Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came", uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which hundreds of thousands of people died.
In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered six- and twelve-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.
On 12 December 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, of Death Cab for Cutie fame, in April 2006. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, and their first major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed. The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, with The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on 17 October 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.
In July 2007 the Decemberists set out on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On 7 July, the tour put the group on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, and they were joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On 15 July the group performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then played a free concert in Chicago, Ilinois, at the recently developed Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In September 2007 they also played at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2007, they began The Long and Short of It Tour. However, having completed the European portion of the tour and immediately after playing the Chicago dates, the rest of the tour was canceled due to illness.
On 24 March 2009, the band released The Hazards of Love, their fifth album. The album's first single, "The Rake's Song", was made available for free on the band's website. The album featured guest appearances from My Brightest Diamond, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Robyn Hitchcock and Jim James. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200.
On 11 January 2011, the band released their sixth album The King is Dead. The band released the first single "Down by the Water" for free on their website. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States and is the highest charting album in the band's career. The second single, "This Is Why We Fight" was released on January 25, 2011.
There is another band with the same name:
(2). The Decemberists formed in Liverpool in 1984 when Andy Ford and Tom Gent from Swim Naked hooked up with Colin Pennington, who had just left The Tunnel Users. They played their first show at The Cavern in 1985 and then played extensively in their home city. After recording demo tapes which attracted attention from BBC Radio 1's John Peel and Rough Trade Records, they secured a residency at University Of London Union (ULU). Their first release was James Is (Still The Same) on the Discreet Campaigns compilation cassette tape alongside New Order and Cocteau Twins. After the appearance of Gift Horse on the Ways To Wear Coats compilation LP in 1987, the band changed their name to Hellfire Sermons.
James Is (Still The Same) was included on The Sound Of Leamington Spa Volume 6 in 2009. They are listed as ‘The Decemberists Of Liverpool 1985-87’ on this album to make a distinction from the famous 21st century group of the same name.
Better Not Wake the Baby
The Decemberists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singin' like a painted lady
Use your skull like a cannon ball
But it better not wake the baby
How long will this go on?
How long will it be?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
Make you moan of your lot in life
Spit your mind half crazy
Gouge your eyes for the better?
But it better not wake the baby
How long will this go on?
How long will it be?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby
Drown yourself in crocodile tears
Curse the god what made thee
Find a way for your banner years
But it better not wake the baby
How long will this go on?
How long will it be?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby
How long will this go on?
How long will it be?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the, better not wake the, better not wake the baby
The Decemberists' "Better Not Wake the Baby" is a contemplative song about the consequences of one's actions and how they affect others. The opening verse of the song sets a whimsical tone with the reference to a "giggle hole" in the hallway wall and singing like a "painted lady." However, the focus shifts to the refrain of the song, "But it better not wake the baby," which becomes a warning to oneself or others about the consequences of their actions. The repeated lines of "how long will this go on" and "bang your drum till the money's all gone" suggest a cycle of behavior that leads to regret and implications for future generations. The intensity of the final verse, which includes drowning oneself in "crocodile tears" and cursing the god who made us, emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
One interpretation of the song is that the baby represents the future and the desire to ensure that our actions do not have negative consequences for generations to come. The use of hyperbole in lines such as "use your skull like a cannon ball" and "gouge your eyes for the better" emphasizes the urgency of this message. Additionally, the use of the phrase "banner years" in the final verse suggests the desire for a legacy and the importance of making choices that will have positive, lasting effects.
Line by Line Meaning
Giggle hole in the hallway wall
A small opening in the wall that could lead to laughter or silliness
Singin' like a painted lady
Singing beautifully and smoothly like a stylish woman
Use your skull like a cannon ball
Being reckless with your actions or words, without thinking of the consequences
But it better not wake the baby
As long as it doesn't disturb or wake the baby in the room
How long will this go on?
How much longer will the situation or behavior persist?
How long will it be?
How much longer will the situation or behavior last?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
Keep doing something until you have no more resources left
Make you moan of your lot in life
Complaining about your situation in life and feeling sorry for yourself
Spit your mind half crazy
Speaking your mind without any filter, even if it leads to madness
Gouge your eyes for the better?
Sacrificing something for the sake of improvement, such as losing something in exchange for gaining something else
Drown yourself in crocodile tears
Crying fake tears for sympathy or attention
Curse the god what made thee
Blaming a higher power for your problems
Find a way for your banner years
Looking for a way to relive or recapture your glory days
But it better not wake the baby
As long as it doesn't disturb or wake the baby in the room
How long will this go on?
How much longer will the situation or behavior persist?
How long will it be?
How much longer will the situation or behavior last?
Bang your drum till the money's all gone
Keep doing something until you have no more resources left
But it better not wake the baby
As long as it doesn't disturb or wake the baby in the room
But it better not wake the, better not wake the, better not wake the baby
The repeated emphasis on not waking the baby is the main message of the song, emphasizing that all actions and behaviors should be done in a responsible and considerate manner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN MELOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind