Th… Read Full Bio ↴Constantines are an indie rock band from Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The band was formed by Steve Lambke, Bryan Webb, Doug MacGregor, and Dallas Wehrle in 1999, following in the wake of the emotional hardcore band Shoulder.
Their style has been described as "art-punk," and they have been compared to a mixture of bands like The Clash, Fugazi, Bruce Springsteen, and Nick Cave. They relocated to London, Ontario and then to Toronto, where in 2001 they released their self-titled first album, which was extremely popular on campus radio and was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album.
In 2002, the original members were joined by keyboardist Evan Gordon, after which they released The Modern Sinner Nervous Man EP in April 2002 on Suicide Squeeze. Gordon left soon afterwards, and was replaced by Will Kidman.
Despite signing an international deal with Sub Pop, the band ensured that their original home, Three Gut, would continue to release their albums in Canada. In 2003 they released the Nighttime Anytime EP, as well as their second full-length, Shine a Light.
In 2005, The Constantines embarked upon a cross-Canada tour with The Weakerthans, called The Rolling Tundra Revue, a feat which is set to be repeated by both acts in 2009.
2005 also saw the release of the band's third full-length release, Tournament of Hearts, which was to be the final Constantines release handled by Three Gut, which folded shortly afterwards. In early 2006, Blue Fog Records released a vinyl only split-album with The Constantines performing four Neil Young covers, while The Unintended did four Gordon Lightfoot songs.
In April 2008, The Constantines released their fourth album Kensington Heights on their new label, Arts & Crafts.
The Constantines' guitarist Steve Lambke has also recorded under the name Baby Eagle, whilst Will Kidman has recorded as Woolly Leaves.
Arizona
The Constantines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that great gospel jest called rock and roll
Some modern spirit
Wounded and sober
Here's the hunger of a generation
And another ritual surrender
Arizone 1983
Saying "We must not hang our hats
Upon a dream"
As long as we are lonely
We will dance
As long as we are dying
We want the death of rock and roll
In my hands
A hymn of dispossession
In my head
I'm hearing love songs
I'm going to run my tongue
Over the body of the nation
I'm going to sing sing sing
To all the dirty little engines
As long as we are lonely
We will dance
As long as we are dying
We want the death of rock and roll
We don't want no confederates
We want deliverance
We don't want no saints
We want the death of rock and roll
This is the music of the minions
This sound is a terminal condition
The Constantines's song, "Arizona," is a poetic and passionate tribute to the death of Danny Rapp, the lead singer of the rock and roll group, Danny & the Juniors, who committed suicide in 1983 in a motel room in Arizona. The lyrics speak to the enduring power of rock and roll, and the way it captures the restless, rebellious spirit of youth, even as it remains a "terminal condition." The song describes the ways in which this music has shaped the desires and dreams of an entire generation, and how it serves as a kind of spiritual sustenance for those who feel disconnected, lonely, and disillusioned with the world.
The lyrics are full of vivid and striking images, suggesting both the beauty and the darkness of the rock and roll ethos. The singer explores the "hunger of a generation" and the "ritual surrender" that characterizes the rock and roll lifestyle. He speaks of the way the music has become a kind of religion for those who are searching for meaning and purpose in a world that seems indifferent to their struggles. Ultimately, however, the song is a powerful invocation of the transformative power of music, and the way it can inspire hope even in the face of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a song about the death of Danny Rapp
The Constantines are singing about the passing of Danny Rapp and the consequential shift in rock and roll music.
And that great gospel jest called rock and roll
They further emphasize that rock and roll music has evolved and taken on a religious, gospel-like quality.
Some modern spirit
There is a newer generation of individuals with a contemporized mindset.
Wounded and sober
These individuals have been hurt and evince a somber disposition.
Here's the hunger of a generation
This younger generation has a strong desire for change and betterment.
And another ritual surrender
After making progress, they seem to fall back into their old ways.
Another motel voice
They hear someone else on the radio- a voice that's coming from a motel room.
Arizone 1983
The year and location of where they are located and hearing this voice.
Saying "We must not hang our hats upon a dream"
The individual on the radio is advising that they must not give in to idle fantasies or ideas that may lead to dissatisfaction.
As long as we are lonely
Being alone and without meaningful connections will lead to the following behavior.
We will dance
People will continue to seek enjoyment and pleasure in moments of loneliness beforehand.
As long as we are dying
People nearing the end of their lives will have a certain perspective and desires.
We want the death of rock and roll
Rock and roll music has perhaps lost its pizzazz and does not speak to their needs anymore.
In my hands
The Constantines are currently holding something.
A hymn of dispossession
The object they're holding represents relinquishing control or power.
In my head
There exists something in their mind, outside of what they're currently holding.
I'm hearing love songs
They're tuned into something more positive and uplifting.
I'm going to run my tongue
They're about to engage in something that represents power or control.
Over the body of the nation
This activity they're engaging in is something that incorporates aspects of America; its progress and people.
I'm going to sing sing sing
The Constantines are consistently setting out to do things that'll affect others in a positive way.
To all the dirty little engines
This is directed to those that may have been ignored; the smaller, less important parts of society.
We don't want no confederates
They have no desire for those espousing divisive, harmful beliefs.
We want deliverance
They desire solutions that'll create a better world for all, particularly those whose voices have been silenced.
We don't want no saints
They also have no faith in those who are touted as perfect, particularly ones whose impact on the world may be divisive.
This is the music of the minions
The type of music they're creating is for the people who've been left behind or forgotten by the larger parts of society.
This sound is a terminal condition
The Constantines are perhaps making music that is deemed by some to be harmful or contagious.
Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC
Written by: BRYAN WEBB, DALLAS WEHRLE, DOUG MACGREGOR, STEVEN LAMBKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@2wheeled76
Probably 15yrs since seeing them at this point. Still one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live. Their albums were so good.
@Retroscoop
So it is about Danny Rapp from Danny & The Juniors, who had a big hit with "At the hop" in 1958, and unfortunately enough commited suicide far too young. Sad story.
@A1leejack
Only 553 Views......really
@jimometry
The Keyboards ruined what you had.. The bass, Guitars, Drums and Vocals were the best of your band. The vision was admirable.. the dependancy on the keys was horrible. Yes I see the spelling error on dependancy.. but jesus.. you'd have been so much better without the keyboard..