The Parlotones’ three studio albums —2005’s Radiocontrolledrobot, 2007’s A World Next Door To Yours, and 2009’s Stardust Galaxies, have racked up numerous platinum and gold certifications and South African Music Awards, while their three live CD/DVD packages (culminating in 2010’s Live Design) have cemented their reputation as a fiery force to be reckoned with onstage. Confronted with the sight of powerfully expressive frontman Kahn Morbee leading the band — which also includes guitarist Paul Hodgson, bassist Glen Hodgson, and drummer Neil Pauw — to soaring emotional heights during their Fall 2011 club tour of the U.S., the Boston Herald predicted that “The Parlotones could become huge here. Killers huge, Muse huge, Coldplay huge.” Filter magazine reckoned that “their earnestness, work ethic, and charm may be their biggest weapons.”
Those qualities will serve The Parlotones well in 2012 as they prepare to expand their loyal fanbase beyond South Africa and Europe (where they also have a devoted following) to the United States with the release of their new album Journey Through the Shadows, via their own Sovereign Entertainment label, on May 8th. “America dictates trends around the world,” Morbee says. “If you’re big there, the rest of the world listens. It has a ripple effect. We would be very proud to achieve success in the U.S. because very few artists from our country have managed it. I think for a long time, South Africans have had an inferiority complex in terms of our place in the world and our relative insignificance compared to the super powers. It would be nice to have a success story, especially in a nation that needs uplifting, and instill in folks back home that ‘can do’ belief.”
To achieve their goal, The Parlotones have crafted the kind of melody-minded arena-filling songs that transcend language and culture barriers on Journey Through The Shadows. First single “Save Your Best Bits,” with its theme of not allowing negative things from the past to affect the good parts of your soul, and the celebratory “I Am Alive” are about catharsis. They chase those moments of universal human experience when everyone in the room is uplifted by a shared emotion. “My goal is to connect with people across the world, and I think the human condition is very similar regardless of where you are,” Morbee says. “I think the theme of these songs is hope and that life is worth living regardless of its ups and downs.”
That theme informs the album’s title, Journey Through The Shadows, which, Morbee explains, is a metaphor for the human experience. “You’re not given a guidebook or map at birth that guarantees the smoothest path,” he says. “Ultimately, we all walk through with a candle that only allows us to see so far in front of ourselves. You never know what’s around the corner, so it’s an analogy for life.”
In keeping with The Parlotones’ big themes are big ideals. Ever since these four school friends formed the band in the Johannesburg suburb of Roodepoort in the late ’90s they have always aspired not only to have fun making music, but also to give back to their community. Over the years, they have raised funds and awareness for a variety of social and environmental organizations, lending their high profile to initiatives such as Live Earth, Earth Hour, The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Carbon Free campaign, Nelson Mandela’s 46664, and Live Earth’s Run for Water, among others. They are also ambassadors for the anti-poaching organization Rhino Force, United Against Malaria, and several other non-profits that combat problems that acutely affect South Africa. In March 2012, they will join with Africa Unites for a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise global awareness about ending violence against women and girls in Africa. The band sees the music and the activism, as well as their other creative business endeavors (the band has its own boutique wine label, which has released three highly successful blends) as one and the same: methods of expression, communication, and connection.
“People in the public eye have the ability to spread a message very quickly and effectively,” Morbee says. “So we try to do so when it concerns issues we feel strongly about. But we never want to come across as a band that's preaching. All we're really doing is drawing attention to causes that we support. South Africa is our home and home to our families and our friends. We certainly want to make sure they have a bright future. If we can get involved and encourage people to get involved, it can only have positive effects.”
The Parlotones are excited to be representing their homeland and shining a spotlight on it in the process. “Every band dreams of making a living, touring, and having a large fan base around the world,” Morbee says. “Those were our aspirations from the beginning, but because the music market in South Africa wasn’t developed, they were very difficult to achieve. We had to pave our own way. For me the success is not in what we may eventually achieve but in actually taking the journey. Yes there's a lot of risk associated, but we’ve soaked up such a wealth of experiences that it makes it all worthwhile.”
Giant Mistake
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Devilishly gorgeous temptress she
She knew that I would
And elegantly wasted, tasted more
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
The hell? What the hell?
And eloquently said the phrase that pays, but somehow
I'm still flat broke
And succulently licked four, five, six, seven
Don't leave me alone
Mmmm it was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
Oh, it was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
The hell? What the hell?
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-oh
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
(Wo-o-o-oh) We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
(Wo-o-o-oh) The hell? What the hell?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell were we thinking?
Were we thinking at all?
(Wo-o-o-oh) What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
(Wo-o-o-oh) We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
(Wo-o-o-oh) The hell? What the hell?
Wo-o-o-oh
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh
The lyrics to The Parlotones's song Giant Mistake depict the aftermath of a bad decision made by the singer and their lover, a "devilishly gorgeous temptress." The singer acknowledges that they were lured in by her beauty and "tasted more than [they] should." The phrase "giant mistake" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the magnitude of their folly. The singer wonders what they were thinking and what they believed they would achieve, as they now stand exposed and regretful.
The references to being "elegantly wasted" and the phrase that "pays but somehow I'm still flat broke" suggest that this was not just an emotional mistake, but also a financial or professional one. The repeated "wo-o-o-oh" chants in the chorus contribute to the overall feeling of regret and despair.
Overall, Giant Mistake is a cautionary tale about giving in to temptation and making choices without fully considering the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Devilishly gorgeous temptress she
An extremely attractive woman, who knew that I would be tempted by her
She knew that I would
She had confidence that I would succumb to her seduction
And elegantly wasted, tasted more
Effortlessly charming and intoxicated, I indulged in her more than I should have
More than I should
I went beyond my limits and made a big mistake
It was a giant mistake (Gigantic)
The mistake was huge and colossal
What the hell were we thinking?
We acted recklessly and didn't use our brains at all
Were we thinking at all?
We didn't consider the consequences of our actions
What the hell did we believe we'd achieve?
We had unrealistic expectations and didn't think about the outcome
We stood there with our hearts exposed as the elders said I told you so
We were vulnerable and exposed, and older and wiser people warned us but we didn't listen
And eloquently said the phrase that pays, but somehow
We were promised something great, but ended up with nothing
I'm still flat broke
We didn't receive any benefit and are left with nothing
And succulently licked four, five, six, seven
We enjoyed the pleasure and temptation, but it was temporary and fleeting
Don't leave me alone
Despite knowing it was a mistake, we still have the desire to continue
Wo-o-o-oh
Refrain/interlude
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexvanderwesthuizen5999
I remember sitting behind my a friends house in Ramsgate, painting a handmade Parlotones shirt, wore that shirt to a concert later that year. Still some of my best childhood memories
@tinosemoko
This Song Will Never Get old
@mbanikmbaku4297
Totally agree. Timeless
@ros_na
never a dull moment when you play the Parlotones😊
@the_veganblonde4342
One of the best songs ever recorded. 🎶⭐
@StacyLukasavitz
I love this band. Every time I watch a video of theirs, or see them on TV or live . . . I love them even more. That is all.
@Aspanishperspective
I love them so much!!! Best band ever! They are also unbelievable live. I hope they will perform in Barcelona sometime soon :))
@ondecakes
Man I grew up on this music 😩
@tyriquestock7822
Trips with the parlotones playing was fun af😎
@MumboMaya
Well I am South African if you like Indie rock do you know the band The Killers?