Pike, who co-founded the band and wrote many of their early lyrics, died in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on June 3, 2007, drowning in Buzzards Bay shortly after a show in Providence, Rhode Island. The band decided to continue following Pike's death, but have never permanently replaced him and have subsequently had several drummers, including Cameron Wisch (on "The Rhumb Line") and Gabriel Duquette (on "The Orchard").
The released their debut full length album The Rhumb Line in 2008. The band released their second full length album, The Orchard on August 24th, 2010. In February 2012, cellist and keyboardist Alexandra Lawn, an original member of the group, left the band.
www.rarariot.com
Shadowcasting
Ra Ra Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something about the way she calls
I was alone for what I felt that night
Come on, say you were
Sarah's never much for reason
But it's no fair to leave
If the coal is in the ground
Why don't we dig it up like a bull hound?
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I won't
How high will you leave us
Something about the way you call
I worry for the public
I know you feign, you do
Vapor fires on horizon
And the shadow of control
Well if the coal is in the ground
She'll just dig it up like a bull hound
Oh I know, oh I do
Only need
What I want
I own you, oh I do
Only need
What I want
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I won't
Oh, hope that I won't see you anymore
I won't
I only need, oh I do
Only need
What I want
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I won't
Oh, hope that I won't see you anymore
I won't
The lyrics of Ra Ra Riot's "Shadowcasting" depict a story about someone who is struggling to escape from a toxic relationship. The person being addressed in the song clearly has a strong influence over the singer, as emphasized in the repeated question "how long will you listen?". The singer appears to be at the mercy of this person's whims and desires, as symbolized in the line "I worry for the public, I know you feign, you do". The sense of uncertainty and fear is palpable throughout the song, as the singer struggles to escape the control of the other person.
The song's haunting melancholy is further emphasized by the use of vivid imagery, such as "vapor fires on horizon" and "the shadow of control". These images create a sense of foreboding and danger, which intensifies as the song progresses. The singer's determination to break free is evident in lines such as "oh, hope that I don't see you anymore, I won't", which suggests that the singer has finally decided to cut off all ties with the toxic person.
Overall, "Shadowcasting" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of abusive dynamics, and the toll they can take on someone's life. The song's haunting melody and evocative lyrics beautifully capture the sense of fear and uncertainty that comes with such a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
How long will you listen?
I am questioning how long you will pay attention to me.
Something about the way she calls
There's something alluring about the way she speaks.
I was alone for what I felt that night
I felt lonely despite the emotions I had.
Come on, say you were
Tell me that you were here with me.
Sarah's never much for reason
Sarah doesn't prioritize being logical or reasonable.
But it's no fair to leave
It's unjust for someone to abandon others.
If the coal is in the ground
If resources are available, why not use them?
Why don't we dig it up like a bull hound?
Let's retrieve the resources quickly and efficiently.
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I hope to no longer come across you.
How high will you leave us
I wonder how much worse things will become.
I worry for the public
I am concerned about the well-being of society.
I know you feign, you do
I am aware that you pretend in your actions.
Vapor fires on horizon
I see dangerous signs in the distance.
And the shadow of control
The influence of authority looms over us.
Well if the coal is in the ground
If resources are available, why not use them?
She'll just dig it up like a bull hound
She will quickly and efficiently retrieve resources.
Oh I know, oh I do
I am certain of what I know.
Only need
I only require
What I want
Only my wants are necessary to me.
I own you, oh I do
I have control over you.
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I hope to no longer come across you.
Oh, hope that I won't see you anymore
I hope to no longer come across you.
I only need, oh I do
I only need what I desire.
Oh, hope that I don't see you anymore
I hope to no longer come across you.
Oh, hope that I won't see you anymore
I hope to no longer come across you.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexandra Nicole Lawn, Mathieu Jordan Santos, Milo A Bonacci, Rebecca Alexandra Zeller, Wes Miles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cccg10110
Awesome video and song!!!
@JudithFL
Love it! So funny! ♥
@reallyhealee1514
dudes this video is trippy
@user-vk5qk4oh7z
Good music
@olympiassong
I am almost positive when he first dug that hole, he was tall enough to jump out of it... this video is very close to beating out GaGa for creepiness, yes?
@Francis_Gagarin
I don't know how I got here but I'm glad I did.
@Gopslav
*gun to head* what has this world come to? *BAM*
@z0mbieXd0LLz
O____O ....... LOL these guys were definitely on an acid trip when they made this video. really good song though, going on my ipod right now :D
@NameUnknownxx
is this real life..?
@DefHamster
I don't hate the video, but I wish they went with something more traditional for this song.