(1) Australian indie rock band the Griswolds became an overnight sensation in their homeland with their catchy tunes, laid-back style, and party-hearty philosophy. Named after Chevy Chase's hapless family in the Vacation movies, the Griswolds were formed in 2012 by singer Christopher Whitehall, guitarist Daniel Duque-Perez, bassist Tim John, drummer Chris Riley, and keyboardist Lachlan West. The band came together after Whitehall and Duque-Perez began working up song ideas together, and one sounded good enough that it deserved a band to play and record it. The band had already begun work on their debut EP when they came up with the name the Griswolds; and when they finished recording the song "Mississippi," they wasted no time posting it online, and the song was promptly embraced by music bloggers. Radio soon followed, and Australian radio powerhouse Triple J put "Mississippi" into regular rotation; it would become their most played song of 2012. After the debut EP, Heart of a Lion, climbed the Australian charts, the Griswolds proved they had the live show to back up their skills in the studio, playing memorable sets at the Big Day Out, Parklife, and Homebake Festivals, and making their first forays into Europe. In May 2013, the group made its American debut with a show in Brooklyn, New York, and they were signed by Wind-Up Records, who issued the EP in the United States as "Mississippi" made its way onto the college radio charts. In early 2014, the Griswolds went into the studio with producer Tony Hoffer to start work on their first full-length album. Their full length debut Be Impressive arrived in August 2014.
http://www.wearethegriswolds.com
(2) Toledo, OH-based brothers Art and Roman Griswold began playing blues together in 1959. In 1997, they released All the Way Down, their third studio album and the only one widely available to date, for the London-based JSP Records. On the recording, Art Griswold plays guitar and sings, while Roman contributes vocals and Hammond B-3 organ.
Both Art and Roman grew up surrounded by the sounds of bent guitar strings and wailing harmonicas. Art got his first guitar at age 17 after a motorcycle wreck laid him up for a few months. He moved to Little Rock, AR and began sitting in with people like Big Moose Walker and others. After moving to Toledo, he became the guitarist for Little Walter Mitchell and honed his craft at a variety of Toledo blues clubs.
Both brothers began their musical education with gospel music, listening to the radio and ordering the latest recordings by Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and others. By 1959, Art was joined in Toledo by his older brother Roman, who had completed a hitch in the armed forces, and quickly made his mark as a harmonica player. Roman hooked up with Art’s band and the Griswolds landed a job at the club Hines Farm, where they had the opportunity to polish their chops backing up touring musicians like Jimmy Ricks, vocalist Little Esther Phillips, Freddie King, and Jimmy McCracklin. Finally, by 1965, Art Griswold opened his own tavern and made his own band the house band, playing six days a week. At this point, Roman began to pick up keyboards, since the lengthy jam sessions were taking their toll on him.
The Griswolds first entered the recording studio in the mid-’60s for the Fortune label in Detroit, where they recorded singles including “Pretty Mama” and “What the Judge Man Did to Me.” Their singles found some airplay on R&B-oriented radio stations, and they began to tour regionally in Detroit, Houston, Memphis, and New Orleans. The Griswolds continued to record (mostly singles) for small labels throughout the ’70s disco boom, but by the ’80s, they recorded and released their first full-length album, Two Aces and a Jack, with Toledo blues singer Big Jack Reynolds; the resulting airplay for the release brought them the chance to jam with Lee Atwater at a fund-raiser for President Reagan.
In 1990, the band, by this point paragons of the Toledo blues scene, recorded a live album, Full Time Blues, for the Highball label. Also in the early ’90s, they released a studio album, The Reel Deal, for the same label. Saxophonist Rick “Big Daddy Cool” Schefdore joined the band in 1991, and he brought a wealth of experience to the group. He wrote two of the songs on All the Way Down and produced the band’s first widely distributed album. Cockeyed World followed in early 2001.
(2) Source: The Grisswolds - (Allmusic) Artist Biography by Richard Skelly
Anna Sun
The Griswolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges
My feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
We tore up the walls we slept on couches
We lifted this house we lifted this house
Fire-crackers in the east my car parked south
I was up against the wall on the west mezzanine
We rattle this town we rattle this scene
O, Anna Sun!
O, Anna Sun!
What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We′re gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges
My feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
We were up against the wall on the west mezzanine
We rattle this town we rattle this scene
O, Anna Sun!
O, Anna Sun!
What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We′re gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
This house is falling apart
Live my life without
Station wagon rides
Fumbling around the back
Not one seat belt on
Wait for summertime
Coming up for air
Now it's all a wash
Now it's all a wash
Live my life without
Coming up for air
Now it′s all a wash
I want everyone
Racing down the hill
I am faster than you
Wait for summertime
Wait for summertime
O, Anna Sun!
O, Anna Sun!
Sun!
What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We′re gonna rattle this ghost town
What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
This house is falling apart
This house is falling apart
We′re gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
This house is falling apart
The song "Anna Sun" by The Griswolds is an upbeat, energetic and catchy anthem about youth and freedom. The lyrics describe a group of friends who are living their lives to the fullest, despite not having much money. They have torn up walls, slept on couches and lifted this house, which seems to be falling apart. The lyrics are written in past tense and describe various scenes with Anna Sun, including car rides, walking around, and being up against a wall on the west mezzanine.
The song speaks to the heart of every young person who seeks adventure, love and freedom. It suggests that it is possible to enjoy life to the fullest regardless of the circumstances. The chorus is very catchy and repetitive, emphasizing the central message of the song: "We got no money, but we got heart, we're gonna rattle this ghost town."
The song was a big hit for the Australian band, reaching #10 on the alternative charts and becoming one of their most well-known tracks. It has been used in numerous TV shows and commercials, including Teen Wolf, MTV's Catfish, and the UK's The Only Way Is Essex. The popularity of the song can be attributed to its upbeat and fun melody, as well as its relatable lyrics, which capture the spirit of youthful exuberance and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges
The house is in disrepair with broken screens and doors.
My feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
The singer is physically worn out from working on the house.
We tore up the walls we slept on couches
The house was in such bad shape that they had to destroy parts of it and sleep on furniture.
We lifted this house we lifted this house
Despite the difficulties, they managed to repair and lift the house.
Fire-crackers in the east my car parked south
There are distractions and noises around them, but they are focused on each other.
Your hands on my cheeks your shoulder in my mouth
They are intimate and affectionate with each other.
I was up against the wall on the west mezzanine
They were in a precarious and vulnerable position.
We rattle this town we rattle this scene
Their love and determination have an impact on the community around them.
O, Anna Sun!
The artist is addressing Anna Sun as a symbol of hope and light.
What do you know? this house is falling apart
They acknowledge the problems they face with the house.
What can I say? this house is falling apart
They accept the reality of their situation.
We got no money, but we got heart
They may not have many resources, but they have determination and passion to make things work.
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
Their energy and spirit will bring the town to life.
Live my life without Station wagon rides
The singer reminisces about their childhood and the simplicity they once knew.
Fumbling around the back Not one seat belt on
They recall fond, carefree memories from their past.
Wait for summertime Coming up for air
They long for a break and the warmth of summer.
Now it's all a wash Now it's all a wash
Their past is now just a distant memory.
I want everyone Racing down the hill I am faster than you
They still have a competitive and playful spirit.
Sun!
The singer is overjoyed and hopeful for a better future.
This house is falling apart
They repeat the phrase as a reminder of the challenges they face.
We′re gonna rattle this ghost town
Their energy and spirit will bring life to a place that has been forgotten.
Writer(s): Adrian Galvin, Nicholas Lerangis, Nicholas William Petricca, Adam David Reifsnyder
Contributed by Tyler C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.