Each member is originally from Anchorage, Alaska and migrated separately to Portland, Oregon to start a career in music.[7][8]
Initially they called themselves "The Funeral Band", performing in the streets and outside of music venues. The name eventually changed to The Builders and The Butchers, "for no other reason than it was the only name all five members liked."[8] The first year of acoustic performances were mostly street shows until opening for the experimental band Man Man in 2006.[8] “We very slowly started plugging [our instruments] in.” Sollee says,[8] but the group had to figure out how to utilize its two percussionists on stage. They found that by splitting one drum kit between Seely and Rude, with one handling the kick drum and another playing the snare, they developed what the group calls a “deconstructed” drumming style.[8]
The band's song-writing process involves Sollee writing the lyrics out and presenting it to the other members, who then start playing and putting the music around these lyrics.[6]
In May 2008 the band won the Willamette Week’s “Best New Band of 2008”[9] and Seattle Sound’s “Best Live Performers 2008”.
In late 2010, The Builders and the Butchers signed with Badman Recording Co. and released their third album, Dead Reckoning on February 22, 2011.[10][11]
Barcelona
The Builders and the Butchers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And each light and raise a candle
And we covered walls with the colors and with oils
And we put our bare feet upon the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
From the tops of haciendas
Now the Rio is on fire
And a call to join us sings the midnight wire
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
And your brother placed his hands upon your hands
Cleaned your pockets
And closed your eyes
And a white cloud drifts across the dirty sky
And you're breathing
But you're going to die
La de da da da da da da da da da
Paint your front door red and white
Fill your pockets with lead and silver
Now the sea will rise and boil
When we give our bodies to the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
All you see will turn to gold
Everything will turn to gold
The Builders and the Butchers's song "Barcelona" is a haunting track that features a dark story full of vivid and intense imagery. The lyrics are evocative of a sense of impending doom and destruction, setting the tone for the entire song. The opening lines, "Wear a suit of red and white, and each light and raise a candle," sets the scene for a somber setting in which an ominous event is about to take place.
Throughout the song, there are mentions of colors and oils, as well as a specific reference to the red rock soil of Barcelona. This could be interpreted as a symbol of bloodshed or violence, further adding to the palpable sense of danger present in the song. The idea that every child will turn to stone when the sun goes down on Southern Barcelona is a powerful and chilling image, suggesting an irreversible and tragic fate.
The song appears to be about a group of people who are preparing for some kind of rebellion or violent resistance. The lyric "We will sing out to the damned from the tops of haciendas" suggests a group of people who are encouraged to fight against some kind of oppression or inequality. However, despite their passionate and united front, there is an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and fear present in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Wear a suit of red and white
Dress in the colors of Barcelona's flag
And each light and raise a candle
Illuminate and honor the city's spirit
And we covered walls with the colors and with oils
Decorated buildings with vibrant art
And we put our bare feet upon the red rock soil
Connected with the land and its history
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
As darkness falls on this part of the city
Every child will turn to stone
Metaphor for the city's past struggles and hardships
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Again referring to the end of the day in this specific part of Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
Hope for a brighter future to overcome past difficulties
We will sing out to the damned
A call to show unity and strength as a community
From the tops of haciendas
From the highest points of the city and its beautiful buildings
Now the Rio is on fire
Metaphor for current turmoil and unrest in the city
And a call to join us sings the midnight wire
Invitation to come together and overcome challenges
And your brother placed his hands upon your hands
Symbolic gesture of support and connection with loved ones
Cleaned your pockets
Let go of burdens and material possessions
And closed your eyes
Acceptance of the inevitable and peaceful transition
And a white cloud drifts across the dirty sky
Hope for purity and renewal amid the chaos
And you're breathing
Acknowledgment of life and its fragility
But you're going to die
Reminder of mortality and the need to make the most of life
La de da da da da da da da
Repeating the last few lines as a musical refrain
Paint your front door red and white
Further emphasizing the importance of these symbolic colors
Fill your pockets with lead and silver
Be prepared to face challenges with both strength and wealth
Now the sea will rise and boil
Dramatic imagery of impending change and upheaval
When we give our bodies to the red rock soil
Return to the land and history of Barcelona
All you see will turn to gold
Hope that everything, including the challenges, will ultimately lead to a brighter future
Everything will turn to gold
Repeating the final line as a reminder of this hope
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@billwilliamson783
Lyrics
Wear a suit of red and white
And each light and raise a candle
And we covered walls with the colors and with oils
And we put our bare feet upon the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
We will sing out to the damned
From the tops of haciendas
Now the Rio is on fire
And a call to join us sings the midnight wire
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
And your brother placed his hands upon your hands
Cleaned your pockets
And closed your eyes
And a white cloud drifts across the dirty sky
And you're breathing
But you're going to die
La de da da da da da da da da da
Paint your front door red and white
Fill your pockets with lead and silver
Now the sea will rise and boil
When we give our bodies to the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
All you see will turn to gold
Everything will turn to gold
@m41laagQTS
They opened for one of my favorite bands. And the blew my mind
@RollerOfEyes
Also see "the decemberists"
@livingmylifeatmach2
Been listning to this for practically 24 hours straight. Still havn't got tired/annoyed/bored with it. ;) The best song I think I've ever heard! :D :D :D :D
@brittninixt6479
Love love love. I listened to this album for most of my 37 hour backpiece. Painting pictures to take my mind away.
@fekalzrout5977
I love the morbid images this paint before my eyes like every child will turn to stone an we gave our bodies to the redrock soil.
@billwilliamson783
Lyrics
Wear a suit of red and white
And each light and raise a candle
And we covered walls with the colors and with oils
And we put our bare feet upon the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
We will sing out to the damned
From the tops of haciendas
Now the Rio is on fire
And a call to join us sings the midnight wire
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
And your brother placed his hands upon your hands
Cleaned your pockets
And closed your eyes
And a white cloud drifts across the dirty sky
And you're breathing
But you're going to die
La de da da da da da da da da da
Paint your front door red and white
Fill your pockets with lead and silver
Now the sea will rise and boil
When we give our bodies to the red rock soil
When the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Every child will turn to stone
And when the sun goes down on southern Barcelona
Everything will turn to gold
All you see will turn to gold
Everything will turn to gold
@pixelbude
I love this band so much!
@meanwhile9785
I love you.... I fucking love you
@flamepapa7
reminds me of my aunt darci. she took me 2 this concert
@lrojeda
Love these guys since 2009. Come to PUERTO RICO!!!