Retro Stefson have been named one of the most prominent Icelandic bands to emerge in the 21st century. Retro Stefson released their debut album Montaña exclusively in Iceland in October 2008 and their sophomore album, Kimbabwe, in October 2010 on Kimi Records. The album also became their European debut in May 2011 on the German subsidiary of Vertigo Records.
Low
Retro Stefson Lyrics
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Traeds of their charm
Hard to resist
Deep down below
Low Low Low
And if I'll find
- Queen of her kind
Stays by my side
Stabbed through his spine
Hangs on a hook
Life 'bout to end
Salmon swims 'round
Full twenty pounds
Low Low Low
This is the end
Hal is my friend
Stands on the hill
Salmons were killed
Low Low Low
The lyrics to Retro Stefson's song, "Low," seems to be about the act of fishing and the impact it has on nature. The song opens by urging the listener to "dig deep to learn" about the habits and characteristics ("traits of their charm") of fish in order to understand how to catch them. The singer speaks of the lure of fishing, the difficulty in resisting the pull of the water and the challenge of reeling in a catch. The repeated refrain of "Low Low Low" may represent both the depths of the water being fished and the emotional state of the fisherman.
The second half of the song seems to take a darker turn as the lyrics describe the death of a fish ("stabbed through his spine," "life 'bout to end"). The imagery continues with the mention of a "salmon swim[ming] 'round / full twenty pounds" - a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength of the creatures that are being killed. The final lines of the song ("This is the end / Hal is my friend / Stands on the hill / Salmons were killed") serve to drive home the message that the act of fishing has a real impact on the environment and the creatures that inhabit it.
Overall, "Low" appears to be a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, and the responsibility we have to protect and preserve the natural world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig deep to learn
Investigate thoroughly to gain knowledge
Traeds of their charm
The captivating and alluring aspects of something
Hard to resist
Difficult to refuse or decline
Deep down below
Far beneath the surface or exterior
Low Low Low
Repeated chorus meant to emphasize the feeling of being low, down or depressed
And if I'll find
Contemplating the possibility of finding something or someone
King of his kind
A person who stands out amongst his peers and is highly accomplished
Queen of her kind
A person who is held in high regard amongst her peers and is highly accomplished
Stays by my side
Gives support and guide always as a loyal companion
Stabbed through his spine
A painful backstabbing or betrayal of trust
Hangs on a hook
Lifeless or inanimate object, used here metaphorically
Life 'bout to end
Close to death or near the end of one's life journey
Salmon swims 'round
King and species of the river with amazing strength and endurance
Full twenty pounds
Weighs an impressive 20 pounds, used here metaphorically
This is the end
The finality of something or the end of a journey
Hal is my friend
A person named Hal, who is a friend or acquaintance
Stands on the hill
Metaphorical statement to show Hal is in a place of superiority or authority
Salmons were killed
The deaths of the fish, used metaphorically to indicate the end of something
Contributed by Julia L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.