In its earlier days, the band had duel vocals performed by De Marrais and Fischer; later, De Marrais would become the lead vocalist in the majority of their songs. The band's many tours and intimate live shows at venues such as Brooklyn's Northsix (now Music Hall of Williamsburg), Washington, D.C.'s The Black Cat, Bowery Ballroom in NYC, and Chapel Hill's Cat's Cradle helped to grow its fan base and fuel album sales.
On November 6, 2006, the band announced, through Pitchfork Media, that the December 16th show at New York City's Bowery Ballroom would be their last. They played one more show on December 17th at Northsix, which De Marrais referred to as "home" because it also served as the band's rehearsal space.
The band reformed in 2014 with a reunion show at Bowery Ballroom on December 31. Additional shows were added for February 14 and April 18, 2015 at Lincoln Hall in Chicago and Union Transfer in Philadelphia, respectively.
In 2017 the band released S/T, their first album in 11 years.
Ceremony
Rainer Maria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
eyelids are shining with headache and perspiration
morning is finding good intentions under sleep's persuasion
the body has got to be...
our past lives were too heavy and too expensive
now we're paying together for our inventions
maybe there's a ceremony
written down inside the body
you begin like a lion and you end like a lamb
molars are grinding inspiration down to nothing
where are the instructions
on how to keep it going?
the body...
a patient motor in secret is whirring
binding together what was broken
with the heart's string
to have without keeping
to sigh without boredom
to know without thinking
and to love without ever knowing
maybe there's a ceremony
written down inside the body
where maybe no one ever sees
The lyrics of "Ceremony" by Rainer Maria highlight the importance of taking care of one's body, with the belief that there might be a hidden ceremony inside it that no one ever sees. The song starts with the lines "the body has got to be worth saving," indicating that taking care of one's body should be a top priority. The singer then goes on to describe the physical challenges of waking up with a headache and perspiration, suggesting that the body needs to be taken care of more than ever in those moments. The song seems to be addressing someone who has been reckless with their body, referring to their past as "too heavy and too expensive," reminding them that they are now paying for their past actions.
The lyrics then suggest that maybe there is a hidden ceremony inside the body, one that no one ever sees. The singer highlights the importance of having qualities such as love and knowledge, without ever knowing or thinking about it. The body is referred to as a "patient motor," suggesting that it is constantly working and striving to keep everything together, even when it is broken. The song concludes with the lines "maybe there's a ceremony written down inside the body where maybe no one ever sees," indicating that there is something sacred inside the body that needs to be protected and valued.
Line by Line Meaning
the body has got to be worth saving
The singer values the body's importance and relevance in their life
eyelids are shining with headache and perspiration
The singer is physically exhausted and struggling
morning is finding good intentions under sleep's persuasion
The singer believes that they can start each day with renewed vigor and positive intentions
the body has got to be...
Reiteration of the importance of the body
our past lives were too heavy and too expensive
The artist regrets their past and the choices they've made. They feel weighed down by their experiences.
now we're paying together for our inventions
The singer believes that they are reaping the consequences of their actions, whether positive or negative, with those around them
maybe there's a ceremony
The singer suggests the possibility of a meaningful ritual, which could help with understanding and accepting the past
written down inside the body
The artist believes that the answers to their problems could be found within themselves
where maybe no one ever sees
The artist acknowledges that these solutions might not be visible to others
you begin like a lion and you end like a lamb
An analogy that describes the cyclical nature of life's experiences and hardships. It highlights the importance of humbleness and understanding that even after success comes adversity.
molars are grinding inspiration down to nothing
The singer recognizes the difficulty of maintaining inspiration and creativity, especially in the face of adversity.
where are the instructions on how to keep it going?
The artist is searching for guidance or advice to help them sustain motivation and positivity.
the body...
The singer once again emphasizes the importance of the body
a patient motor in secret is whirring
The singer recognizes the unconscious, almost unacknowledged drive inside them to keep pushing forward
binding together what was broken with the heart's string
The singer believes that their heart is the compass that can drive them back together when they have fallen apart
to have without keeping
The artist seems to recognize that sometimes, we must accept what we are given without trying to control and possess it.
to sigh without boredom
The artist recognizes the tension between the desire for excitement and the importance of embracing a quiet, contented peace.
to know without thinking
The importance of trusting one's intuition and doing what feels right in the moment.
and to love without ever knowing
The realization that sometimes love defies logic, explanation or definition.
maybe there's a ceremony written down inside the body where maybe no one ever sees
Restated belief in the existence of a personal ritual or solution that is known only to the artist
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ms. Anthropic Pixie Dream Girl
Great song!
jason butler
man one of my favs. Brings back memories... I miss Rainer Maria....