After first earning notice thanks to a series of acclaimed European festival appearances during the summer of 1999, the twosome signed to American label Kindercore to issue their lovely eponymous debut the following spring. Quiet Is the New Loud was issued in early 2001 on Astralwerks. The album used many of the same tracks from the Kindercore release but re-ordered them and replaced a few with newer songs. The remix album Versus followed later in the year and featured remixes by artists as diverse as Ladytron, avid Whitaker and Four Tet. After a three year layoff during which Øye recorded a solo album, 2003's Unrest, and gained some reknown as an electronica DJ while Bøe worked on finishing up his psychology degree, the pair teamed up again for the recording and release of 2004's Riot on an Empty Street.
After a 5 year layoff, the band released Declaration Of Dependence on October 20, 2009 on Astralwerks in the US and Virgin Records in the UK.
Erlend Øye has released some solo material and is also a member of The Whitest Boy Alive.
Eirik Glambek Bøe is also a member of a second band, Kommode. The Whitest Boy Alive and Kommode toured together this year for a short period.
Riot on an Empty Street
Kings of Convenience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh my, mysterious country singer?" she asked
My life, it's a riot
I'm climbing barricades
In empty streets at night
When I'm down
Twenty-five postcards
In a box in my room
Telephone conversations
Gas slowly leaking out
Of a heart-shaped balloon
It's a dangerous game
That I'm not sure
If I could keep playing for long
It's a dangerous game
It's a very fine line
And if one step is wrong
I have no cards to play
And that's why
I've got nothing to say
Tonight
I've got nothing to say
Tonight
The opening lines of "Riot on an Empty Street" by Kings of Convenience are filled with mystery and introspection. The female voice wonders why the male singer is so quiet and muses on his persona, describing him as a "mysterious country singer." The male singer then proceeds to describe his own life as a "riot," where he's constantly fighting against shadows and climbing barricades in empty streets at night. The loneliness and struggle of the male singer is palpable, as he further describes his life with twenty-five postcards in a box and gas slowly leaking out of a heart-shaped balloon.
The second verse starts off with the male singer acknowledging the danger of the game he's playing. He's not sure how long he can keep it up and how much longer he can walk the fine line without collapsing. The imagery of not having any cards to play further reinforces the sense of isolation and desperation the singer feels. He wraps up the verse by saying he's got nothing to say tonight, underscoring the sense of defeat he feels.
Overall, "Riot on an Empty Street" paints a stark picture of a person in the midst of a personal struggle. The sense of isolation and the feeling of being trapped in a dangerous game are haunting and evocative. The song is a powerful and emotional journey and offers a glimpse into the inner sanctum of the singer's mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Why, why so quiet?
The singer is questioning why there is a lack of noise or communication.
Oh my, mysterious country singer?" she asked
The singer is being asked about someone who is perceived as having an enigmatic or remote persona.
My life, it's a riot
The singer's life is chaotic and disruptive.
I'm climbing barricades
The artist is overcoming obstacles.
In empty streets at night
The artist is confronting challenges when there is little activity and support.
When I'm down
During times of adversity.
Fighting shadows
Trying to deal with something intangible or illusory.
Twenty-five postcards
A collection of messages from other people.
In a box in my room
A physical location where the messages are stored.
Telephone conversations
Interactions with others, potentially from a distance.
Gas slowly leaking out
Emotions slowly dissipating and evaporating.
Of a heart-shaped balloon
From a symbol of love and affection that is losing its appeal.
It's a dangerous game
The situation or path that is being pursued is risky and could result in negative outcomes.
That I'm not sure
Uncertainty about the singer's ability to handle the situation.
If I could keep playing for long
Whether the singer can continue dealing with the challenges for an extended period of time.
It's a very fine line
The actions or decisions that need to be made are difficult to discern or navigate.
And if one step is wrong
If a mistake is made.
I have no cards to play
The singer has no options or solutions to use in the situation.
And that's why
The reason for the singer's lack of response or communication.
I've got nothing to say
The artist has nothing to contribute or offer at this time.
Tonight
At this specific moment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EIRIK GLAMBEK BOE, ERLEND OTRE OEYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind