The roots of Mando Diao date back to 1995 when Björn Dixgård was a member of a band called Butler. Band members came and went; four years later, the remaining line-up chose to proceed more seriously in their musical efforts. Björn Dixgård and Gustaf Norén locked themselves up in a summer house and spent six months writing songs. The now-renamed band, along with Samuel Giers and Carl-Johan Fogelklou, made their first public performances in the clubs of their hometown Borlänge in 1999. A local writer described them in an article as the best unsigned band he had ever seen. This was soon followed by a record deal with EMI Sweden. In 2002 their first album Bring 'em In was released in Sweden. It contains early demo versions of their songs, partly recorded in the basement of keyboarder Daniel Haglund who left the band later in 2003. In 2003 the album was released internationally, along with their debut single Sheepdog. In 2004, Mats Bjorke officially joined the band to replace Haglund's departure. In the same year, the band is hailed enthusiastically by the music press as one of the most sanguine newcomer bands of the year. The album Hurricane Bar was released in 2005. Their third album, released in Europe and Japan in September, 2006 is called Ode To Ochrasy, which the band say has a "darker" feel, and features the single Long Before Rock 'n' Roll. To promote the release of the album, the band toured Germany, supported by Razorlight and Johnossi. They also supported Dirty pretty things on their tour in England. The album was a big success and they won many prizes in their home country Sweden. Ode To Ochrasy was released in spring 2007 in US and Mando Diao toured the US to promote it.
The band released a new album titled "Never Seen The Light Of Day" on October 24th 2007.
The band supported The Bravery on their 2005 tour, along with Los Angeles band The Colour.
Their songs Down in the Past and The Wildfire (If It Was True) feature on the EA Sports games NHL 2006 and NHL 08 respectively, whilst God Knows features on FIFA 06.
www.mandodiao.com
The Malevolence
Mando Diao Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She tried to hurt in the pouring summer rain
I cut her angle and attacked her heart with soul
It's in her skin, the lack of sin I know
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
When I'm weak she's in the best of moods
She's hanging out with all kinds of strangers with her broken shoes
She's well dressed and behaves like all the rest
She tends to try to unlock my cell but she'll never find my nest
There's no questions like it's understood
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She takes your hand in the jungle by the waterfall
She's not strong! Why? I don't give a damn!
Fool! She's with me, when I don't need sex she's on her bed
How can I loose her when she's all that i ever got?
Behind her window there's a lover who I know I shot
Can you imagine what it's like to be all alone
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She takes your hand in the jungle by the waterfall
The lyrics of "The Malevolence" by Mando Diao convey a complex relationship between two people, with the male narrator expressing conflicting emotions towards his partner. The first verse hints at a difficult argument, with the singer turning off the light because it "bugged" his mind. His partner then attempts to hurt him in the pouring rain, to which he responds by attacking her heart with "soul," suggesting that he is deeply invested in the relationship despite their current conflict. The line "It's in her skin, the lack of sin I know" adds an element of ambiguity: it is unclear whether the singer is admiring his partner's purity or condemning her for not being sinful enough.
The second verse further highlights the complexity of the situation. The singer notes that his partner is "well dressed and behaves like all the rest," suggesting that she conforms to societal standards while he remains unique and authentic. However, he also acknowledges her attempts to "unlock" his "cell," implying that he is closed off emotionally and she is trying to break through. The line "There's no questions like it's understood" adds to the sense of resignation and hopelessness in the relationship.
Overall, "The Malevolence" is a dark and moody song that explores the complexities of human emotion and relationships. The lyrics are open to interpretation and can be read in a variety of ways, making it a haunting and thought-provoking piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I shut the light 'cause it bugged my mind insane
I turned off the lights because it was bothering me too much and driving me crazy.
She tried to hurt in the pouring summer rain
She attempted to cause harm during a heavy rainfall in the summer.
I cut her angle and attacked her heart with soul
I approached her from a different perspective and deeply challenged her emotionally.
It's in her skin, the lack of sin I know
I can sense that she has a pure heart from her demeanor and outward appearance.
She walks she talks she sleeps in the dark
She lives in darkness and keeps to herself most of the time.
She takes your hand in the jungle by the waterfall
She leads you to remote, hidden areas and shows you the beauty of nature.
When I'm weak she's in the best of moods
She is only happy when I am feeling vulnerable or helpless.
She's hanging out with all kinds of strangers with her broken shoes
She spends time with people she doesn't know well despite having little resources.
She tends to try to unlock my cell but she'll never find my nest
She attempts to understand me but will never fully comprehend my true self.
There's no questions like it's understood
We have an unspoken understanding that requires no explanation.
She's not strong! Why? I don't give a damn!
She may not be physically strong, but I couldn't care less.
Fool! She's with me, when I don't need sex she's on her bed
She is always present, even when I don't require physical intimacy.
How can I loose her when she's all that i ever got?
I cannot bear to lose her because she is everything I have.
Behind her window there's a lover who I know I shot
She has a past lover whom I am aware I have caused pain or harmed in some way.
Can you imagine what it's like to be all alone
Could you picture what it's like to have nobody but yourself to rely on?
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.