The band members actually started out as punks drawing some inspiration from Swedish folk music, but gradually the Oi! genre started having a greater influence on their development and around 1997/1998 Perkele became skinheads.
Despite their Swedish origin, perkele—the noun used for the band's name—is, in fact, a Finnish profanity. In a 2003 interview, lead vocalist and founding member Ron Halinoja cited his "roots in Finland" and the word's expressively vulgar nature as the main reasons behind choosing this for the band's name. Perkele claim to be strongly against all kinds of racism, nationalism, fascism, sexism, and homophobia as well as being opposed to hate, war, and environmental pollution. Despite this, in the past their appearance at traditionally left-wing events has caused controversy due to some of their songs featuring lyrical themes of Swedish and Finnish nationalist sentiments. Due to the background of their bassist Chris as an adoptee originally from Sri Lanka, the band have at one point experienced racist abuse from the audience at a concert in Belgium.
My Home
Perkele Lyrics
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And the place where I belong, where I got my home
We got our four seasons, we got our way of life
It's the way I want to live, until the day I die - Until the day I die
Chorus (2x):
I have a lot of memories of places where I have been
But I can't remember that anything is like home
Drinking beer in the summer nights and looking at the views
It's a part of my life, it's a part of my heart
You can't deprive this feeling without killing me - Without killing me
Chorus (2x)
The lyrics of Perkele's song "My Home" express a deep sense of pride and belonging to a particular place. The singer speaks of flying the flag for their football team - an act that signifies a strong sense of community and loyalty. The place they are referring to is their home, the place where they belong and where they have roots. The singer acknowledges the four seasons and their way of life, affirming that this is how they want to live until the day they die. It is clear from the lyrics that this place holds a special importance in their heart, and that they believe that nowhere else can compare to the feeling of being at home.
In the chorus, the singer reflects on their memories of the different places they have been to. While they acknowledge the beauty of these places such as islands, skerries, forests, and fields, they are unable to find anything that compares to their home. The singer speaks of drinking beer on summer nights and looking at the views as a part of their life and heart. The lyrics suggest that anyone attempting to deprive them of this feeling would essentially be killing them.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of a sense of belonging and the deep emotional connection that people have to their homes. The singer is proud of where they come from and the memories they have made there, showing appreciation for the people, traditions, and landscapes that make it their own.
Line by Line Meaning
I fly our flag for our football team
I show my pride and support for my local football team by carrying their flag high
And the place where I belong, where I got my home
This place is where I feel I truly belong and where I have created my home
We got our four seasons, we got our way of life
We experience all four seasons here and our unique way of life sets us apart from other places
It's the way I want to live, until the day I die - Until the day I die
I choose to live my life in this place and I will continue to do so until my last breath
I have a lot of memories of places where I have been
I have traveled to many places and have many memories of them
But I can't remember that anything is like home
Despite my travels, nothing compares to the feeling of being at home in this place
Great islands and skerries, mighty forests and fields
This place is blessed with beautiful nature including islands, rocky islets, vast forests, and rolling fields
Drinking beer in the summer nights and looking at the views
Enjoying a cold beer on warm summer nights while admiring the stunning views is a cherished pastime here
It's a part of my life, it's a part of my heart
This place is not just a physical location, it is an integral part of my identity and essence
You can't deprive this feeling without killing me - Without killing me
To take away this connection I have with my home would be like taking away a part of me that I cannot live without
Contributed by Savannah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.