Jon released his debut solo album, "Psycho Jukebox" in June 2011, having already released a free EP "The Magic Hour" on his website in February 2011. The album has spawned two singles, "Santo Domingo" and "Baby, We're Refugees!"
His second album, "Bright Night Flowers" is being recorded and due to be released in 2012.
Santo Domingo
Jon Fratelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy Santo Domingo
(repeat)
Bring your best brains and your dead girl shoes.
Cigarette changed, dressed in greens and blues
Suck the life from all those burlesque bends
Bring peaches and a Kalaida-phone.
We'll call and see if the stars are home.
Play chopsticks on my guitar,
Drive backwards in your one wheeled car
Chorus
Come and meet me when the lights are low.
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy Santo Domingo.
(x2)
Bring your headcase and his jealous eyes
Looks a right dog, in shirts and ties
Bring your sisters on day release
Ten green bottles and the eyelid police
Bridge
Play me some banjo make me some noise
Take me for granted, tell my children got no choice
Pour me a little gravy, protect my muse.
Torture me outta my dumb little mind
And leave me all confused
Make my head swim.
Chorus
Come and meet me when the lights are low.
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Play your rap song on the piano,
Die happy Santo Domingo
(repeat)
The lyrics to Jon Fratelli's "Santo Domingo" are quite enigmatic and difficult to decipher. It appears to be a plea for someone to come and engage in some reckless behavior together. The reference to "Santo Domingo" may hint at a desire to escape and indulge in some hedonistic or decadent activities. The opening line "Come and meet me when the lights are low" sets the tone for the song, which seems to be a call for some illicit and secretive behaviour.
The verse "Bring your best brains and your dead girl shoes / Cigarette changed, dressed in greens and blues / Leave your sick boy and his skinny friends / Suck the life from all those burlesque bends / Bring peaches and a Kalaida-phone. / We'll call and see if the stars are home. / Play chopsticks on my guitar, / Drive backwards in your one-wheeled car" paints the picture of characters who are indulging in some wild and perhaps self-destructive behaviour. The mention of a "dead girl shoes" may reference someone who has passed on or someone who is dangerous, while the reference to "sick boy" alludes to someone who is a burden or a drag.
In summary, "Santo Domingo" appears to be an ode to reckless abandon and a yearning for a life unfettered by the constraints of convention or propriety.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and meet me when the lights are low
Join me in the shadows when the world is dark.
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Your appearance is as I expected it to be- tired and worn out.
Play your rap song on the piano
Perform your unique musical talent on the keyboard.
Die happy Santo Domingo
Find contentment and peace in the Dominican Republic.
Bring your best brains and your dead girl shoes.
Come along with your knowledge and your old worn-out footwear.
Cigarette changed, dressed in greens and blues
Switch from one vice to another and sport specific colors.
Leave your sick boy and his skinny friends
Abandon your unhealthy acquaintance and their frail companions.
Suck the life from all those burlesque bends
Extract energy from the twists and turns of the sultry dance form.
Bring peaches and a Kalaida-phone.
Transport the juicy fruit and a particular musical instrument to the destination.
We'll call and see if the stars are home.
Attempt to reach the celestial beings and communicate with them.
Play chopsticks on my guitar,
Create basic tunes on the six-stringed instrument.
Drive backwards in your one wheeled car
Navigate the single-wheeled vehicle in reverse.
Come and meet me when the lights are low.
Join me in the shadows when the world is dark.
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Your appearance is as I expected it to be- tired and worn out.
Play your rap song on the piano
Perform your unique musical talent on the keyboard.
Die happy Santo Domingo.
Find contentment and peace in the Dominican Republic.
Bring your headcase and his jealous eyes
Accompany your unstable companion and their envious gaze.
Looks a right dog, in shirts and ties
Appears unfavorable despite wearing formal attire.
Bring your sisters on day release
Bring your sibling(s) out after being confined for a certain period.
Ten green bottles and the eyelid police
Possess alcoholic beverages and avoid being caught by the authorities.
Play me some banjo make me some noise
Give a lively performance on a stringed instrument.
Take me for granted, tell my children got no choice
Use me as a given and convince my offspring of their limited options.
Pour me a little gravy, protect my muse.
Serve me a small amount of sauce and safeguard my inspiration.
Torture me outta my dumb little mind
Agonize me until I am freed from my naive thoughts.
And leave me all confused
Cause me to be bewildered when you depart.
Make my head swim.
Cause my thoughts to swirl around uncontrollably.
Come and meet me when the lights are low.
Join me in the shadows when the world is dark.
You look half dead, though I told you so.
Your appearance is as I expected it to be- tired and worn out.
Play your rap song on the piano
Perform your unique musical talent on the keyboard.
Die happy Santo Domingo
Find contentment and peace in the Dominican Republic.
Contributed by Christopher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Caesar Ochoa
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
[Verse 1: Jon Fratelli]
Bring your best brains and your dead girl shoes
Cigarette chains, dressed in greens and blues
Leave your sick boy and his skinny friends
Suck the life from all those burlesque bends
Bring peaches and a kaleidophone
We'll call and see if the stars are home
Play chopsticks on my guitar
Drive backwards in your one-wheeled car
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
[Verse 2: Jon Fratelli]
Bring your headcase and his jealous eyes
Seven ragdolls, in shirts and ties
Bring your sisters on day release
Ten green bottles and the eyelid police
[Bridge: Jon Fratelli]
Play me some banjo make me some noise
Take me for granted, till my children got no choice
Pour me a little gravy, protect my muse
Torture me outta my dumb little mind
And leave me all confused
Make my head swim
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Caesar Ochoa
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
[Verse 1: Jon Fratelli]
Bring your best brains and your dead girl shoes
Cigarette chains, dressed in greens and blues
Leave your sick boy and his skinny friends
Suck the life from all those burlesque bends
Bring peaches and a kaleidophone
We'll call and see if the stars are home
Play chopsticks on my guitar
Drive backwards in your one-wheeled car
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
[Verse 2: Jon Fratelli]
Bring your headcase and his jealous eyes
Seven ragdolls, in shirts and ties
Bring your sisters on day release
Ten green bottles and the eyelid police
[Bridge: Jon Fratelli]
Play me some banjo make me some noise
Take me for granted, till my children got no choice
Pour me a little gravy, protect my muse
Torture me outta my dumb little mind
And leave me all confused
Make my head swim
[Chorus: Jon Fratelli]
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Come and meet me when the lights are low
You look half dead, though I told you so
Play your rap song on the piano
Die happy in Santo Domingo
Harry Rag
That is exactly what i want to do with my life. Walk down roads and across deserts with a drum on my back and a guitar in my hands. + The song is AMAZING
Song DeMac
Simplemente el mejor siempre será jon
mallika tandon
I remember this playing on the radio in ‘13 (New Delhi) and I’m listening to it again after 8 years! What a wild memory!
TheJLBirch
Brilliant song, forever on repeat :)
Dermacrosis
After all this time I finally understand the words of the whole song. Now I can sing a long to it. With my voice though I am not sure that is a good thing for my neighbours, but sod it.
Sarah Beth
I like all the interesting little sounds :) Can't wait to get this album so I can listen to it all the time
OxayZ
This is amazing Jon ROCKS!
murdenis
Outstanding as usual, looking forward to the CD. Great stuff.
Matthew Ross
cant wait! 2 weeks and i will be seeing him live! :)