The band made a breakthrough appearance at the 1999 Noorderslagfestival in Groningen, resulting in lots of record deal offers. Contracted by Sony's S.M.A.R.T. label, they released their first album Till Monkeys Fly in January 2000. Produced by Michael Schoots, former Urban Dance Squad drummer, the album hit the charts receiving nationwide airplay. Both the first single Feel Like Flying and the second one, Blue Days, became a 3FM megahit. Their festival appearances on Parkpop and Lowlands confirmed their image as a live-act.
Summer 2001 Here We Go, Stereo! was released as their second full-length record. Widely acclaimed, this record was their ticket to play at the Netherlands's largest festival: Pinkpop.
While working on their third album, Sony ended the record deal. With help from Dutch radio station 3FM and the producer of their first album, they signed a contract with PIAS, to release their 3rd album early 2005. The fresh and mature sound, combined with a more serious approach on songwriting got Another Day a slow start with Happy Family. The second single Love You More hits hard: they claimed 3rd spot on the Dutch Top 40; the album skyrocketed to 6th position in the Album Charts. A succesful club tour during autumn and winter 2005 resulted in the release of their first live DVD called Another Night. And the fans really found their true love back, voting Racoon to be Pinkpop's Gouden Tip ("Viewers Choice") for 2006, claiming a spot on the mainstage.
After this clubtour they decided to fulfill a long-lasting dream for the bands vocalist (Bart van der Weide) and went on a theatertour all across Holland, with the adition of a keyboardplayer (Manu van Os) and a re-write of most of the songs to slim them down a bit. They blew away most fans with the awsome sounding back to basics tour filled with emotions and a new track called Close Your Eyes.
After the theatertour Manu went on to join Di-rect for their theatertour. Currently the band is recording a new album
Members
- Bart van der Weide (vocals)
- Dennis Huige (guitar)
- Stefan de Kroon (bass)
- Paul Bukkens (drums)
Links
www.racoon.nl
Official fansite
PIAS Nederland
3FM
Rapid Eye Movement
Racoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that don't mean that they suck objectively.
They're fine in some eyes.
In mine, they're better without sound.
Some like the moon half way, others like it round.
Chorus:
Because it's a free world we're living in.
Some say you're crazy, others tell you you're a fool.
Some say you're lazy and you have to learn the rules.
Grow up just like us and we swear you will be cool, well,
Shit I'm a crazy fool cool without your rules,
Because it's a free world we're living in.
So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours.
Falling was against the rules everything is breaking.
Don't you bend or break the rules everyone is mistaken once.
We're mistaken once.
It's a free world we're living in.
But what you say is your opinion, not necessarily mine.
It's a free world we're living in.
So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours.
The lyrics of Racoon’s song “Rapid Eye Movement” express the artist’s personal opinion about the quality of the music by the band Rapid Eye Movement. The opening line “Rapid eye movement bores the shit right out of me” reveals the artist’s distaste for the band’s music, however, the lyric “that don't mean that they suck objectively” conveys that this is merely an opinion and not necessarily a fact. The lines “They're fine in some eyes. In mine, they're better without sound” express that the artist recognizes that others may enjoy the band’s music, but it's simply not their personal preference. The comparison between enjoying the moon halfway or fully rounds out the metaphor for the subjective nature of taste in music.
The chorus “Because it's a free world we're living in. So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours” emphasizes the importance of individual perspectives and opinions. The verses following this state that others may judge the artist for their preferences, but the artist states they are happy being their unique self who doesn’t conform to others’ expectations, even calling themselves a “crazy fool cool without your rules”. The final lines “It's a free world we're living in. So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours” restate the importance of individual opinions and perspectives on the world, and while we may not always agree with each other, it's important to respect and acknowledge them.
Overall, “Rapid Eye Movement” encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and their unique opinions, while still respecting others’ perspectives, recognizing that taste in music, like all art, is subjective.
Line by Line Meaning
Rapid eye movement bores the shit right out of me.
I find rapid eye movement uninteresting and unexciting.
But that don't mean that they suck objectively.
However, that does not mean that they objectively suck for everyone.
They're fine in some eyes.
Some people find them enjoyable or acceptable.
In mine, they're better without sound.
Personally, I prefer them without any sound.
Some like the moon half way, others like it round.
Just like personal preferences towards rapid eye movements, some people like the moon in different shapes and phases.
Chorus: Because it's a free world we're living in. So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours.
The world we live in allows for individual opinions. Therefore, my opinions about rapid eye movements, or anything else for that matter, do not have to match up with anyone else's.
Some say you're crazy, others tell you you're a fool.
People will offer their own opinions and judgments about you, which can differ from each other.
Some say you're lazy and you have to learn the rules.
Others might criticize you and suggest that you need to conform to societal norms and expectations.
Grow up just like us and we swear you will be cool, well, Shit I'm a crazy fool cool without your rules,
People often encourage conformity to be accepted, but personally, the artist feels cool and happy without adhering to those rules and conformity.
Falling was against the rules everything is breaking.
Breaking rules has consequences and can lead to things falling or breaking down.
Don't you bend or break the rules everyone is mistaken once.
While it's not advised to break rules, it's also important to note that everyone makes mistakes and exceptions can be made.
We're mistaken once.
We might make mistakes, but we only make them once.
It's a free world we're living in. But what you say is your opinion, not necessarily mine.
While we are entitled to our own opinions because we live in a free world, other people might hold different ones from us.
It's a free world we're living in. So what I say is my opinion, not necessarily yours.
In this free world, what I say represents my opinion and not necessarily reflecting anyone else's thoughts or beliefs.
Contributed by Lauren L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.