The psychedelic insanity can be traced back to their college roots, when the guys were the go-to band for dunkin‘ dorm rooms and sonic exploration. In 2012 Rare Monk teamed up with noted producer Skyler Norwood (Blind Pilot, Horsefeathers, Talkdemonic) for their self-released EP, ‘Death By Proxy’. The giddy pop thrill of the title track and the funky, slow burn of “Underground” act as the band's mission statement, and according to Dorian, “Is pretty genuine. I think the important thing here is not to try and fit a compartmentalized soundscape, or to try and be different from everyone else; the importance lies in doing what you are passionate about. Passion is genuine.”
In 2014 Rare Monk release a limited edition 7” AA-side single with new songs “Splice” and “Sleep/Attack” via B3SCI Records. The release was recorded and produced late Summer 2013 in Los Angeles at Wax LTD Studios by Wally Gagel (Best Coast, Muse, Family Of The Year, Folk Implosion). The songs showcase the next frontier for a band who venture toward a lauded career, capturing the sheer energy of an incredible live show, and bridging a sound for the masses with that of music appreciation.
Underground
Rare Monk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We watch, yeah we wait
We contemplate your demise
We've waited for so long
And our emotion's lost so
()
(wait for the call
wait for the moonlight
and the stars above)
Up in the clouds
I watch, yeah I wait
I contemplate as your heart breaks
I've waited for so long
And my emotion's lost so
()
(wait for the call
wait for the moonlight
and the stars above)
Back on the ground
You act, you awake
You dictate all that your heart takes
You've waited all year long
Till your emotions burst out
()
(end)
The song "Underground" by Rare Monk delves into the complex themes of patience, revenge and destruction. The first stanza talks about waiting for someone's demise, in a way that suggests that the singer has been waiting for a long time, and has become disconnected from their emotions - perhaps as a result of them being in a state of heightened anticipation for so long. The second stanza describes the singer's position, watching the events unfold from above and waiting as the person's heart breaks. The final stanza talks about the person waking up and making decisions with their heart - a reference that suggests they may not be making rational choices.
The repetition of the phrase "wait for the call, wait for the moonlight, and the stars above" throughout the song adds to the sense of patient anticipation, while the repeated line "we've waited for so long and our emotion's lost so" reinforces that the singer has been anticipating something for an extended period of time. The imagery in the song is quite powerful too, with the "deep underground" opening painting a picture of a secret operation going on, while the line "up in the clouds" conjures an image of being above everything and watching from afar.
Overall, "Underground" is a haunting and evocative song that speaks to the intensity of our emotions, and how they can sometimes drive us to act in ways that we normally wouldn't.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep underground
We are hidden and deep beneath the surface
We watch, yeah we wait
We observe and remain patient
We contemplate your demise
We consider and foresee your downfall
We've waited for so long
We have been anticipating this moment for a lengthy period
And our emotion's lost so
Our feelings have become diminished and hard to comprehend
()
We wait for the signal to commence action
(wait for the call
wait for the moonlight
and the stars above)
We anticipate the perfect moment to arise, with the guidance of the heavens
Up in the clouds
I am high above, looking down
I watch, yeah I wait
I observe and remain patient
I contemplate as your heart breaks
I consider and observe as you emotionally deteriorate
I've waited for so long
I have been waiting for this moment to occur for a lengthy period
And my emotion's lost so
My feelings have become diminished and hard to comprehend
()
I wait for the signal to commence action
(wait for the call
wait for the moonlight
and the stars above)
I anticipate the perfect moment to arise, with the guidance of the heavens
Back on the ground
You are present and visible
You act, you awake
You are responsive and conscious
You dictate all that your heart takes
You make all the decisions based on your emotions
You've waited all year long
You have been preparing and anticipating this moment for an entire year
Till your emotions burst out
Until your feelings reach a tipping point and overflow
()
The end of the song
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
qwertzui0001
Hehe, death by proxy :) Love your music. It sounds in a way original and it's really hard to get that sound nowadays.
Marie Krueger
LOVE