1) Harem Scarem is a R… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Harem Scarem is a Rock band hailing from Ontario, Canada, formed in 1987. They renamed themselves Rubber in 1999 and released two albums under that name. In 2001, they went back to the Harem Scarem name. In the Summer of 2007 they announced they "will officially break-up after one more studio album." They would reform in 2013 and has released four more albums since then.
2) Harem Scarem emerged from Melbourne's mid-80's indie scene, but, it could be argued, were closer in sound to classic Australian blues-rock from a decade before (Dingoes, Coloured Balls, Chain, Rose Tattoo etc.). Their sound was infused with a heady mix of punk spirit and Stax soul that also made them contemporaries of the likes of The Gun Club and the Beasts Of Bourbon.
Harem Scarem first appeared on the Melbourne Psychobilly compilation “Asleep at the Wheel”. They soon developed (via the “Dogman” EP and some key line-up changes) into a powerhouse live act, where Christopher Marshall's extraordinary, passionate vocals combined with Charlie Marshall's stonesy guitar.
With the classic line-up of the Marshall brothers, Barry Palmer (guitar), Glen Sheldon (bass), Peter Jones (drums) and Chris Wilson (harmonica & sax), the band went into the studio with producer John Archer (Hunters & Collectors) and emerged with this, their masterful 1986 album: Pilgrim's Progress (now re-issued by Aztec Music http://www.aztecmusic.net/)
3) Harem Scarem is a Scottish contemporary folk band http://www.haremscaremscotland.co.uk who have collaborated with Will Oldham AKA 'Bonnie Prince Billy'
Necessary Evil
Harem Scarem Lyrics
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Another glass of rain in the hurricane of you
Another pretty little promise fallen through
From your pride and joy to your whipping boy again
I'm just another link who's hanging from your chain
I was hoping to tie you down
But forgive my confusion
You know what you're leading me to
Over these borderlines I can't read through the rhymes
You're pushing me over lines til my gun goes off
But it's a necessary evil
It's a twisted line that winds through right and wrong
You tear down my resistance and then you're gone
You got me on a string
I'll do anything you please
But you always seem to want me on my knees
The lyrics to Harem Scarem's song Necessary Evil tell the story of one person's experience with an ambiguous relationship. The phrase "another glass of rain in the hurricane of you" sets the tone for the song, as the singer conveys a sense of being caught up in the turmoil that the other person brings. Throughout the rest of the song, we hear phrases like "pretty little promise fallen through" and "from your pride and joy to your whipping boy again," which reveal a cycle of disappointment and manipulation that the singer seems unable to escape.
Despite this, there seems to be a part of the singer that is still drawn to the other person, as seen in the lines "I was hoping to tie you down/But forgive my confusion/You know what you're leading me to." There's a sense of frustration as well - "why do you want to see me crawl" - but also a willingness to submit to the other person's whims: "you got me on a string/I'll do anything you please/but you always seem to want me on my knees."
Line by Line Meaning
Another glass of rain in the hurricane of you
Another instance of feeling insignificant in the midst of your overwhelming personality
Another pretty little promise fallen through
Another failed commitment, adding to the trail of broken promises
From your pride and joy to your whipping boy again
From your source of happiness to your victim of abuse once again
I'm just another link who's hanging from your chain
I am merely a powerless individual bound to your control
I was hoping to tie you down
I wanted to secure a commitment from you
But forgive my confusion
Sorry for being perplexed by your ever-changing actions
You know what you're leading me to
You are fully aware of the situation you are putting me in
Why do you want to see me crawl
Why do you take pleasure in seeing me degraded?
Over these borderlines I can't read through the rhymes
Over these perplexing boundaries I cannot decipher through your deception
You're pushing me over lines til my gun goes off
You are provoking me until I reach my breaking point and take drastic action
But it's a necessary evil
But it is something that must be endured in order to move forward
It's a twisted line that winds through right and wrong
It is a complex moral dilemma with no clear right or wrong choices
You tear down my resistance and then you're gone
You break down my barriers and leave me to deal with the aftermath
You got me on a string
You have complete control over me
I'll do anything you please
I will comply with all of your desires
But you always seem to want me on my knees
But you always want me to be submissive and vulnerable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Ward, Harold Hess, Pete Lesperance
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny English
Band rocks. Saw them at Roxanne's in Hull and then they opened for Aldo Nova in Montreal on the Blood on the Bricks tour and they almost stole the show.