2.) A garage rock band fr… Read Full Bio ↴1.) A doo-wop group from Louisville, Kentucky.
2.) A garage rock band from Michigan active in the mid-'90s on Bulb Records.
3.) A garage rock band from Sydney, Australia active in the '90s.
4.) Music comes not from lesson or rote but the open soul. Celeste Griffin, the Monarchs lead singer, began her music education in the piano at age eight. It lasted less than a year. It was fifteen years later, on a sultry afternoon in Alabama, when Celeste again laid her untrained hands to her mother’s piano and stumbled upon her first song, Notes of Disease. The pot began to boil and Celeste yielded to the flame. Three years later Griffin’s recognized ability to whisper southern family secrets and belt the grief of lost love has landed her at the biggest venues in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
Griffin's music is her own. It is dripping with thickly woven emotion, a personal testimony to a collective memory that bonds family, friends, and lovers. Monarchs blurs the genre lines, grazing soul, folk, rock, and southern boogie in any given song. Her voice is powerful and poetic, chords resonating in a distinctly Alabaman tune. With the occasional 'Roll Tide!' interspersing applause and her charming southern drawl coating song break commentary, its hard to forget Griffin's southern roots.
Monarchs' first two albums glow with soft sunshine, intimate portraits of a young woman finding musical inspiration in the laughter of her friends, the lazy flight of Birmingham fireflies, and the joy of youthful optimism.
Her first album, The Oak EP, was recorded in 2008 on a four-track tape recorder in a women's bathhouse on an abandoned industrial site outside of Birmingham. Produced by Taylor Hollingsworth of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, the release came a mere six months after that sultry June afternoon. Those Words, Those Frames was recorded in Birmingham in 2009, in an old grocery store repurposed into a music studio.
Griffin moved Monarchs to Austin in 2008 to study Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas. Its no fluke that Griffin wrote her Master's thesis on the repurposing of old buildings into spaces promoting art, community, and economic development. She has put her faith in art as a uniting force, the point at which community and place intersect.
For Griffin, music is family. The gravity of family plays an integral role in Griffin's songwriting, songs often telling the story of great relatives that lived before her. The name Monarchs is itself derived from the dysfunctional and regal duality of royal families, the idea that we are all queens, kings, and members of the family that embodies our unified existence. The Monarchs project has been a success carried on the shoulders of many, with friends and family collaborating to assemble the creative, mosaic whole.
This past summer, Monarchs recorded its first full length LP with producer and friend Mike McCarthy, producer of Patty Griffin, Spoon, and Heartless Bastards. Titled The Rise and Fall, the album holds major advancements in writing and production quality. Longtime friend and Swiss Army musician Van Hollingsworth, credited for his central role in the development of Monarchs and its unique sound, currently plays on guitar. Alongside him are band members Phil Aijarpu on bass and Josh Halpern on drums. Rise and Fall is slated to be released in July 2011.
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learn about monarchs: http://monarchsfamily.com
Go! Go! Go!
Monarchs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a new one right beside me yeah
Rip the chopsticks out the pack
Pour that soy sauce that black
We getting green like wasabi yeah
Said we get big and not no mac
Said we up and now thats facts
My whole gang be moving tac
Ain't no lazy ain't no slack
Cause I know that we tryna body yeah
Yeah you gotta go gang
Tryna slide down on somebody save your soul gang
All that talking man I swear it's getting old gang
And you not like that but say that they can't hold gang
You getting bold gang
See you paid
Get money out the way
Just wanna see them stay
If I see you on the street swear to God won't let you lay
We need to move back up
Only parking that's valet
I know it seems hard now
Promise we gone find our way
They tryna put hits on me and I won't see about it
They tryna put hits on me I promise that I doubt it
I don't got no enemies so I'm really not pouting
Moving like it's 10 of me I always stay surrounded
They just wanna put put that fear in me
Look up in my eyes there's no tear in me
They gone turn me up they not hearing me
Y'all not coming close y'all not nearing me
2 AM stuck inna trap house
Told myself I ain't gon let down
Been getting paper I step out
Don't fuck with that hoe used to hate me
Think bout my past on the daily
Doubting my self on the lately
Grinding so they can see me on the stage
Remember the times they clowned me to my face
Went OT for some change, i needed a change
The same reason you up
Is the same reason you fall
Everyday i put my all
That's the reason i ball
If i want it I got
She turned my heart so cold
Some might pray to God
But some pray on your demise
Watch what you day dont try
I can see right through your lies
Everyday I put my all
Everyday I put my all
They asking for my all so I only give the best
On the phone all night doing calls I don't ever get no rest
Always grouping me together always saying y'all I don't like that test
I keep thinking bout the feeling I remember pain surging down my chest
Remember the feeling it hurt me though
It's ok I just been learning though
Had to get up once you turned me though
Head in the stove and it burned me though
Told you not to lack
No you can't come back
I got a new one right beside me yeah
Rip the chopsticks out the pack
Pour that soy sauce that black
We getting green like wasabi yeah
Said we get big and not no mac
Said we up and now thats facts
We riding around in Kawasakis yeah
My whole gang be moving tac
Ain't no lazy ain't no slack
Cause I know that we tryna body yeah
The lyrics of Monarchs's song "Go! Go! Go!" convey a sense of determination, resilience, and a desire for success. The opening lines, "No you can't come back, I got a new one right beside me," suggest the singer's determination to move forward and leave behind whatever is holding them back. They are embracing new opportunities and relationships.
The reference to rip the chopsticks out the pack and pour that black soy sauce symbolizes a mindset of embracing diversity and different experiences. It implies a willingness to fully immerse themselves in their endeavors, just like mixing different flavors in a meal to create something unique. The line "we getting green like wasabi" further emphasizes the ambition for success, as green is often associated with growth and prosperity.
The following lines highlight the artist's confidence and assertion of their achievements. They claim to be "big" and "up," indicating they are making progress and gaining recognition. Riding around on Kawasakis suggests a sense of freedom and excitement, symbolizing their ability to move forward with speed and agility. The mention of "moving tac" and not being lazy or slack shows their commitment and work ethic towards achieving their goals.
The chorus reflects a sense of resilience against those who doubt and criticize them. It states that they need to "go gang" and ignore negativity, choosing to focus on their own path instead. The repetition of "tryna" implies their determination to keep pushing forward despite obstacles. They emphasize the importance of taking action and not just talking, suggesting that actions speak louder than words.
The lyrics also address the artist's personal growth and evolution. They mention "thinking bout my past on the daily" and doubting themselves, but also highlight their progress and grind to be seen on stage. This demonstrates their resilience and determination to overcome past doubts and obstacles and achieve their dreams.
Overall, the lyrics of "Go! Go! Go!" show an artist who is determined to succeed, willing to embrace new experiences, and unwavering in their pursuit of their goals. They reject negativity and embrace resilience, demonstrating their commitment to their craft and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
No you can't come back
There is no opportunity for you to return.
I got a new one right beside me yeah
I have found someone new to be with.
Rip the chopsticks out the pack
Open the package of chopsticks forcefully.
Pour that soy sauce that black
Add dark soy sauce to the dish.
We getting green like wasabi yeah
We are becoming successful and making money.
Said we get big and not no mac
We are becoming famous and successful, not just pretending.
Said we up and now thats facts
We have risen to a higher position, and it is true.
We riding around in Kawasakis yeah
We are driving around on Kawasaki motorcycles.
My whole gang be moving tac
My entire group is operating tactically.
Ain't no lazy ain't no slack
We are not lazy or slack in our efforts.
Cause I know that we tryna body yeah
Because I know that we are trying to accomplish something significant.
Yeah you gotta go gang
Yes, you have to leave, my friend.
Tryna slide down on somebody save your soul gang
Attempting to deceive someone to protect yourself.
All that talking man I swear it's getting old gang
All the excessive talking is becoming tiresome.
And you not like that but say that they can't hold gang
You are not truly skilled, but you claim that no one can defeat you.
You getting bold gang
You are becoming more daring and audacious.
See you paid
I notice that you are well-off financially.
Get money out the way
Ensure that finances don't hinder our goals.
Just wanna see them stay
We simply desire to witness their success.
If I see you on the street swear to God won't let you lay
If I encounter you in public, I promise I won't let you suffer.
We need to move back up
We must regain a higher position.
Only parking that's valet
Only using valet parking.
I know it seems hard now
I am aware that it appears challenging at the moment.
Promise we gone find our way
I assure you, we will discover a path forward.
They tryna put hits on me and I won't see about it
They are attempting to harm me, but I won't concern myself with it.
They tryna put hits on me I promise that I doubt it
They claim they want to harm me, but I sincerely doubt their intentions.
I don't got no enemies so I'm really not pouting
I don't have any enemies, so I am not sulking or feeling upset.
Moving like it's 10 of me I always stay surrounded
I operate as if there are ten versions of me, always maintaining a strong support system.
They just wanna put put that fear in me
They only desire to instill fear in me.
Look up in my eyes there's no tear in me
When you look into my eyes, you won't find any tears.
They gone turn me up they not hearing me
They will amplify my presence because they are not paying attention to me.
Y'all not coming close y'all not nearing me
You all are not getting near me or reaching my level.
2 AM stuck inna trap house
At 2 AM, I am trapped in a house associated with illicit activities.
Told myself I ain't gon let down
I made a promise to myself that I won't disappoint.
Been getting paper I step out
I have been earning money, and now I am going out.
Don't fuck with that hoe used to hate me
I don't associate with the person who used to dislike me.
Think bout my past on the daily
I frequently reflect on my past experiences.
Doubting my self on the lately
Lately, I have been questioning myself and having doubts.
Grinding so they can see me on the stage
Working hard so that others can witness me performing on stage.
Remember the times they clowned me to my face
I recall the instances when they ridiculed me directly.
Went OT for some change, i needed a change
I traveled out of town to pursue change because I needed it.
The same reason you up
You are up for the same reason.
Is the same reason you fall
Is the same reason you will fail.
Everyday i put my all
Every day, I give my utmost effort.
That's the reason i ball
That is why I excel and succeed.
If i want it I got
If I desire something, I can obtain it.
She turned my heart so cold
She caused my heart to become emotionally distant and unfeeling.
Some might pray to God
Some individuals might seek help from God.
But some pray on your demise
But others pray for your downfall and failure.
Watch what you day dont try
Be cautious about what you say, don't test me.
I can see right through your lies
I can easily perceive your falsehoods and deception.
They asking for my all so I only give the best
They demand my complete effort, so I only deliver the highest quality.
On the phone all night doing calls I don't ever get no rest
I spend the entire night making phone calls without getting any rest.
Always grouping me together always saying y'all I don't like that test
They consistently associate me with a group and always refer to us using the term 'y'all,' which I dislike.
I keep thinking bout the feeling I remember pain surging down my chest
I constantly dwell on the sensation of pain that used to consume my chest.
Remember the feeling it hurt me though
I remember the feeling of pain even though it hurt me.
It's ok I just been learning though
It's alright, I have been continuously learning from my experiences.
Had to get up once you turned me though
I had to rise up after you betrayed me.
Head in the stove and it burned me though
I metaphorically placed my head in the fire, and it caused me harm.
Told you not to lack
I warned you not to be unprepared.
No you can't come back
You are not allowed to return.
I got a new one right beside me yeah
I have someone new with me now.
Rip the chopsticks out the pack
Aggressively remove the chopsticks from their packaging.
Pour that soy sauce that black
Pour the black-colored soy sauce.
We getting green like wasabi yeah
We are becoming prosperous and successful, just like green wasabi.
Said we get big and not no mac
We are growing and becoming significant, not just pretending.
Said we up and now thats facts
We have risen to a higher level, and it is true.
We riding around in Kawasakis yeah
We are driving around on Kawasaki motorcycles.
My whole gang be moving tac
My entire group moves tactically and with strategy.
Ain't no lazy ain't no slack
We are not lazy and do not slack in our efforts.
Cause I know that we tryna body yeah
Because I know that we are trying to achieve great things.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Cairo Musa, Monarch Angel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DeathStarJanitor
One of the best songs I've heard in my life. Just know that your music, your voice, still reaches out and inspires.
@treflipsnare31
Beautiful vocal. Thank you for sharing.