The Extraordinaires have produced three full-length albums to date. Their first, "Ribbons of War," is a brilliant themed CD telling the operatic love tale of the brooding Captain, the fair Annelies, and their forbidden love. Their second full-length - "Short Stories" - is a collection of stand-alones featuring tracks such as "The Arsonist" "Warehouse Song" and "Neighborhood Watch". In '08 they opened for Man Man on their acclaimed US tour and released "Battle of the Vans" a split 7-inch with label mates Kill You in the Face.
The Extraordinaires' newest album, entitled "Electric and Benevolent," is set for release on June 19th, 2009, as they kick off their US summer tour in Philadelphia. Music and updates can be found at their myspace: http://myspace.com/theextraordinaires
ellis island
The Extraordinaires Lyrics
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Penniless, impractical and swept up in the breeze
All across the great Atlantic to a city that never sleeps
Tying knots into the cobalt sheets
One of many in a desperate fleet
Just a face among the weary and the weak
Out in open water in a berth I couldn't bare
We arrived one foggy morning and Liberty greeted us there
Landing in Manhattan with my suitcase and a name
I was pushed off Ellis Island they were branded just the same
Now the Industry is waiting for a swift and deliberate change
With a note of introduction, two great men of high esteem
One is busy with production
The other trapped inside a dream
Swimming up that stream of people earning their commute
I was almost swept away under the wave of tailored suits
Standing in the wizard's waiting room
Awaiting in his waiting room
A young machinist in the empire
With a letter in his hand
An opportunist with the invite
Another pitfall in the sand
If it's war they want
We can bring it to their door
And if it's blood the want
Then they can have it all!
"And though you may not understand, the humor is American.."
The lyrics to The Extraordinaires' song Ellis Island paint a picture of a young immigrant arriving in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. The lines "Off the furthest harbor in the Adriatic Sea/Penniless, impractical and swept up in the breeze" give a sense of the desperation and uncertainty that the singer is feeling as they embark on this new chapter of their life. The journey across the Atlantic is described as an experience of being "Just a face among the weary and the weak," emphasizing the anonymity and vulnerability of the immigrant experience.
As the ship approaches New York, the lyrics take on a more hopeful tone. The arrival at Ellis Island, symbolized by the line "We arrived one foggy morning and Liberty greeted us there," represents a new beginning for the singer. However, the obstacles are far from over. The lyric "I was pushed off Ellis Island they were branded just the same" references the process of immigration inspection and the harsh treatment that many immigrants faced.
The second half of the song introduces new themes of industrialization and violence. The singer finds work as a machinist and is introduced to "two great men of high esteem," one of whom is "busy with production" while the other is "trapped inside a dream." This contrast reflects the mixed feelings that many workers had towards the rapid industrialization of America at this time. The final lines of the song, "If it's war they want/We can bring it to their door/And if it's blood they want/Then they can have it all!" hint at the labor struggles and social upheaval that marked this era.
Overall, Ellis Island is a poignant and nuanced portrait of the immigrant experience in early 20th century America. The lyrics capture both the hope and the despair of this time, offering a glimpse into the complex emotions and struggles that shaped America in this period.
Line by Line Meaning
Off the furthest harbor in the Adriatic Sea
Starting my journey from the harbor located farthest in the Adriatic Sea
Penniless, impractical and swept up in the breeze
Being broke, not so smart, and just going with the flow of the wind
All across the great Atlantic to a city that never sleeps
Crossing the huge Atlantic Ocean to reach a city that's always awake
Tying knots into the cobalt sheets
Tying knots into the blue-colored sheets (possibly referring to the sails of the ship)
One of many in a desperate fleet
One of numerous people traveling desperately in the same fleet
Just a face among the weary and the weak
Just another face among the tired and the fragile people on the ship
Out in open water in a berth I couldn't bare
Being in open water in a berth that was unbearable to be in
Huddled down in steerage with a pen and time to spare
Huddled down in steerage (the lowest level of a ship) with a pen and free time
We arrived one foggy morning and Liberty greeted us there
Arriving on a foggy morning in New York City and being welcomed by the Statue of Liberty
Landing in Manhattan with my suitcase and a name
Arriving in Manhattan with only a suitcase and a name (identity)
I was pushed off Ellis Island they were branded just the same
Being forced off Ellis Island and being treated like everyone else who went through the same process
Now the Industry is waiting for a swift and deliberate change
The industry is expecting a quick and well-planned change
With a note of introduction, two great men of high esteem
With an introductory note for two prestigious men
One is busy with production
One of the two men is busy with production (possibly referring to manufacturing or business)
The other trapped inside a dream
The other man is stuck in a dream (likely suggesting that he's either unrealistic or not grounded in reality)
Swimming up that stream of people earning their commute
Trying to navigate through the busy crowd of people who are in a rush to go to work
I was almost swept away under the wave of tailored suits
Almost getting lost in the sea of well-dressed people
Standing in the wizard's waiting room
Waiting in the room of a wizard (likely a metaphor for someone influential or powerful)
Awaiting in his waiting room
Waiting in that person's waiting room
A young machinist in the empire
A young person who operates machinery in the empire (possibly referring to the industrial revolution)
With a letter in his hand
Holding a letter in his hand
An opportunist with the invite
Being someone who takes advantage of opportunities and receiving an invitation
Another pitfall in the sand
Another setback (possibly referring to the challenges of living in America during that time)
If it's war they want
If they want a war
We can bring it to their door
We're capable of taking the war to them
And if it's blood the want
And if they want blood
Then they can have it all!
Then they can have all of the blood they want (likely a display of bravado or aggression)
"And though you may not understand, the humor is American.."
An assertion that some American humor may not be understood by everyone
Contributed by Sebastian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.