Their music can be described as guitar-based singer-songwriter rock or folk-rock. It ranges from very delicate and intimate singer-songwriter songs to songs that are stronger, more active and louder. Sam’s smoky, enigmatic voice is the band's best known characteristic. In the seven years between The Great Subconscious Club and Almost Happy the music changed from raw and guitar-based to a more subtle and delicate sound. Sam and Gert write most of the music and lyrics. Most of it is written separately.
Sam mainly tries to express ideas in his songs, and has a hand in writing silly and tongue-in-cheek songs. Gert has one big theme: losing the one you love. While most of the songs are easily accessible and open, some others are strange and incomprehensible. This led Sam to comment: "Listening to the lyrics in the first time, you may find it hard to understand their meaning. When you listen to them a second time you may sense a basic truth in these cryptic words. If you do so, please let me know."
This band appeared in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Doppelgangland) with the song Virgin State of Mind, leading to a boost in popularity.Their most popular song 'Not an addict' can be heard in the movie 'Wild things'.
K's Choice fifth studio album, "Echo Mountain" (after the studios where it was recorded - Echo Mountain Studios in North Carolina) was released on 26 March 2010, with singles "When I Lay Beside You" and "Come Live The Life" being released from the album.
2016 marked the band's first US tour in over 10 years, which the band releasing an accompanying sessions album - The Backpack Sessions later in the year.
In January 2017, the band released a stripped-back re-recording of "Not an Addict." It featured Skin of Skunk Anansie as a guest vocalist, who had previously performed the song live with the group on several occasions.
On 16 March 2018, the band released a live album entitled "Live at the Ancienne Belgique", recorded at a concert (in Dec 2017) in Brussels during the 25th Anniversary tour.
In May 2019, Sam Bettens came out as a trans man.
America
K's Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you hold on to it
An eagle in a cage
That gets on with it's life
And somehow will survive
And it will rise and fall
Not unlike the sun
You worked hard to get on top
And there's nothing here to stop you
You show it on T.V.
Where everyone looks tall
A prom queen in the mall
How she'd kill to get it all
Don't we all?
America
Are you hated everywhere?
Do you know and do you care?
Well, I know you're getting there
The hope you have is real
The hope I hope to feel
One day we will share it all
And dive into the waterfall
America
The hope you have is real
The hope I hope to feel
One day we will share it all
And dive into the waterfall
America
(Take THAT Capitalism!)
The lyrics to K's Choice's song "America" discuss the idea of America as a symbol of freedom and success, but also the struggles and flaws that come with that image. The opening lines, "Where freedom is no myth, where you hold on to it," suggest that America is a place where people believe in their ability to achieve freedom and success. However, the metaphor of an eagle in a cage suggests that this freedom is limited, and there are restrictions or limitations that prevent people from truly being free.
The verse continues with the idea that despite these limitations, America and its people will rise and fall like the sun, which suggests resilience and a determination to overcome obstacles. The second verse touches on the idea of the American dream, with the line "you worked hard to get on top." However, the following lines suggest that this dream comes at a cost, with the pressure to succeed and the desire for material things.
The chorus brings up the idea of America's reputation in the world, questioning whether it is truly hated everywhere and if Americans are aware of this. The hope mentioned in the lyrics refers to the idea that America can overcome these negative perceptions and that one day the world can share in the success and freedom that America represents.
Overall, the lyrics to "America" are complex and nuanced, exploring both the ideals and the realities of life in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Where freedom is no myth
In America, Freedom is not something invented by people, but something that has always existed.
Where you hold on to it
In America, people hold firmly to their freedom.
An eagle in a cage
America is like an eagle trapped in a cage because although it has freedom, it is not entirely free due to other factors such as regulations and bureaucracy.
That gets on with it's life
Despite being trapped, America continues to move forward and thrive.
And somehow will survive
Despite the challenges, America is resilient and will survive and thrive.
And it will rise and fall
America's fortunes will rise and fall like the sun - it is cyclical and inevitable.
Not unlike the sun
America's fortunes are like the sun - cyclical and inevitable.
You worked hard to get on top
In America, if you work hard, you can succeed and rise to the top.
And there's nothing here to stop you
You can achieve anything in America if you are willing to work hard and persevere.
You show it on T.V.
American television portrays the success and achievements of its people.
Where everyone looks tall
On television, America is portrayed as a place where success is abundant, and everyone looks tall and beautiful.
A prom queen in the mall
The quintessential American high school experience is depicted as the prom queen in the mall.
How she'd kill to get it all
The prom queen would do anything to achieve success and have it all in life.
Don't we all?
Isn't that what we all want in life? To be successful and have it all?
Are you hated everywhere?
Is America disliked all around the world?
Do you know and do you care?
Do Americans know and care about how they are perceived around the world?
Well, I know you're getting there
America is becoming more aware of how it is perceived around the world.
The hope you have is real
The hope Americans have for their future is genuine and achievable.
The hope I hope to feel
The hope the artist has for their own future is to feel the same hope as Americans feel for theirs.
One day we will share it all
One day, everyone around the world can share in America's success and prosperity.
And dive into the waterfall
To jump into the waterfall means to immerse yourself in the freedom and prosperity of America.
America
A song about the resilience and hope of America, and the universal human desire to achieve success.
Contributed by Aiden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.