Arriving in adulthood is a bitter-sweet experience. Abandoned childhood fascinations make way for tough life lessons. But also the hope and potential that comes with taking charge – of both your life and others’.These are the central themes in Nowadays, the second full-length album from Palace Winter.
Having played in bands separately for years, a mutual respect for each other’s styles encouraged them to start writing together. Carl coming from a song-writing background. Caspar, a producer and classically trained pianist. Both, however, appreciate a strong melody, which is evident throughout the atmospheric dark-pop they create.
Their debut single was released in 2015, followed by the EP Medication and in the summer of 2016, their debut album, “Waiting for the World to Turn” had arrived. All released via Copenhagen-based label Tambourhinoceros.
The support that followed was widespread. Number 1 on Hype Machine and overwhelming reviews from heavy hitters like The Guardian, NME and Line of Best Fit. Radio support came from Guy Garvey, Lauren Laverne and Tom Ravenscroft at BBC 6 Music, KCRW, KEXP, Norway’s P3 and Denmark’s P6.
The band have successfully brought their cinematic psych-pop to the stage. With an increasing number of sold out live shows under their belts, fans have not been left disappointed by their hypnotic and mind-blowing live sets.
Having already supported Noel Gallagher and played Guy Garvey’s Meltdown, Roskilde, Green Man, Sziget in Budapest, Latitude and Secret Garden Party, amongst many others, Palace Winter are well placed to blow the roof off 2018.
Empire
Palace Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I'd never be, crying like a parasite
Before it gets too late, I'll deny the pain
Stranger now to me, but tonight you will believe
Tonight I'm gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Breathing in fresh air, see beyond the glare
Killing empathy, when it makes sense to me
Panic comes around, never coming down
Forever calling me, and I'm hiding like a beast
Tonight I'm gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Before it gets too late, you will find escape
Voices calling me, like the lightning through the breeze
Tonight I'm gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Tonight I'm gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
The lyrics of the song Empire by Palace Winter talk about a change in the singer's character; he seems to have lost himself to the point where he cannot recognize himself anymore. The line “the animal in me, died tonight” suggests that he has lost his primal instincts, and in turn, his sense of control over his own life. The singer is struggling, and he wants to escape from the chaos within himself but doesn't know how to do it. The lyrics suggest that he has been brought to tears, and this is not something that he is familiar with - "Thought I'd never be, crying like a parasite." Nonetheless, he refuses to accept the pain and promises to deny it, “Before it gets too late, I’ll deny the pain.”
The song demonstrates a fight for power, with the singer struggling to keep hold of himself. He doesn't want to believe the secrets that he's been keeping, he's waiting for a feeling, running from a notion. The singer seems to be experiencing a mix of emotions - relief that he's still alive and fighting, while also feeling trapped within himself. In the end, he decides to leave everything behind, leave all the secrets, doubts, and chaos. The night will give him the strength he needs to leave it all - “Tonight I’m gonna leave it every little secret never to believe it, walking on a ceiling, waiting on a feeling, running from a notion.”
Line by Line Meaning
The animal in me, died tonight
I feel like something inside of me has died, like an animal. It's gone forever, and I'll never feel the same again.
Thought I'd never be, crying like a parasite
I never thought I would be reduced to tears like this, feeling small and weak like a parasite living off of others.
Before it gets too late, I'll deny the pain
I need to shut out the pain before it takes over completely, and I can't take control anymore.
Stranger now to me, but tonight you will believe
I feel so different now, like a stranger to myself. But tonight, I have the power to make you believe in me again.
Breathing in fresh air, see beyond the glare
I'm taking in a new perspective, trying to see beyond the surface level and find clarity.
Killing empathy, when it makes sense to me
Sometimes it's necessary to turn off my compassion for others if it means protecting myself and my interests.
Panic comes around, never coming down
My anxiety is always lurking around the corner, never fully going away even if I try to ignore it.
Forever calling me, and I'm hiding like a beast
My fears and worries are always calling out to me, and sometimes I feel like a wild animal hiding from them.
Before it gets too late, you will find escape
I hope you can find your own way out of this pain before it's too late and you're trapped forever.
Voices calling me, like the lightning through the breeze
There are always voices in my head, whispering and urging me. They're like a bolt of lightning that cuts through the noise of the world.
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ChorltonM21
If you want to sing it in the shower then here goes
The Animal in me, died tonight
thought I'd never be, crying like a parasite
Before it gets too late, I’ll deny the pain
stranger now to me, but tonight you will believe
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Breathing in fresh air, see beyond the glare
Killing empathy, when it makes sense to me
Panic comes around, never coming down
Forever calling me, and I’m hiding like a beast
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Before it gets too late, you will find escape.
Voices calling me, like the lightning through the breeze.
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
ChorltonM21
If you want to sing it in the shower then here goes
The Animal in me, died tonight
thought I'd never be, crying like a parasite
Before it gets too late, I’ll deny the pain
stranger now to me, but tonight you will believe
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Breathing in fresh air, see beyond the glare
Killing empathy, when it makes sense to me
Panic comes around, never coming down
Forever calling me, and I’m hiding like a beast
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Before it gets too late, you will find escape.
Voices calling me, like the lightning through the breeze.
Tonight I’m gonna leave it
Every little secret
Never to believe it
Walking on a ceiling
Waiting on a feeling
Running from a notion
Tommy
that riff needs to play for about 5 mins straight. that's a once in a lifetime tune that. wowzers. mind blown.
Jonny B'
Beautiful pop song! Wish these kind of tracks ruled the UK top 40 still.
canis65536
Question is; Why don't they?
Jonny B'
canis65536 Has to do with the big music industry labels, pumping out mumble crap rap, stuff that sells loads. I wouldn’t even call it music.
canis65536
I'm not convinced. Why would an industry produce cheesy tawdry pap when there is a huge market for quality imaginative product? That'd be shooting oneself in the foot.
Jonny B'
canis65536 so what music is selling the most units at the moment?
canis65536
It's not a fair comparison. It's selling well because it's all there is, the alternative sells less well because it is less obtainable.
I'm too old now, I wouldn't even know /how/ to buy music. I miss the record shops though.
Lex 01
Heck. I can't stop listening to this song. The riff is that bloody good.
esra moh
Become my favorite song from the first time I listen to it on the radio 💕