The initial lineup of vocalist Mark Melicia, guitarists Dave Rosen and Paul Ritchie, bassist Nick Villapiano, and drummer Sam Bey arose out of the ashes of an earlier, short-lived band named What About Frank in 2004, and quickly attracted a small following in local clubs. Early on in their career, the Parlor Mob earned critical praise for their captivating translation of classic '70s rock devices (think Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Captain Beyond, Granicus, etc.) into modern indie rock aesthetics. Inspired live performances and songwriting sessions continued apace and, before long, the band had scored a development deal with Capitol Records. But, just as the band's eponymous, four-track EP was headed for release in early 2007, the Parlor Mob became embroiled in the messy merger between Capitol and Virgin Records, watched most of their on-staff supporters laid off, and thus decided to part company with the label rather than cope with any additional fallout. Finding a new home with Roadrunner Records later that summer, the band immediately set about preparing their debut full-length, And You Were a Crow, for an early 2008 release. After touring for the album, the band settled in to work on new material, but tensions within the band resulted in the departure of Nick Villapiano, who was replaced by Anthony Chick. The Parlor Mob eventually followed up in 2011 with their second album, Dogs. The album's lead single, "Into the Sun," found some wider exposure thanks to its use in both a Pittsburgh Penguins commercial and on Monday Night Football. Following a hiatus that effectively began at the end of 2012, the Parlor Mob returned in 2015 with the self-released Cry Wolf EP, a surprisingly lengthy five-song affair that at time dipped into progressive rock territory.
Another three years passed before the band emerged with new material, this time for BMG-affiliated Brittania Row Recordings. The departure of guitarist Dave Rosen and second bassist Anthony Chick made for a reshuffled quartet lineup that included Melicia, Ritchie, Bey, and incoming bassist Gianni Scalise. Beginning with "4th of July," the Parlor Mob issued three tracks throughout 2018. In 2019, they released their fifth album, Dark Hour, which featured production by Malay and found them experimenting with synth and electronic sounds.
Biography by Eduardo Rivadavia
The Beginning
The Parlor Mob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was closer to God in my dreams but still out of my head
When all of the leaves and the moments were in their way touching
A blanket of change and the listening for what will be said
When all that I knew was the wind and the faces before me
I spoke with the purpose and strength of a thousand young man
When the weight of the world and their wolves were out there to destroy me
This is the start of something
This is the end of who we were
The beginning of what we will be
This is the call to something
This is a chance at something pure
The only chance that we can see
When everything else disappears
We'll live out our lives beyond years
Where's the forgiveness we said would be written all over
Where is the peace and the freedom we said would be ours
Have we been lost in a dead winter whispering clover
Can we get back to the truth in the bees and the flowers
This is the start of something
This is the end of who we were
The beginning of what we will be
This is the call to something
This is a chance at something pure
The only chance that we can see
When everything else disappears
We'll live out our lives beyond years
This is the start of something
This is the end of who we were
The beginning of what we will be
This is the call to something
This is a chance at something pure
The only chance that we can see
The lyrics of The Parlor Mob's song “The Beginning” convey a sense of change and transformation as the singer describes a spiritual awakening. The first verse describes the singer waking up by the sea and feeling closer to God in his dreams. He is surrounded by natural elements like leaves and wind, but also by moments and experiences that have touched him. The imagery suggests that the singer is beginning to see and understand things in a new way.
The second verse shifts to a more confrontational tone as the singer faces the weight of the world and the forces that seek to destroy him. He stands strong and resolute in the face of adversity, determined to defend himself and his beliefs. The chorus repeats the phrase “This is the start of something / This is the end of who we were / The beginning of what we will be” which underscores the sense of transformation and new beginnings. The final verse queries whether the peace, forgiveness, and freedom that were promised have been forgotten, and whether it is possible to return to “the truth in the bees and the flowers.”
Overall, the song is a call to action, urging listeners to embrace change, seek the truth, and live their lives with purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I started the day by the tree where the sea was of nothing
I began the day by the barren coast, where there was no sign of life.
I was closer to God in my dreams but still out of my head
In my dreams, I felt spiritually connected but was still detached from reality.
When all of the leaves and the moments were in their way touching
As the leaves rustled with the wind, everything seemed to come together for a moment.
A blanket of change and the listening for what will be said
An aura of transition enveloped everything as I waited for what was to come.
When all that I knew was the wind and the faces before me
My only companions were the gusts of wind and the people around me.
I spoke with the purpose and strength of a thousand young man
My words carried the conviction and power of a multitude of people.
When the weight of the world and their wolves were out there to destroy me
As the burdens of the world and my adversaries threatened to crush me,
I stood in the grass on the hill with my will to defend
I stood my ground on the grassy hill with my determination to fight back.
This is the start of something
This is the beginning of a new chapter.
This is the end of who we were
The end of our past selves and previous ways.
The beginning of what we will be
A fresh start for the future.
This is the call to something
This is an invitation to a new opportunity.
This is a chance at something pure
This is an opportunity to pursue something genuine.
The only chance that we can see
This is the singular opportunity we are aware of.
When everything else disappears
When all else vanishes.
We'll live out our lives beyond years
We'll exist beyond our mortal life.
Where's the forgiveness we said would be written all over
Where is the compassion and absolution we once professed?
Where is the peace and the freedom we said would be ours
Where is the serenity and liberation we once anticipated?
Have we been lost in a dead winter whispering clover
Have we become stagnant like a lifeless winter field of clover?
Can we get back to the truth in the bees and the flowers
Can we rediscover the authenticity found in nature?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTHONY CHICK, DAVID ROSEN, MARK MELICIA, PAUL RITCHIE, SAMUEL BEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcelapineda170
I started the day by the tree
Where the sea was of nothing
I was closer to God in my dreams
But still out of my head
When all of the leaves and the moments
Were in their way touching
A blanket of change and the listening
For what will be said
When all that I knew was the wind
And the faces before me
I spoke with the purpose and strength
Of a thousand young man
When the weight of the world
And their wolves were out there to destroy me
I stood in the grass on the hill
With my will to defend
This is the start of something
This is the end of who we were
The beginning of what we will be
This is the call to something
This is a chance at something pure
The only chance that we can see
When everything else disappears
We'll live out our live beyond years
Where's the forgiveness
We said would be written all over?
Where is the peace and the freedom
We said would be ours?
Have we been lost
In a dead winter whispering clover?
Can we get back to the truth
In the bees and the flowers?
@TheNachtblut
this band is one of my favorite bands.. so dynamic, touching, epic. They manage to hit the border between touching and aggresive really well. "And you where a crow" is one of my absolute favorite albums.Respect for their work!
@coopersgirl52
This has hit me between the eyes ... what an amazing band. Together with Rival Sons they're keeping the flame of Rock burning bright for this old 70s rock fan!
@marcelapineda170
I started the day by the tree
Where the sea was of nothing
I was closer to God in my dreams
But still out of my head
When all of the leaves and the moments
Were in their way touching
A blanket of change and the listening
For what will be said
When all that I knew was the wind
And the faces before me
I spoke with the purpose and strength
Of a thousand young man
When the weight of the world
And their wolves were out there to destroy me
I stood in the grass on the hill
With my will to defend
This is the start of something
This is the end of who we were
The beginning of what we will be
This is the call to something
This is a chance at something pure
The only chance that we can see
When everything else disappears
We'll live out our live beyond years
Where's the forgiveness
We said would be written all over?
Where is the peace and the freedom
We said would be ours?
Have we been lost
In a dead winter whispering clover?
Can we get back to the truth
In the bees and the flowers?
@frankstalker6292
Not quite the correct lyrics
@michaeltourre5502
I have listened to the DOGS album at least 20 times in the last 2 weeks. I'm obsessed with this album.
@skateroftrogdor
i saw them last night and this was there last song they played. They are amazing live and this song was so fucking good!
@JohnSmith-ws6jg
Music is fun again! Love the resurgence of this style of rock.
@AndyPazful
i love em! mark melicia has such an incredible voice!
@SOLtoo
Holy Shit! This band rocks and this song is INCREDIBLE!!
@kirstenbowen1088
Can I paint these lyrics? Was thinking of "paradise lost" but this might have hit a different nail on the head. yes, epic.