In the fall of 2003, Stockholm based Strip Music performed their first live show and one year later they released their debut self-titled album, containing 10 songs in less than 45 magical minutes. Strip Music received praise in the crème of Swedish press including Sonic Magazine, Dagens Nyheter and Zero Music Magazine. The album provided an opportunity for Strip Music to travel internationally and perform live in England, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
Two years later it is time for their follow-up album, with the ambiguous title Hollywood & Wolfman. The big dramatic sound is still intact but this time Strip Music have become even more personal in their musical expression. Hollywood & Wolfman is bigger and darker than our debut album, singer/lyricist Henric de la Cour states. This record might not be as easy to embrace, but it grows and grows on you with every listen. It is well worth it in the long run.
Many of the songs are lacking traditional song structures but rely on the distinctive atmosphere and mood created. Strip Musics biggest asset is still to achieve music sounding like a thunder storm while at the same time being soft like a gentle breeze. It is like their music lives within its own little universe. Our music is not connected to any passing music trend or style, declares Henric. It is built upon timeless themes.
Hollywood & Wolfman is the sound of something so unusual as a band that paves its own way. Strip Music is a group who dares to listen to nothing else other than their private inner voices. Strip Music follows their very own convictions. In a music climate that is more and more streamlined and slick, Strip Music stand out in their very own way, due to the fact that they are true to themselves. They are willing to point out that the world they live in is not perfect and yet still beautiful and even if it will not get any better than this it is still ok. Perhaps the most important thing is for one to learn and live with it.
Pelle Olofsson, September 2006
Invasion
Strip Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't stop screamin'
Starring to the mirror
Disaster stares back
I can't tell where I am
And where it begins
If I decide to stay
Learn to look at myself in a different way
Before I'm totally drained of love
And even seen and not hurt
Hear me now
There are things to say
We can talk to each other in a quiet way
About how fucked up we feel inside
And the silence that we fill with our lives
Oh here it comes
Another invasion of guilt
I will lie down on my back
There'll be no counterattack
Infected again
Oh an insect again
So what happens when
You can't stop screamin'
I will stay in here
If I decide to stay
Learn to look at myself in a different way
Before I'm totally drained of love
And even seen and not hurt
Hear me now
There are things to say
We could talk to each other in a quiet way
About how fucked up we feel inside
And the silence that we fill with our lives
The lyrics of Invasion by Strip Music presents a narrative of an individual who is struggling with their thoughts and emotions. The opening lines, "what happens when you can't stop screaming, staring to the mirror, disaster stares back," paints a picture of someone who is feeling lost and stuck in their own head with their thoughts and feelings taking over. The person is searching for clarity but is unable to find it. The following verses, "I will stay in here if I decide to stay, learn to look at myself in a different way, before I'm totally drained of love and even seen and not hurt," suggest that the person is contemplating their existence and desire to stay in their current state. They yearn to look at themselves differently before they become unable to keep going.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "hear me now, there are things to say," emphasizing the urge to communicate with others. The individual is asking to speak to someone in a "quiet way" to discuss their inner struggles and the fact that they feel "fucked up" inside. The line "the silence that we fill with our lives" suggests that many people may be going through the same struggles, but they choose to keep silent rather than reaching out to others.
The last two verses, "Oh, here it comes, another invasion of guilt, I will lie down on my back, there'll be no counterattack. Infected again, oh an insect again, so what happens when you can't stop screaming," convey the sense of hopelessness and despair that the person feels. The individual is being "infected again" with their insecurities and negative feelings, and they have no way of fighting back. The song ends on the same note of uncertainty, with the singer still grappling with their inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
What happens when
The onset of a situation is being questioned.
You can't stop screamin'
Being overwhelmed and unable to keep distressing emotions within oneself.
Starring to the mirror
Looking at oneself in reflection.
Disaster stares back
Seeing chaos and negative aspects in oneself.
I can't tell where I am
Feeling lost and unsure of one's situation.
And where it begins
Finding it difficult to determine the root cause of the problem.
I will stay in here
Choosing to remain in one's current mental state and not seek help.
If I decide to stay
Despite feeling overwhelmed, the decision to remain in the current state is still a choice.
Learn to look at myself in a different way
Attempting to change one's perspective when analyzing oneself.
Before I'm totally drained of love
Trying to resolve internal conflicts before love and positive emotions are completely drained.
And even seen and not hurt
Wanting to be able to cope with problems internally without involving others or hurting oneself in the process.
Hear me now
A plea to be listened to.
There are things to say
Things that need to be expressed and discussed.
We can talk to each other in a quiet way
Having a conversation with someone with minimal disturbances and distractions.
About how fucked up we feel inside
Discussing the struggles and turmoil within oneself.
And the silence that we fill with our lives
Reflecting on the emptiness and lack of communication in one's life.
Oh here it comes
A feeling of dread and anticipation of something negative approaching.
Another invasion of guilt
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by guilt once again.
I will lie down on my back
Giving up and allowing negative emotions to consume oneself.
There'll be no counterattack
Choosing not to fight and defend oneself against negative emotions.
Infected again
Being affected by negative emotions once more.
Oh an insect again
Feeling small and helpless against negative emotions.
So what happens when
Continuing to question the outcome of the current situation.
You can't stop screamin'
Being overwhelmed and unable to keep distressing emotions within oneself.
I will stay in here
Choosing to remain in one's current mental state and not seek help.
If I decide to stay
Despite feeling overwhelmed, the decision to remain in the current state is still a choice.
Learn to look at myself in a different way
Attempting to change one's perspective when analyzing oneself.
Before I'm totally drained of love
Trying to resolve internal conflicts before love and positive emotions are completely drained.
And even seen and not hurt
Wanting to be able to cope with problems internally without involving others or hurting oneself in the process.
Hear me now
A plea to be listened to.
There are things to say
Things that need to be expressed and discussed.
We could talk to each other in a quiet way
Having a conversation with someone with minimal disturbances and distractions.
About how fucked up we feel inside
Discussing the struggles and turmoil within oneself.
And the silence that we fill with our lives
Reflecting on the emptiness and lack of communication in one's life.
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.