If indie rock ever makes it in Romania, it’ll be because of The Amsterdams and their relentless pursuit. And because bands like The Dandy Warhols dig them and regard them as the best band in the land. As they make it pretty clear on the MySpace page, they’re here to do more than just rock out; they’re here to “take the cars out of every garage band”. Whatever that means, it sounds good enough to get behind.
Their second studio album, "Electromagnetica", was released on 31 March 2011 and on 1 April as a digital download. The album was partly recorded in Next Dog Studio, and was mastered by Harris Newman, who is also known for his work with Wolf Parade and Arcade Fire. Electromagnetica is produced and mixed by Electric Brother and features Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs), who plays guitar on "This Burial Ground's For Two".
“Sneakers and striped T-Shirts: there¹s some hard strumming going on in the garages of Bucharest. These kids from Romania are highly strung. Thick guitar riffs, each song bringing a darker atmosphere. The Amsterdams are worthy symbols of a spirited, tortured rock scene.”
EuropaVox 2008
DISCOGRAPHY
"Automatic" (EP; 2008)
"Adolessons" (2009)
"Electromagnetica" (2011)
"Winds Apart" (2014)
"Eternity for Dummies" (2016)
Part Of It
The Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make my long run and my room so shine
One moment to all the people I
Used to care about, what do you care about?
I wanted to be a part of it
To make my long run and my room so shine
One moment to all the people I
And I won't say a word
I won't give you love
Twisted as a knife
I will let it slide
My moaning is where the lions are
Within a giant leaf, sleeping on a sofa
My God is the sun and all the clouds
To where the pigs fly, do you thing that pigs fly?
And I won't say a word
I won't give you love
Blinking with both eyes
I will let it slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Uh-uh-ah...
I'm locked up and compelling
Like a suitcase on a train
Let me go down, down
Uh-uh-ah
Floating out of season
There's no summer after spring
It feels like the fall, the fall
Uh-uh-ah
You wrote me like a blank page
Like an old colonial range
Waiting to strike, to strike
Uh-uh-ah
And I won't say a word
I won't give you love
Blinking with both eyes
I will let it slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
The song "Part Of It" by The Amsterdams is a melancholic yet reflective song that portrays the feeling of wanting to belong and feeling stuck in a certain situation. The lyrics "I wanted to be a part of it, to make my long run and my room so shine" suggest a desire to have a meaningful impact and be recognized for it. However, the follow-up question "One moment to all the people I used to care about, what do you care about?" suggests a realization that perhaps the desire to be recognized is ultimately unimportant.
The next verse "My moaning is where the lions are, within a giant leaf, sleeping on a sofa" continues the theme of feeling stuck and powerless. The reference to lions, usually powerful and majestic creatures, being trapped within a giant leaf suggests a feeling of being trapped despite one's potential. The line "My God is the sun and all the clouds" could suggest a sense of spirituality or reliance on nature as a source of guidance. The chorus ("And I won't say a word, I won't give you love, Twisted as a knife, I will let it slide") suggests a resignation to one's situation, accepting that certain things are out of one's control.
Overall, "Part Of It" is a heartfelt and introspective song that explores themes of longing, powerlessness, and acceptance. It's a relatable song for anyone who's ever felt stuck or unsure of their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanted to be a part of it
I desired to belong and contribute to something meaningful
To make my long run and my room so shine
To make my personal path and my space reflect the best version of me
One moment to all the people I
A brief opportunity to connect with those I used to care about
Used to care about, what do you care about?
I am questioning what they prioritize now since we are no longer close
And I won't say a word
I won't vocalize my thoughts or feelings
I won't give you love
I won't express affection for you
Twisted as a knife
Hurtful emotions consume me
I will let it slide
I will allow the negativity to pass without reacting
My moaning is where the lions are
My pain is where strength and power reside
Within a giant leaf, sleeping on a sofa
Finding comfort in unexpected and unconventional places
My God is the sun and all the clouds
Seeing beauty and wonder in nature, finding solace in the universe
To where the pigs fly, do you thing that pigs fly?
Reflecting on impossible scenarios, questioning the validity of hopes and dreams
Blinking with both eyes
Acknowledging the present moment, taking everything in
I'm locked up and compelling
Feeling trapped and mysterious
Like a suitcase on a train
Like baggage being transported to an unknown destination
Let me go down, down
Allow me to sink into my emotions and release my burdens
Floating out of season
Feeling disconnected and out of place
There's no summer after spring
An absence of warmth or hope, despair following a fleeting moment of optimism
It feels like the fall, the fall
A season of transition, a sense of decay and loss
You wrote me like a blank page
I was shaped by your expectations and opinions
Like an old colonial range
A symbol of outdated and oppressive ideas
Waiting to strike, to strike
The potential for an explosive reaction or rebellion
Slide
Allowing negative emotions to pass without resistance
Uh-uh-ah...
A vocalization of emotions, groaning in pain or frustration
Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@evaliaro
partea aia cu "floating out of season, there's no summer after spring, it feels like the fall" e poezie curata.
@miclowan
super, super piesă; obsedantă