Still, Harvey Danger has attracted U.S. attention due to their critical praise, with the All Music Guide calling the release 'Little By Little' "a smart and compelling pop album". In contrast, the band is little known in Europe, the aforementioned issues compounded since the band focused on selling themselves in America (especially Seattle) and thus made it very difficult for fans to get albums in Europe. The original drummer, Evan Sult, moved to Chicago and now drums in the band Bound Stems. For a short-time, he was replaced by Michael Welke, formerly of the band No. 226.
As a symbol of the group's close connection to its fans, they published their last album as a free download along with other materials. In 2009, they announced on their website they've called it quits. According to them, their decision was mutual, and they felt the band has run its course. The single "Flagpole Sitta" remains popular on various radio stations as well as having notoriety from being the theme song to the popular British comedy program 'Peep Show'.
On March 6, 2016, bass player and founding member, Aaron Huffman, died of respiratory failure.
Authenticity
Harvey Danger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a razor, please cut your wrists with me
Your supercommon, you flaunt your pedigree
Your clear as water ohwuhuhoh
I'm already spinnin in my grave
I'm already spinnin in my grave ohwuhuhoh
You have a question? I am the third degree
I am authentic, I'm authenticity
I'm no such thing-a ohwuhuhoh comeon!
I'm already spinnin in my grave
I'm already spinnin in my grave ohwuhuhoh
(its a damn shame)
I'm already spinnin in my grave
I'm already spittin on your grave ohwuhuhoh
The lyrics in Harvey Danger's "Authenticity" present a sharp critique of modern society's obsession with image and superficiality. The opening lines portray the singer as being both dangerous and alluring, comparing themselves to a "stinger" and a "honeybee." This potentially predatory image is juxtaposed with the disturbing request for someone to "cut their wrists" with the singer's "razor." This serves as a commentary on how society often values the appearance of danger or edginess over genuine human connection or emotional depth.
The chorus of the song reveals the singer's frustration and sense of hopelessness in the face of this reality. They claim to already be "spinnin in [their] grave," implying that their sense of disconnection and alienation from the world around them has become a sort of death in itself. The repeated refrain of "ohwuhuhoh" further emphasizes the singer's feelings of isolation and impotence.
The second half of the song expands on the idea of the singer being a symbol of authenticity. They claim to be the subject of someone's documentary, suggesting that they are being carefully scrutinized and presented to the world as a sort of ideal. However, the line "I'm no such thing-a" reveals that the singer is aware of and resistant to this characterization. They refuse to be reduced to a mere symbol or representation, insisting that their true value lies in their inherent authenticity. The final line of the song, "I'm already spittin on your grave," presents a final, angry rejection of the artificiality and shallowness of mainstream society.
Line by Line Meaning
I have a stinger, I am a honeybee
I have the ability to hurt you, yet I am also sweet and desirable
I am a razor, please cut your wrists with me
I am dangerous and destructive, please don't fall under my influence
Your supercommon, you flaunt your pedigree
You're ordinary and yet you try to show off your supposed high-class background
Your clear as water ohwuhuhoh
Your intentions are transparent and easily understood, they're not hidden or complicated
I'm already spinnin in my grave
I'm already disappointed and upset with the way things are going in this situation, I'm figuratively dead and buried
I am the subject of your documentary
I am the main focus of your scrutiny and observation, you're studying and analyzing me
You have a question? I am the third degree
You're interrogating me and asking me a series of intense and difficult questions
I am authentic, I'm authenticity
I am genuine and real, I embody what it means to be authentic
I'm no such thing-a ohwuhuhoh comeon!
I'm not what you think I am, don't be fooled by your assumptions
I'm already spittin on your grave ohwuhuhoh
I'm going to outlast you and your legacy, you won't be remembered fondly in the future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON HUFFMAN, EVAN SULT, JEFF LIN, SEAN NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind