, and they have to face the consequences of their decisions. Even though they have taken risks and faced numerous challenges, they still question the outcome and feel uncertain about the path they have taken in life. The repeated refrain "and this too shall go" seems to suggest that the singer realizes that life is fleeting and everything is temporary, including their current predicament.
Overall, the lyrics in Coda paint a picture of a person who has lived through difficult times and carries emotional and physical scars but chooses to move forward with acceptance and a forward-looking spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
My voice did not rise up against the clanging of the bell
I didn't speak up against the warning signs that forced everyone else to hide.
I crawled under the crossfire of nations of hells
I hid under chaos that ravaged entire countries, unsure of where to turn.
My face did not show signs of scars
Outwardly, I appeared totally unscathed, though the scars I carried were invisible and numerous.
Of many nights I'd known
I had a lot of experience with dark and lonely nights.
Of blackness against blackness, never to be recalled
I faced unimaginable pain and hardship that can't be fully remembered or recounted.
My eyes were not spared the cost of drinking I had done
I paid a price for my excessive drinking in the form of bloodshot and tired eyes.
And though I shot em down like birds on a fence
Despite the way I took down my problems with ease, I couldn't bring myself to fight back when I was hit.
My hands would not lift up against the beating I received
When I was attacked and pummeled, I couldn't bring myself to fight back and instead let my attackers have their way.
My bad luck ran in spades and gathered at my back,
My bad luck was so intense and frequent that it physically weighed down on me and followed me wherever I went.
A black ocean of waves
My negative experiences were constant and overwhelming, like a dark ocean with towering waves that threatened to drown me.
Well, nothing ever changes after innocence is lost
Once you've lost your innocence, nothing ever feels the same again and life can never be fully trusted again.
For a slew of taking chances I must pay the cost
The risks I took in my life ended up costing me more than what they were worth.
And how far has it got me? and what have I to show?
When I look back on my choices and where I ended up, I can't help but wonder if it was all worth it and if I have anything tangible to show for it.
For all the blood-filled eyes to cry : 'and this too shall go,
Despite the suffering I endured, the pain will eventually pass and everything will be okay.
And this too shall go'
Even when it feels like the darkness will never end, the pain will eventually fade and things will get better.
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.