With his longtime band Scissor Sisters on a semi-permanent hiatus after 201… Read Full Bio ↴With his longtime band Scissor Sisters on a semi-permanent hiatus after 2012’s “Magic Hour” and accompanying tour, Derek “Del Marquis” Gruen faced a predicament when it came to determining the direction of his latest solo project. Would he release his latest album as Del Marquis, a follow-up to a quartet of EPs he released between 2008 and 2009, or pursue another direction?

After collaborating over a two-year period with musicians like Rod Thomas (a.k.a. Bright Light Bright Light), Xaxier, Mykal Kilgore, former Scissor Sister members Chrissi Poland and Bridget Barkan and members of Prince’s New Power Generation in between world tours, Gruen eventually compiled what became a new project called Slow Knights, whose debut album “Cosmos” was released Mar. 26 on iTunes and through the band’s website on limited edition vinyl.

The album is rooted more in futuristic, 80s-evoking funk pop, a departure from Gruen’s work as Del Marquis, which fuses a more familiar Scissor Sisters dance sound with elements of early albums from groups like Everything But The Girl and Style Council. Vocals are handled by a rotating cast of characters, including Xavier, Poland, Barkan, Thomas and Gruen, who takes the lead on “Legendary Children” but largely stays on the sidelines for the album’s nine other cuts, giving the album the feel of a semi-obscure compilation you’d find advertised in an old issue of NME.

Speak
Slow Knights Lyrics

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Action speaks louder, bang of the drum.
Sound of momentum, pulling me in.
No need for speaking, do what you feel.
Turn up the speaker, let it begin.

Let it begin to speak, let it begin to speak.
Words aren't enough for me,
I've got to say it with a beat.

Let it begin to speak, let it begin to speak.
Body to body, let the music give you what you need,
let it being to speak.

Why are we talking? Turn out the light.
Don't interrupt, don't trouble the night.
Put the heat on me, set me a-flame.
I feel your heartbeat, let it begin.

Let it begin to speak, let it begin to speak.
Words aren't enough for me, I've got to say it with a beat.
Let it begin to speak, let it begin to speak.

Body to body, let the music give you what you need.
Let it being to speak.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Slow Knights' "Speak" speak to the power of music and physical connection over words. The opening lines, "Action speaks louder, bang of the drum. Sound of momentum, pulling me in," set the stage for a song that celebrates the power of visceral experience over intellectual discourse. The singer urges listeners to "do what you feel" and let the music take over, rather than relying on "words" to convey meaning. The repetition of the refrain, "Let it begin to speak," reinforces this message, suggesting that the truest form of communication happens when we allow ourselves to be moved by the beat and the rhythm of the music.

The second verse reinforces this theme, urging the listener to "put the heat on me" and "set me a-flame." The physicality of the language makes clear that the singer is interested in more than just a verbal conversation; they want to feel a connection with their partner that transcends words. The repetition of the refrain, "Body to body, let the music give you what you need," underscores this point, suggesting that true intimacy lies in shared experience rather than verbal communication.

Overall, the lyrics of "Speak" suggest that music has the power to connect us in ways that words cannot. The message is clear: let the beat speak for itself, and let your body be your guide.

Line by Line Meaning

Action speaks louder, bang of the drum.
The power of action and movement is often more impactful than words. The sound of the drums' rhythm creates a feeling of momentum that draws you in.

Sound of momentum, pulling me in.
The pulsating beat creates a feeling of excitement and energy that draws me towards it.

No need for speaking, do what you feel.
Sometimes, words fail to express what we truly mean. Trust your instincts and let your actions speak for themselves.

Turn up the speaker, let it begin.
Crank up the volume and let the music take control. This is where the real fun and excitement begin.

Let it begin to speak, let it begin to speak.
Allow the music to take over and express what words cannot.

Words aren't enough for me, I've got to say it with a beat.
Sometimes words just don't cut it. I need the beat of the music to truly express how I feel.

Body to body, let the music give you what you need, let it being to speak.
Let the music connect us on a deeper level, allowing our bodies to move together and the beat to speak what words cannot.

Why are we talking? Turn out the light.
Sometimes words get in the way, creating unnecessary distractions. Let's silence the chatter and focus on the music and each other.

Don't interrupt, don't trouble the night.
Let's not spoil the mood or take away from the pure enjoyment that the music brings us.

Put the heat on me, set me a-flame.
Allow the music and the energy it brings to ignite and consume us. Let it move through us, setting us ablaze with passion and excitement.

I feel your heartbeat, let it begin.
Let the music connect us on a deeper level, allowing us to feel each other's energy and rhythm. Let it begin and take us away.

Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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