Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York formed in 2007 … Read Full Bio ↴Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York formed in 2007 by DJ Andy Butler. From 2007 through 2010, members included Nomi Ruiz, Kim Ann Foxman and guest singer Antony Hegarty from the band Antony and the Johnsons. They are signed to DFA Records. Their single "Blind" was released on March 3rd, 2008, and their debut self-titled album (produced by Butler and Tim Goldsworthy) was released on March 10th, 2008. The album has been critically well-received and charted in the top 40 in several countries.

In January 2011, Andy Butler came back with a brand new crew and released "Blue Songs", Hercules and Love Affair's sophomore effort, mainly influenced by nineties house and electro music. Aside from Kim Ann Foxman, band members now includes Mark Pistel, Aerea Negrot, Shaun Wright.

The band's central figure, Andrew Butler, began his musical career at 15, DJing in a Denver leather bar run by a hostess called Chocolate Thunder Pussy. He then moved to Brooklyn, in order to attend Sarah Lawrence College. According to Butler: "I’ve been writing songs since childhood. I made music for dance performances in college (where he studied under Martin Goldray), like a remake of Gino Soccio’s ‘Runaway’ done in the style of Kraftwerk."

Former member of the collective, Nomi, was born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York. One of her earlier songs "You'll Never Know" appeared on "The Enlightened Family" Compilation released by Voodoo EROS. She also released her debut album "Lost in Lust" in 2005, an auto-biographical snap shot of life on the streets of Brooklyn. The record was self-released under the Park Side Records label and is being compared to a union between Wu Tang Clan's The RZA on beats and Sade on vocals. Since the album's release Nomi has toured Europe and the US with CocoRosie. She performed at stylist Patricia Field's residence for Fashion Week, toured Europe with Antony and the Johnsons as one of 13 NYC Beauties in the Turning Tour and recently emerged as an MC on a yet to be released version of "Heat of the Moment" with the legendary Deborah Harry.

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Athene
Hercules and Love Affair Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Athena, she's not a man or boy
She's is a 'survisa'
These guns are fighting for

Athena, she offers frozen shine
She taught me how to make
Make my lost reflex show

How are your born with wisdom
I look at every face
The way ours a gentile kiss
I look for the same thing

Athena, not perfect but so strong
War is in her own heart
Singing a woman's song

Athena, with her now she can give
To the battles of the light
She's strong enough to win

How are your born with wisdom
I look at every face
The way ours a gentile kiss
I look for the same thing

How are your born with wisdom
I look at every face
The way ours a gentile kiss
I look for the same thing

How are your born with wisdom
I look at every face

The way ours a gentile kiss
I look for the same thing

Overall Meaning

The song "Athene" by Hercules and Love Affair is an ode to the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athena. The song begins by stating that Athena is neither a man nor a boy, but instead a "survisa" which could be interpreted as a feminine force that transcends gender binaries. It is said that the "guns" are fighting for Athena, indicating that her power and strength rely on warfare.

The following lines are about how Athena offers "frozen shine" and teaches the singer to make their "lost reflex show." This could be interpreted as Athena providing the singer with an inner wisdom and strength that has been dormant or lost. The lines that ask "How are you born with wisdom?" suggest that the singer is in awe of Athena's strength and wishes to attain the same level of wisdom and power.

The chorus declares that Athena is not perfect, but her strength is in her heart as she sings a "woman's song." The line "with her now she can give" perhaps indicates that the singer has found comfort and strength in Athena's presence and is ready to take on fights for the light.

In summary, the song is about the strength, wisdom, and power of Athena, and how the singer aspires to possess similar qualities.

Line by Line Meaning

Athena, she's not a man or boy
Athena is not limited by gender stereotypes

She's is a 'survisa'
She is a guiding force, overseeing and protecting

These guns are fighting for
We are fighting for her cause

Athena, she offers frozen shine
Athena provides a cool, clear-headed presence

She taught me how to make
She taught me how to create and take action

Make my lost reflex show
To act without thinking, instinctively

How are your born with wisdom
How are some born with innate knowledge

I look at every face
I search for answers and understanding in the people I meet

The way ours a gentile kiss
The way we interact with each other kindly and with grace

I look for the same thing
I seek to find these qualities in those around me

Athena, not perfect but so strong
Athena may have flaws, but her strength overcomes them

War is in her own heart
She has a fierce determination to achieve her goals

Singing a woman's song
She is proud to be a woman and sings her own unique tune

Athena, with her now she can give
Athena gives us the power to fight for her cause

To the battles of the light
To the fights against darkness and ignorance

She's strong enough to win
Athena is capable of emerging victorious