For the follow-up, the band headed back to London to record with Watson again. The resulting album, Look at Life Again Soon, was issued by Take Root in September 2008, followed 12 months later by Do You Want Power, which was recorded at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville with producer Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound). At the sessions Cartwright and Hames hit it off and decided to collaborate on a single, but after spending time writing together the single became an album, Strychnine Dandelion. It was released by In the Red in 2010. By this time the band had moved to Nashville and started working on another album. The writing sessions continued on the road, where the group served as the opening act for Kings of Leon and the Dead Weather. The Ettes reunited with longtime producer Liam Watson at his Toe Rag Studio in London to record their fourth album, 2011's Wicked Will.
After the touring cycle for the record wore down and they released a single, "Teeth," in 2012, the band turned toward a new pursuit. The trio, plus some friends, leased out a retail space in Nashville and began putting together a record store/artist space called Fond Object. It opened in April of 2013, then after a couple years, the store branched out into a record label of the same name. The label's first release was a 2016 reissue of Shake the Dust, timed for the debut full-length's tenth anniversary and with two extra tracks added. Meanwhile, Hames toured in 2014 as a member of the New Pornographers and began work on her first solo album.
There is another band with the same name:
[2] A all-girl punk trio from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in April 1979. They played eleven gigs, supporting: Another Pretty Face, The Visitors, Shake and The Exploited. The same year, they recorded a five track demo, from which "A Conversation" also appears on "Messthetics #105: D.I.Y. 77-81 Scotland I". They played their final 70s gig on 22 Sept 1979. The band reformed for the Fritz Van Helsing Memorial gig (15 Apr 2012 at Bannermans, Edinburgh), where Anne, Teen and Trash were joined by Steve Fraser (guitar).
Crown Of Age
The Ettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To try to settle down
You see it in her line
You look it up and down
You see it end to end
You read it like a book
And then for what it is
You take a look
Oh the sun comes out again
Crown of age crown of age
Just like it's always been
And you know and you know
Oh what you've gotta do
Crown of age crown of age
Yes it's all up to you
It's harder than you know
To get where you belong
Somehow you're always there
Somehow it's always wrong
As far as I can see
That much'll never change
It's what you always know
Just like your name
And when it rains when it rains
Oh the sun comes out again
Crown of age crown of age
Just like it's always been
And you know and you know
Oh what you've gotta do
Crown of age crown of age
Yes it's all up to you
It's harder than you know
To get where you belong
Somehow you're always there
Somehow it's always wrong
As far as I can see
That much'll never change
It's what you always know
Just like your name
And when it rains when it rains
Oh the sun comes out again
Crown of age crown of age
Just like it's always been
And you know and you know
Oh what you've gotta do
Crown of age crown of age
Yes it's all up to you
And when it rains when it rains
Oh the sun comes out again
Crown of age crown of age
Just like it's always been
And you know and you know
Oh what you've gotta do
Crown of age crown of age
Yes it's all up to you
The Ettes' song "Crown Of Age" delves into the complexities and challenges of settling down and finding one's place in life. The lyrics suggest that despite one's best efforts, it can be difficult to feel like one truly belongs, and that this feeling of unease can persist despite external circumstances. The "crown of age" referred to in the song seems to represent the weight of time and experience that one carries with them, and the sense that this burden is always present, no matter what choices one makes in life.
The repeated refrain of "crown of age" suggests that this feeling of being weighed down by time is something that is common and universal, and that it is an inevitable part of the human experience. However, the song also suggests that there is agency in this situation - "it's all up to you." Despite the challenges of settling down and finding one's place, the song suggests that it is ultimately up to the individual to decide how they will live their life and carry their "crown of age."
Overall, "Crown Of Age" is a thoughtful and introspective song that explores the complexities of aging and finding one's place in the world. Its lyrics provide a nuanced and insightful perspective on these issues, and its haunting melody and driving percussion create a memorable and affecting listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's harder than you know
The task at hand is significantly more challenging than you might initially think.
To try to settle down
It's especially difficult to calm yourself and attain a stable position.
You see it in her line
A person's life story and experiences are often quite apparent in their facial expressions and features.
You look it up and down
You analyze this person's characteristics and behaviors from top to bottom.
You see it end to end
You perceive a person's life and identity as a comprehensive whole.
You read it like a book
You perceive a person's identity and story as if you were reading a novel or autobiography.
And then for what it is
You evaluate this person and their identity based on the reality of who they are, objectively.
You take a look
You observe this person's life from an unbiased perspective.
And when it rains when it rains
Even when it seems like everything is going wrong or turning negative,
Oh the sun comes out again
There is always a glimmer of hope or positivity that shines through shortly after.
Crown of age crown of age
A metaphorical symbol of the significant amount of wisdom and knowledge that accumulates as one ages.
Just like it's always been
This symbol and the importance of aging has been a constant throughout human history.
And you know and you know
Everyone understands the significance of aging and what it represents.
Oh what you've gotta do
It's imperative that you respect the importance of aging and seek to attain as much knowledge and wisdom as possible as you grow older.
Yes it's all up to you
It's your personal responsibility to embrace and make the most of aging and the resulting wisdom and knowledge that comes with it.
To get where you belong
Reaching your ultimate destination and fulfilling your purpose is an arduous journey that requires a great deal of effort and intentionality.
Somehow you're always there
Despite the many challenges and obstacles on this journey, you always manage to remain on track towards your ultimate goal.
Somehow it's always wrong
Even when you're in the right place and on the right path, it can feel like something is off or not quite perfect.
As far as I can see
Based on my current perspective and knowledge,
That much'll never change
Some things will always remain the same and persist throughout time and human history.
It's what you always know
Aging and the resulting wisdom and knowledge that comes with it is a near-universal truth that we all eventually come to understand and appreciate.
Just like your name
Your identity and sense of self are an inherent and stable part of your being, just like your given name.
Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.