The band was founded in 2002 by Jonas Reingold, member of The Flower Kings, together with Roine Stolt, Jaime Salazar, Zoltan Csörz, Johan Glössner, Göran Edman, Robert Engstrand, and Tomas Bodin. Their debut album, Entering the Spectra, had in fact been recorded in 2001, and was released on 7th October 2002.
Turn It Up
Karmakanic Lyrics
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We're on the rise
I see it climb
It's like I'm flying, yeah
It doesn't make sense
Why you're hand to mouth
And then we're down
A market crash
A freak attack, yeah
We didn't see it coming
Won't pay it back
Winners
Traders
We'll fix it in our favor
Turn it up
Turn it up
They've given me the right
To pull the strings and make you think it's fine
Turn it up, turn it down,
Call it a crisis
In the red, in the black
Widening the divide
It's a matter of time
Turn it up, turn it down
Make it look random
Buying in, selling out
I shouldn't tell you more
How we've done it before
The greater need
The greater greed
Oh, nothing's free
How could it be
It's gonna take some time
And sacrifice
When money talks
Compassion walks
We're in the shade
Where deals are made
Someone's gonna play
This dirty game
Turn it up, turn it up and turn it down
A bull a bear oh we don't care
Cause either way we're millionaires
It's gonna take some time
And sacrifice
...
The lyrics to Karmakanic's "Turn It Up" discuss the highs and lows of the stock market and the greed that drives it. The song describes the thrill of being on the rise, with the market climbing and the feeling of flying. However, this is juxtaposed with the crash, the falling out, and the freak attacks that come with the unpredictability of the market. The lyrics emphasize the lack of control that investors have once they've put their money in, with winners and traders fixing things in their favor. The manipulation and exploitation of others is repeated in the lines "they've given me the right to pull the strings and make you think it's fine," highlighting the influence that those in power hold over others.
The song also delves into the theme of capitalism and the idea that money talks and compassion walks. The greater the desire for more money, the greater the greed becomes, and the lyrics suggest that no one will get anything for free. It will take time and sacrifice to both obtain wealth and maintain it. The song touches on the feeling of being above the law and those who'll play the "dirty game" of the stock market without any remorse. In conclusion, the lyrics to "Turn It Up" provide commentary on the darker side of the stock market and the greed and manipulation that can occur.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we're high
There are times when our spirits are lifted
We're on the rise
Our fortunes are looking up
I see it climb
I can witness our progress
It's like I'm flying, yeah
I feel elated and carefree
It doesn't make sense
I can't understand why you're struggling
Why you're hand to mouth
Why you're barely making ends meet
And then we're down
But then things take a turn for the worse
A falling out
We experience a disagreement or separation
A market crash
Our finances take a major hit
A freak attack, yeah
Something unexpected happens
We didn't see it coming
We were unprepared for what happened
Won't pay it back
We refuse to take responsibility for our losses
Winners
We are driven to succeed and come out on top
Traders
We engage in buying and selling goods and services
We'll fix it in our favor
We'll do whatever it takes to benefit ourselves
Turn it up
Amplify the situation
They've given me the right
I have been granted the authority
To pull the strings and make you think it's fine
To control the situation and make it seem like everything is okay
Turn it up, turn it down,
Manipulate the situation
Call it a crisis
Create a sense of urgency and panic
In the red, in the black
Some have profits, some have losses
Widening the divide
The gap between the rich and poor is growing
It's a matter of time
It's inevitable
Make it look random
Create the illusion of chance
Buying in, selling out
We are willing to make deals at any cost
I shouldn't tell you more
I'm revealing too much
How we've done it before
Our past actions have been unethical or shady
The greater need
Our greed and desire for more
The greater greed
Our excessive want for things
Oh, nothing's free
There is always a cost or price to pay
How could it be
Why is this the case?
It's gonna take some time
It will require patience
And sacrifice
And giving up something in the process
When money talks
People focus on financial gain
Compassion walks
Being kind or empathetic takes a backseat
We're in the shade
We're working behind the scenes
Where deals are made
Where agreements or contracts are formed
Someone's gonna play
Someone will cheat or manipulate the situation
This dirty game
This unethical or shady business practice
A bull a bear oh we don't care
Regardless of market conditions, we're not worried
Cause either way we're millionaires
Since we benefit either way
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.