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.
The Wanting Comes in Waves
The Decemberists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soft disturbance in the dead-fall how
It proceeds you like a black smoke pall
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you delivered me from danger then
Pulled my cradle from the reedy glen
Swore to save me from the world of men
In waves
And waves
And the wanting comes in waves
And the wanting comes in waves
And I want this night
And I want this night
Oh
How I made you
I wrought you, I pulled you
From war I labored you
From cancer I cradled you
And now
This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid
Remember when I found you
The miseries that hounded you
And I gave you motion
Anointed with lotions
And now
This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid
Mother hear this proposition right
Grant me freedom to enjoy this night
And I'll return to you at break of light
For the wanting comes in waves
And waves
And waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you owe me life
And you owe me life
And if I grant you this favor to hand you
Your life for the evening
I will retake by morning
And so
Consider it your debt repaid
Consider it your debt repaid
Repaid
Repaid
The Decemberists's "The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid" is a story of a debt owed and repaid, between a mother and child. The lyrics are a conversation between the two, with the child addressing the mother's past protections and the mother asking for recompense. The first verse starts with the child hearing the mother's footsteps, and describes how the sense of the mother's presence still hangs over them like a cloud. They acknowledge the way that the mother has saved them from harm, from the "world of men," but despite this, they cannot help the wanting that comes in waves. The next verse is the mother's response, with her calling attention to how she has tirelessly cared for the child, from cancer and war, and how she deserves something in return. She reminisces how she found the child in a time of misery and brought them to their current existence.
In the final part of the song, the mother asks for a favor, for the freedom to enjoy one night. The child agrees but warns the mother that they will take back their life when morning comes. The song ends with the mother acknowledging that the debt has been repaid.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother I can hear your foot-fall now
I am aware of your presence, mother.
Soft disturbance in the dead-fall how
I can sense your quiet approach through the forest.
It proceeds you like a black smoke pall
Your looming presence is heavy and suffocating, like a dark cloud.
Still the wanting comes in waves
I am still plagued by a strong desire for something.
And you delivered me from danger then
You protected me and kept me safe in troubled times in the past.
Pulled my cradle from the reedy glen
You saved me from harm as a helpless infant hidden in the tall grass.
Swore to save me from the world of men
You made a promise to protect me from the harsh realities of the human world.
And I want this night
I have a specific desire for tonight.
How I made you
I am responsible for your creation and existence.
I wrought you, I pulled you
I carefully crafted and shaped you to be who you are.
From war I labored you
I worked hard and sacrificed greatly to keep you safe from violence and conflict.
From cancer I cradled you
I lovingly cared for you through your battle with illness and supported you every step of the way.
This is how I am repaid
This is the thanks I receive for my efforts.
Remember when I found you
Recall the time when I came to rescue you.
The miseries that hounded you
The troubles and hardships that pursued you relentlessly.
And I gave you motion
I provided you with the freedom and ability to move and live your life.
Anointed with lotions
I delicately cared for you, nursing your wounds or ailments with healing oils or medicine.
Mother hear this proposition right
Mother, listen carefully to what I propose.
Grant me freedom to enjoy this night
Allow me the liberty to indulge in my desire for tonight.
And I'll return to you at break of light
I will come back to you before daybreak.
And you owe me life
You have a debt to me for bringing you into existence.
And if I grant you this favor to hand you
If I agree to do you this kindness.
Your life for the evening
I will allow you to enjoy this night as I take on the duties and responsibilities normally required of you.
I will retake by morning
I will assume my rightful role once again at the start of the day.
Consider it your debt repaid
You should regard this as full payment for your debt to me.
Repaid
Compensated in full.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: COLIN MELOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind