During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
After party
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everybody's dancing for you,
But you're just drinking all my Ballantine
And laughing while your lips turn blue.
Your friends are all uptight
And everybody's in an awkward mood,
So you keep drinking all my Ballantine
And laughing while your lips turn blue.
I'm not really planning on coming back
I thought I told you that.
I guess I dreamt I told you that.
The streets are slow and silent
And the backyard is a beat parade.
So, I'm just sweeping up the garbage
While I listen to the songs you play,
Where everybody's trying but they
Just can't get it straight.
So, I'm just sweeping up the garbage
While I whistle all the songs you play.
I keep changing my mind all the time
I hope you think that that's alright.
Yeah, I hope you tell me that that's all right.
So, I'm just slurring in the shade
When the daylight breaks,
And you and me have got it made.
Yeah, I think you and me have got it made.
The song After Party by Kevin Devine is a melancholic and introspective piece that describes the scene of an afterparty, with the singer observing the behavior of a girl he likes. The lyrics convey a sense of detachment and uncertainty, as the singer is not sure whether he wants to be there or not. The girl, in contrast, seems to be enjoying herself, but her behavior is also slightly self-destructive, as she is drinking too much and becoming physically ill. The song is divided into three parts, roughly corresponding to the beginning, middle, and end of the party.
In the first part, the afterparty is "rockin'," but the girl is not really dancing, just drinking the singer's Ballantine beer and laughing "while her lips turn blue." Her friends are "uptight" and everyone is in an "awkward mood," suggesting that the party is not as fun as it might seem. The singer mentions that he is not planning on coming back, but he may have only dreamt of saying this.
The second part of the song describes the post-party scene, with the streets "slow and silent" and the backyard a "beat parade," suggesting that the party has moved outside. The singer is left to clean up the "garbage" while he listens to the songs the girl was playing earlier. He observes that everyone else was "trying but they just can't get it straight," perhaps reflecting on his own feelings of confusion.
The final part of the song is more optimistic, with the singer sitting in the shade and feeling slightly better. He mentions that he keeps changing his mind but hopes that the girl is okay with that. He feels like he and the girl "have got it made," but it's not clear what "it" is.
Line by Line Meaning
The afterparty's rockin', girl,
The party after the main event is lively and exciting.
And everybody's dancing for you,
Everyone is trying to impress and captivate you with their moves.
But you're just drinking all my Ballantine
You are solely focused on drinking my expensive beer.
And laughing while your lips turn blue.
You are carelessly drinking too much and endangering your health.
Your friends are all uptight
The people you associate with are anxious and uncomfortable.
And everybody's in an awkward mood,
The atmosphere is tense and uncomfortable for everyone present.
So you keep drinking all my Ballantine
You continue to drink my precious beer despite everything else going on around you.
I'm not really planning on coming back
I have no intention of returning to this situation or relationship.
I thought I told you that.
I believed I had communicated this to you previously.
I guess I dreamt I told you that.
However, it turns out I only imagined having told you this information.
The streets are slow and silent
The outside world is quiet and peaceful at this moment.
And the backyard is a beat parade.
Meanwhile, the scene in the backyard is a chaotic and noisy mess.
So, I'm just sweeping up the garbage
I am left with the unenviable task of cleaning up the mess left behind after the party.
While I listen to the songs you play,
As I work, I can hear the music you have put on in the background.
Where everybody's trying but they
Despite everyone's best efforts,
Just can't get it straight.
No one seems able to get things right or properly organized.
So, I'm just sweeping up the garbage
Despite the chaos, I am still left cleaning up the rubbish.
While I whistle all the songs you play.
I am still enjoying the music, and find myself humming the tunes while I work.
I keep changing my mind all the time
I am experiencing a great deal of indecision and uncertainty.
I hope you think that that's alright.
I worry that my inconsistency is frustrating or annoying to you.
Yeah, I hope you tell me that that's all right.
I would appreciate reassurance that my wavering thoughts and opinions are not a problem for you.
So, I'm just slurring in the shade
As the day wears on, I am growing increasingly tired and drunk.
When the daylight breaks,
As morning approaches,
And you and me have got it made.
I am hopeful and confident that our relationship is sturdy and secure.
Yeah, I think you and me have got it made.
I truly believe that we are meant to be together and that everything is going to be alright.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY BRACCO, CHRIS BRACCO, JESSE LACEY, KEVIN PATRICK DEVINE, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, MIKE SKINNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind