The band was was formed in Seattle and named after The Smiths song of the same name (which itself was named after a quote from Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums). Andrea Zollo and Derek Fudesco had played together previously in The Hookers, as well as The Death Wish Kids and Area 51 along with Dann Gallucci, with whom Derek had formed The Murder City Devils. Not long before the The Murder City Devils disbanded, Derek and Andrea formed Pretty Girls Make Graves along with Jay Clark, Nick Dewitt and Nathan Thelen. They played the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2004.
Pitchfork Media announced that the band was breaking up on 29 January 2007. Their final two shows were 9 June 2007, in Seattle.
The band released their first EP on Dim Mak before releasing their debut album Good Health on Lookout Records in April 2002. The band would later sign to Matador records where they released The New Romance. Guitarist Nathan Thelen left Pretty Girls Make Graves in March of 2004 and Leona Marrs (formerly of Hint Hint) joined as a multi-instrumentalist. On January 29, 2007 the band announced that Nick had left the band and their May 2007 tour would be their last.
parade
Pretty Girls Make Graves Lyrics
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Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Of what we are doing with what we've got
Been meetin' on the front lawn
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Are you okay with what you've got?
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're marchin' from the shipyards
We're marchin' from the hospitals
We'll take you to the town hall
We'll take you to the capital
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
The song "Parade" by Pretty Girls Make Graves is a rallying cry for workers' rights and social justice. The opening lines set the scene of a small group of people gathering in various locations - the back room, front lawn, break room, and parking lot. These people are discussing their dissatisfaction with the system and the need for change. They are tired of their labor and unrest going unnoticed and unrecognized. The refrain "are you okay with what you've got?" speaks to the idea that nobody should be complacent with a system that doesn't work for them.
As the song progresses, the group grows larger and more passionate. They are no longer content with simply talking about the need for change - they are ready to take action. They are throwing down their push brooms, hanging up their apron ties and marching towards the capital. The repetition of "strike" emphasizes the idea that this is a movement - a collective effort to demand justice and equality.
The final lines of the song - "we're coming from the back roads, out of the fields and the factory lines" - underscores the idea that this movement is not limited to a single group. It's a call to unite and fight for change together.
Overall, "Parade" by Pretty Girls Make Graves is a powerful song about the struggles faced by workers and the need for collective action to create a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
Been meetin' in the back room
We have been discussing and strategizing in secret, away from prying eyes.
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
We have been congregating together to plan and prepare for the next steps in our cause.
Been talkin' in the break room
We have been using our breaks at work to discuss the labor issues and unrest we are feeling.
Of what we are doing with what we've got
We are discussing what actions to take with the limited resources we have, to make a change.
Been meetin' on the front lawn
We have been meeting in more public areas to be more visible and show our strength in numbers.
Been talkin' in the break room
We continue to use our work breaks to talk about the injustices and need for action.
Of labor and unrest and eyeing the clock
We are discussing the issues we face at work, and the pressing need to take action before it's too late.
Are you okay with what you've got?
We are questioning whether we should accept the current conditions we are working under or demand change.
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We will no longer accept working under unfair conditions, and are ready to take a stand.
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We are refusing to continue our work under oppressive conditions, and are ready to make a change.
We're comin' from the back roads
Our movement is made up of everyday folks from rural areas.
Out of the fields and the factory lines
Our group is made up of people who have been exploited in the labor force.
Tell your brother and your sister
Our cause needs to be spread to as many people as possible.
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
We need everyone and anyone on our side to create real change.
We're marchin' from the shipyards
Our movement is coming from all areas of industry, making our message even more powerful.
We're marchin' from the hospitals
Even those in the healthcare field are feeling the pressure and we are in solidarity with them.
We'll take you to the town hall
We are pushing for systemic change that only government bodies can implement.
We'll take you to the capital
We are not afraid to show our strength on a national stage.
Strike!
We will use any means necessary to make our message heard.
We walked so far
We have been fighting for so long, but the end is not in sight quite yet.
But we can walk all night
Our spirit will not be broken or deterred by any obstacle that comes our way.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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