The five-piece met as teenagers in Jönköping, Sweden, a town whose only distinguishing feature is its 52 churches. In October 1992, bonded by their mutual love of hard rock and folk music (they listed Nick Drake and Iron Maiden as their two biggest influences by 1994), guitarist Peter Svensson and bassist Magnus Sveningsson conceived The Cardigans. As their hometown was hardly a Mecca of musical enterprise, the group packed up and moved to the somewhat more central fishing port of Malmö, Sweden's third largest city, to seek their fortune. With Peter writing most of the music and the band as a whole composing the lyrics, the quintet set out to find a deal.
After an early recording of "Rise & Shine" appeared on a local independent label in 1994, The Cardigans were swiftly signed to Stockholm Records. The same year the band made their debut for the label with Emmerdale and later won the accolade of "Best Album of 1994" from Slitz, at the time Sweden's leading music magazine. The rise of The Cardigans has since been gradual, allowing them the time to develop naturally as their sales and positive exposure grew with each release. Their second long-player, Life, which followed in 1995, featured the hit singles "Carnival" and the re-recorded "Rise & Shine", and witnessed the band's first international chart success. Prior to the First Band on the Moon album in September 1996, The Cardigans released "Lovefool". Although the first response to the single was very positive and landed them in the Top 40, it achieved nowhere near the impact that awaited it the following Spring.
It was in 1997 that The Cardigans were first catapulted towards international superstardom. "Lovefool"'s inclusion on the blockbuster Romeo and Juliet film soundtrack that Spring pushed them past the boiling point. The single not only reached No. 1 on both the United Kingdom and United States airplay charts but also debuted at No. 2 on the United Kingdom national chart, where it remained top five for five weeks. All in all, the album reached more than 2.5 million sales worldwide, achieving Platinum status in the United States and Japan, but only achieving Gold in the United Kingdom. The promotional activities supporting the worldwide success of "Lovefool" and First Band On The Moon were never ending. The band not only performed a year long world tour complete with endless radio sessions and press and television interviews, but even ended up making guest appearances on Beverly Hills 90210 and the David Letterman Show.
It was because of the sheer exhaustion resulting from such a schedule, that The Cardigans since took some well deserved time off at home in Malmö to recuperate their artistic juices and write new material. During their time off, however, the band was by no means dormant. In the beginning of 1999 they contributed a new track, "War", to the A Life Less Ordinary soundtrack, a live recording of "Been It" to the Lilith Fair compilation and "Deuce", featured on The X-Files: The Album, an X-Files soundtrack album. Their break also included experimentation with various solo projects.
In June 1998, the group, who are very loyal to their roots, once again joined long-time producer Tore Johansson at his studio, Country Hell, located beside the picturesque Svaneholm Castle in Malmö and recorded the album, Gran Turismo.
The first single "My Favourite Game", was a major hit in many territories. The video for "My Favourite Game" was directed by Jonas Åkerlund. The song was also included in the soundtrack of the hit Playstation racing game, Gran Turismo 2, were it was the intro theme. The second single "Erase/Rewind" was released in January 1999, and this single also turned out to be a major hit around the world.
Gran Turismo reached more than 2.5 million sales worldwide.
The album Long Gone Before Daylight was released in February 2003 and from the album the singles "For What It's Worth" and "You're The Storm" were taken. The album received great reviews and the band spent most of 2003 touring Europe and North America.
In Fall 2005, the band released, Super Extra Gravity.
Official site: http://www.cardigans.com
Don't Blame Your Daughter
The Cardigans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's just sentimental
And don't blame your mum
For all that you've done wrong
Your daddy's is not guilty
You came out a little faulty
And the factory closed
So you can't hold them liable
You're cutting diamonds
With a rubber knife
Your autograph's is worthless
So don't send me letters
And don't mail me cash
'Cause your money is no good
What's left in your mattress
Is holes and lack of love left
Some hair from a horse
And none of it is yours, man
You come from an island
You're cutting diamonds
With a rubbery knife
And the song you sing today
Wasn't always in your head
The words you try to say
Are the ones you should've said
They're glistening like diamonds
Go out and find them
But don't blame your daughter
Read me your tombstone
Tell me you're sorry
Fax me your will
You owe me something still
Blood is like water
The bath that you poured me
Has drained and is gone
Don't blame it on your son
And the song you sing today
Wasn't always in your head
The words you try to say
Are the ones you should've said
They're glistening like diamonds
Go out and find them, boy!
The world is full of diamonds
Go out and find them
But don't blame your daughter
The Cardigans' "Don't Blame Your Daughter" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that cautions against blaming one's family for one's shortcomings. The lyrics encourage the listener to take responsibility for their own actions, despite any limitations or challenges presented to them by their upbringing. The song presents the idea that blaming others, particularly one's family, is sentimental and unhelpful, and ultimately perpetuates a cycle of negativity.
The first verse specifically addresses the listener's relationship with their parents. The lines "Don't blame your daughter / That's just sentimental / And don't blame your mum / For all that you've done wrong" challenge the idea that one's family is responsible for one's actions. The line "Your daddy's not guilty / You came out a little faulty / And the factory closed / So you can't hold them liable" suggests that the listener's faults are not the fault of their parents, but rather a result of their own inherent flaws or circumstances outside of their parents' control.
The second verse shifts to address the listener's personal possessions and financial situation, with the lines "Your autograph's worthless / So don't send me letters / And don't mail me cash / 'Cause your money is no good." This verse further emphasizes the idea that material possessions and money cannot replace or fix the problems caused by one's upbringing or personal flaws. The lines "What's left in your mattress / Is holes and lack of love left / Some hair from a horse / And none of it is yours, man" suggest a sense of disconnection from the listener's own personal belongings, highlighting the theme of personal responsibility and the idea that material possessions are ultimately meaningless.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't blame your daughter
Don't hold your daughter responsible for anything done wrong or faulty.
That's just sentimental
The feeling of blaming your daughter is just based on emotions.
And don't blame your mum
Do not accuse your mother for your mistakes.
For all that you've done wrong
Don't consider your mom responsible for all the wrong things you’ve done.
Your daddy's not guilty
Your father is not guilty of any wrongdoing.
You came out a little faulty
You had some defects when you were born.
And the factory closed
Your factory or source for development and growth is no longer available.
So you can't hold them liable
You cannot blame or demand accountability from anyone for your circumstances.
You come from an island
You come from a place of isolation or detachment.
You're cutting diamonds
You are refining yourself and finding value through difficult circumstances.
With a rubber knife
You are making progress, but not with the most efficient means or tools.
Your autograph's is worthless
Your signature or mark is of no value.
So don't send me letters
There is nothing of worth or significance you have to offer.
And don't mail me cash
Your money is of no use or value.
'Cause your money is no good
Your funds are not beneficial or useful in any way.
What's left in your mattress
The only things you have left are the lowest quality or value items.
Is holes and lack of love left
All you have left in your possession are gaps and deficiencies of love.
Some hair from a horse
The only thing you can offer is hair from an animal.
And none of it is yours, man
You do not truly own or possess anything significant.
And the song you sing today
The music you’re producing right now or the actions you’re taking.
Wasn't always in your head
These activities you engage in have not always been a part of your plans or intentions.
The words you try to say
The mutual feelings or thoughts you want to express.
Are the ones you should've said
You should have willingly expressed those thoughts or emotions earlier.
They're glistening like diamonds
These thoughts or emotions are valuable and worth paying attention to.
Go out and find them
You should persevere and seek out these valuable insights.
But don't blame your daughter
However, do not accuse or blame your daughter for the difficult circumstances or struggles you face.
Read me your tombstone
Give me your final words or sentiment.
Tell me you're sorry
Confess and apologize for any wrongdoings you committed.
Fax me your will
Show me your intentions for the future.
You owe me something still
You still have something left to offer or fulfill.
Blood is like water
Family connections can sometimes be weak or lacking.
The bath that you poured me
The experiences you’ve given me.
Has drained and is gone
Those experiences are not capable of being retrieved or repeated.
Don't blame it on your son
Do not hold your son responsible for any negative circumstances or experiences.
The world is full of diamonds
The world is full of opportunities and valuable insights.
Go out and find them
Go out into the world and seek those valuable insights and opportunities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NATHAN LARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Artylandia
Don't blame your daughter, that's just sentimental
And don't blame your mom for all that you've done wrong
Your dad is not guilty, you came out a little faulty
And the factory closed, so you can't hold them liable
You come from an island, you're cutting diamonds with a rubbery knife
Your autograph's worthless, so don't send me letters
And don't mail me cash cause your money is no good
What's left in your mattress is holes and lack of love left
Some hair from a horse and none of it is yours, man
You come from an island, you're cutting diamonds with a rubbery knife
And the song you sing today wasn't always in your head
The words you're trying to say are the ones you shouldn't have said
They're glistening like diamonds, go out and find 'em
But don't blame your daughter
Read me your tombstone, tell me you're sorry
Fax me your will, you owe me something still
Blood is like water, the bath that you poured me
Has drained and it's gone, don't blame it on your son
And the song you sing today wasn't always in your head
The words you're trying to say are the ones you shouldn't have said
They're glistening like diamonds, go out and find 'em
For him
The world is full of diamonds, go out and find 'em
But don't blame your daughter
Kiekko 67
Killer song, killer band.
I hope that they will return.
Same as Atomic Swing,
also from Sweden.
Check them out!
Oh, Nina had the side project,
“A Camp”, with Niclas Frisk
from Atomic Swing, so there’s
a funny connection.
Best Swedish bands, easily.
Both in my all time top 10!!!
Love from Finland! ❤️
Shimbo Satélite
Don't blame your daughter
That's just sentimental
And don't blame your mum
For all that you've done wrong
Your daddy's is not guilty
You came out a little faulty
And the factory closed
So you can't hold them liable
You come from an island
You're cutting diamonds
With a rubber knife
Your autograph's is worthless
So don't send me letters
And don't mail me cash
'Cause your money is no good
What's left in your mattress
Is holes and lack of love left
Some hair from a horse
And none of it is yours, man
You come from an island
You're cutting diamonds
With a rubbery knife
And the song you sing today
Wasn't always in your head
The words you try to say
Are the ones you should've said
They're glistening like diamonds
Go out and find them
But don't blame your daughter
Read me your tombstone
Tell me you're sorry
Fax me your will
You owe me something still
Blood is like water
The bath that you poured me
Has drained and is gone
Don't blame it on your son
And the song you sing today
Wasn't always in your head
The words you try to say
Are the ones you should've said
They're glistening like diamonds
Go out and find them, boy!
The world is full of diamonds
Go out and find them
But don't blame your daughter
Semerah Padi
My sister won The Cardigans cassette back then from a newspaper's contest. That's how I first introduced to The Cardigans. Their music is great, different from what I heard in radio. Mysterious vibe., pretty voice.
ZAHIRA_♧
SIAP
Delson Galasinao
The cardigans are great even Many people says they are underrated.their music help my mental health this pandemic.
Milen 4ever
Прав прав прав
Carl Bateman
A piece of absolute musical genius, utterly beautiful. I saw them play this in Manchester 2 days ago, one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Such an awesome, but sadly very underrated band..
Rick Mcquillis
I love this group, especially Nina❣️ you are definitely underrated, but will always be my favorite for all time.❤️
Segal231
just listening to Nina's voice gives me goosebumps... such a magical singer. And a great band! Love them.
Milen 4ever
Люблю что любит жизнь во всех ее проявлениях
José Ricardo
Just to say that I luv this song from the bottom of my heart. Nina always rocks!
Mortis
Indeed