The band slightly evolved away from their raw early sound with their third album, We Kill Computers, and with their 2011 release, Unpersons. Their next two offerings, 2014's Do Not Engage and 2016's Positive Thinking, found them expanding their sound even further with psychedelic rock and rockabilly influences. Both members cite literature and film as huge inspiration for much of their songwriting, especially science fiction and horror genres. These inpirations are also present in their highly stylized music videos, which are often violent and visually striking homages to beloved sci-fi films.
They also like soup.
Dannemora Blues
The Pack A.D. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Mr Parry
Tell me what is your condition sir
I know you're a sad man
But are you truly a bad man?
God damn Dannemora blues
Oh Mr Parry
Tell me what is your condition sir
I know you're a mad man
But are you truly a bad man?
God damn Dannemora blues
Oh Mr Parry
Oh Mr Bones
Tell me what is your condition sir
Why do you starve yourself?
And why did you blind yourself?
God damn Dannemora blues
God damn Dannemora blues
God damn Dannemora blues
God damn Dannemora blues
In The Pack A.D.'s song "Dannemora Blues," the lyrics are directed towards Mr. Parry and Mr. Bones, two individuals who are presumably incarcerated at the Dannemora prison. The lyrics are seeking to understand the condition and nature of these two individuals, with a focus on Mr. Parry. The singer acknowledges that Mr. Parry is a sad man, but questions whether he is truly a bad man. The repetition of the phrase "God damn Dannemora blues" highlights the despair and hopelessness of the situation, both for the inmates and for the community affected by the prison.
The song raises questions about the nature of punishment and justice, and whether the prison system is effective in rehabilitating individuals or simply punishes them further. The focus on Mr. Parry's condition and potential for redemption invites the listener to consider the humanity of those who have committed crimes and are incarcerated, rather than simply dismissing them as "bad" people. The choice to include lyrics directed towards Mr. Bones, a character who has blinded himself and starved himself, adds an element of confusion and intrigue to the song, leaving the listener questioning what led to his self-destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mr Parry
Addressing Mr. Parry, the person whom the singer wants to speak to
Oh Mr Parry
Addressing Mr. Parry, the person whom the singer wants to speak to
Tell me what is your condition sir
Asking Mr. Parry about his physical or mental state
I know you're a sad man
Acknowledging that Mr. Parry is a man with a lot of sorrow
But are you truly a bad man?
Questioning whether the sadness of Mr. Parry makes him a bad person
God damn Dannemora blues
Expressing frustration and anger at the difficult conditions in Dannemora
Oh Mr Parry
Addressing Mr. Parry, the person whom the singer wants to speak to
Oh Mr Parry
Addressing Mr. Parry, the person whom the singer wants to speak to
Tell me what is your condition sir
Asking Mr. Parry about his physical or mental state
I know you're a mad man
Recognizing that Mr. Parry is a person who lost his mind
But are you truly a bad man?
Questioning whether Mr. Parry is a bad man despite being mentally ill
God damn Dannemora blues
Expressing frustration and anger at the difficult conditions in Dannemora
Oh Mr Parry
Addressing Mr. Parry, the person whom the singer wants to speak to
Oh Mr Bones
Addressing Mr. Bones, another person whom the singer wants to speak to
Tell me what is your condition sir
Asking Mr. Bones about his physical or mental state
Why do you starve yourself?
Inquiring as to why Mr. Bones is not eating enough food
And why did you blind yourself?
Asking why Mr. Bones lost his eyesight
God damn Dannemora blues
Expressing frustration and anger at the difficult conditions in Dannemora
God damn Dannemora blues
Expressing frustration and anger at the difficult conditions in Dannemora
God damn Dannemora blues
Expressing frustration and anger at the difficult conditions in Dannemora
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ecracke3
Thanks for putting this up! One of my favorites
@barrykershaw9818
Heard this on CKUA the other day, really great tune.
@elysugasty141
for those nights driving a car alone... i liked!
@JesseSytzeGoossens
Call me late to the party but i am here because in S3E5 of Snowpiercer on netflix i have mistaken this song for Shawn Mendes - Mercy but i am glad i did because now i can appreciate this song
@cozo83
@cc0nti ty so much! they are coming to a city near me in march! can't wait
@cozo83
Do you have the track build? I think its on this album
@williammartin6980
Sounds great not like stepping wolf there great to but it’s irritating when people always find some song to compare a toon to
How stupid I love this band original 👍
@TheAppleUploader
Sounds a bit too much like Steppenwolf - The Pusher
@Fendelli2012
Dan morrow blues
@brainsick213
woman siging the blues?....cant get any better