The Karelia formed from the ashes of rock/jazz band The Blisters, with Huntley, Alan Wylie, and Glen Thomson of the earlier band joined by Greek drummer Tassos Bobos. Their sound has been described as "prog/techno rock with Iggy-voxed overtones", and "jazzy film-noir lo-fi."
The band's only album, Divorce At High Noon, was released in 1997 on Roadrunner Records to little acclaim. Produced by Bid of The Monochrome Set,[1] it was an off the wall mix of rock and jazz trumpet with unusual lyrics. The final song, "Garavurghty Butes", was completely freestyle with improvised lyrics and musical arrangement. The band did not tour and were unknown outside Glasgow. Very few copies of the album sold (literally hundreds) and the band split in 1998 after contributing to an EP for the Guided Missile label.
Upon the huge success of Franz Ferdinand fans began to exchange originals of Divorce at High Noon for £50-£100. Because of this, the album was re-released in February 2005. It featured all of the previous album and two bonus tracks.
The band's name derives from the same named Greek tobacco industry "Karelia". It is also an area in Northern Europe divided between Russia and Finland.
Dancing Along to Nekrotaphion
The Karelia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the men marry women
Who the girls that you'd think the boys are the men they're married to
Forget that the girls are the boys and that women are the same as the men
For together they grow old
Everybody old
Whoa, ho, old
Old
Every cat that eats a mouse that is fed on the rubbish
While the cat on the flat has snack in an ever-turning ring that rotates through the food
And the bellies on line reach the moon
For together they grow old
Everybody old
Oh, ho, old
Everybody old
Old
Every time that a mother and a father have an argument
The two of you could what they do who as the privilege
Of use as the aura of the few who fortunately love to be doing what they do
As together they grow old
Everybody old
Oh, ho, old
Everybody old
Old
Two, Three, Four
The song "Dancing Along to Nekrotaphion" by The Karelia contains lyrics that are quite cryptic and can be interpreted in a number of ways. One possible interpretation is that the lyrics are about the cycle of life and death and how everyone is equal in the end. The first verse talks about how boys become men and marry women, but in the end, everyone grows old and forgets about gender roles. The second verse talks about how every cat eats a mouse, but in the end, all their bellies will reach the moon. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for death, where everyone ultimately ends up in the same place.
The third verse talks about how parents argue and how their children mimic their behavior. The lyrics mention that some people are fortunate enough to love what they do, suggesting that finding joy in life is important. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "everybody old" and emphasizes how everyone, regardless of their status or accomplishments, will grow old and eventually face death.
Overall, the lyrics to "Dancing Along to Nekrotaphion" are thought-provoking and leave room for interpretation. The song encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the inevitability of death.
Line by Line Meaning
Old boys seek a man
Elderly men look for companionship with someone who can relate to their age and experience
And the men marry women
Men enter into marriages with female partners
Who the girls that you'd think the boys are the men they're married to
The women being married to may appear young and innocent, but they are capable of understanding and being a suitable partner to an older man
Forget that the girls are the boys and that women are the same as the men
Gender stereotypes and roles are limiting and should be disregarded to allow individuals to be themselves regardless of societal expectations
For together they grow old
Regardless of age or gender, people grow old and can find happiness and support in relationships
Everybody old
A reminder that aging is a universal experience that everyone must go through
Every cat that eats a mouse that is fed on the rubbish
Predators consume prey that have previously eaten other creatures, perpetuating the circle of life and death
While the cat on the flat has snack in an ever-turning ring that rotates through the food
A metaphor for the abundance of food and resources available in some areas while others struggle to survive or make ends meet
And the bellies on line reach the moon
Inequality in access to resources can result in extreme differences in societal status and well-being
Every time that a mother and a father have an argument
Disagreements are a natural part of relationships, even between parents
The two of you could what they do who as the privilege
The singer is offering advice or a suggestion on how to handle an argument based on what they've seen from others
Of use as the aura of the few who fortunately love to be doing what they do
Some individuals are lucky enough to find joy and fulfillment in their work or passions, and that can serve as a guiding light in finding one's own path
Two, Three, Four
A musical outro to end the song
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MultiDimou
excellent band, excellent album!