After self-releasing 2007's All Lies and 2008's Lullaby Death Jams EPs to little attention, the band was effectively broken up by the end of 2008. In January 2009, Japandroids signed to Unfamiliar Records for the release of their debut LP Post-Nothing, deciding to continue on temporarily. The album quickly and unexpectedly rose to wide critical acclaim after its April release. King and Prowse were subsequently signed to Polyvinyl and toured extensively throughout 2009 and 2010, playing more than 200 shows in 20 countries and earning praise for their extremely energetic live performances. A compilation of Japandroids' self-released EPs, entitled No Singles, as well as a series of three 7" singles, "Art Czars," "Younger Us," and "Heavenward Grand Prix" were released in the meantime. The tour ultimately concluded on October 27, 2010.
After working on new material throughout 2011, Japandroids announced in March 2012 that their second LP, Celebration Rock, would be released internationally on June 5, prefaced by the single "The House That Heaven Built" on May 15. Similarly to its predecessor, Celebration Rock was also widely acclaimed by critics.
No Allegiance to the Queen
Japandroids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You bought us with ones
We saw a small screen
But we never saw the funds
We're still bleeding
But we're still breathing too
You need our money
We need air
I'm dreaming currency
And it's aging me
No allegiance to the queen
The lyrics of Japandroids’ song No Allegiance to the Queen shed light on the power dynamic between the music industry and artists. The first line “You bought us with zeros // You bought us with ones” refers to record labels offering artists a contract and advance money for signing with them. The following line “We saw a small screen // But we never saw the funds” suggests that the artists’ exposure through music videos and media coverage does not necessarily translate into financial support or stability. The artists are in a vulnerable position, being lured by the possibility of success but ultimately at the mercy of the industry.
The lyrics then contrast the hardship and struggle of being a musician ‘We’re still bleeding // But we’re still breathing too’ with the power dynamic further highlighted with the line ‘You need our money // More than we need you’. The artists recognize their worth and value to the industry, but also the fact that they are being exploited for financial gain. The final line ‘No allegiance to the queen’ is a rejection of traditional societal structures and systems, and perhaps a refusal to pledge loyalty to an industry that does not prioritize the wellbeing of the artists it profits from.
Line by Line Meaning
You bought us with zeros
You lured us in with promises of digital wealth
You bought us with ones
You convinced us that even small amounts of money could lead to great riches
We saw a small screen
We became fixated on the images and information presented on our electronic devices
But we never saw the funds
We never received the actual money that we believed we were entitled to, despite our efforts
We're still bleeding
We continue to suffer financial losses
But we're still breathing too
Nevertheless, we remain alive and resilient in the face of adversity
You need our money
You depend on our financial contributions in order to maintain your power and influence
More than we need you
We recognize that the influence and benefits that you provide are not worth the cost and sacrifice that we must make in order to support you
We need air
Our fundamental requirements for life and existence are simple and essential
I'm dreaming currency
I am obsessed with the idea of gaining wealth and prosperity, to the point that it dominates my thoughts and dreams
And it's aging me
My constant preoccupation with money and material gain is having negative effects on my physical and mental health
No allegiance to the queen
I do not feel obligated or committed to supporting any particular political or economic system that benefits only those in power and does not prioritize the well-being of ordinary citizens
Contributed by Cooper O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.