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.”
I'll Be There
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still beauty, colourful
These blossoms are ever bloom
Can't promise, 'cause just like hearts
They get broken but I try my hardest (Try my hardest)
Even if you're rich, even if you're poor
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there
Angelic, little princess
I wanna wake up to your face every morning
Another love song, a silly love song
But it's our song, and it's forever (It's forever)
Even if you're rich, even if you're poor
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
Even if you're strong, even if you're not
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
I'll, I'll, I'll be there for you
I'll, I'll, I'll be there for you
Even if you're rich, even if you're poor
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
Even if you're strong, even if you're not
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
Even if you're rich, even if you're poor
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
Even if you're strong, even if you're not
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
I'll, I'll be
I'll, I'll be there
The lyrics of “I’ll Be There” by The Parlotones are about unconditional love and the pledge to always be there for someone no matter what. The first verse talks about the beauty of the world and how sometimes things can still get broken, but the singer promises to try their hardest to keep their promise. The second verse mentions a loved one, their face being something the singer wants to wake up to every morning. The chorus repeats the pledge to always be there, whether the person is rich or poor, whether they are strong or not. The song emphasizes the depth and eternity of this love, with the lyrics “This song is forever” repeated at the end.
The song seems to be primarily about romantic love, but the lyrics could also apply to friends or family members. The mention of the little princess in the second verse suggests a father or paternal figure also singing the song. The chorus emphasizes the reassuring nature of always being there for someone, no matter what. The lyrics are both optimistic and realistic, acknowledging that things can still go wrong even with the best intentions.
Overall, “I’ll Be There” is a heartfelt song about love and commitment. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and the melody is catchy and uplifting, making it a popular song for weddings and other celebrations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll, I'll
I'll always be there for you
Still beauty, colourful
Your beauty never fades, it only becomes brighter over time
These blossoms are ever bloom
Our love will continue to grow and flourish like blooming flowers
Can't promise, 'cause just like hearts
I cannot guarantee anything, much like how hearts can be unpredictable
They get broken but I try my hardest (Try my hardest)
I may fail at times, but I will always do my best to protect your heart
Even if you're rich, even if you're poor
Regardless of your financial status
Every breath you breathe, I'll be there for you
I will always support you, through every breath you take
Even if you're strong, even if you're not
Regardless of your strength or weakness
Angelic, little princess
You are like an angel, my dear princess
I wanna wake up to your face every morning
I want to start each day with you by my side
Another love song, a silly love song
This may be considered a cliche love song
But it's our song, and it's forever (It's forever)
This is our special song, and it will last forever
This song is forever
This song represents the eternal love we have for each other
I'll, I'll be there for you
I'll always be there for you, my love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@extraterrestrialsavior4661
I'll, I'll, Still beauty, colourful
These blossoms are up for bloom
One promise is just like a heart
They get broken. But I'll try my hardest
Even if you're rich
Even if you're poor
Every breath you breathe
I'll be there for you
Even if you're strong
Even if you're not
Every breath you breathe
I'll be there for you
Angelic, little princess,
I wanna wake up
To your face every morning
Another love song
A silly love song
But it's our song
And it's forever
Even if you're rich,
Even if you're poor,
Every breath you breathe,
I'll be there for you.
Even if you're strong
Even if you're not
Every breath you breathe,
I'll be there for you.
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
I'll, I'll, I'll be there for you.
Even if you're rich,
Even if you're poor,
Every breath you breathe,
I'll be there for you.
Even if you're strong
Even if you're not
Every breath you breathe,
I'll be there for you.
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
This song is forever
@thepotentguy
Great song, still remember when i was younger and this would only play on SABC 3 frequently. Then it became my favorite song at that time...Ahh SEEMS like forever ago. How time flies brothers and sisters.
@MW3GlitchSA
They missed out on the Social Media wave.
This song only uploaded on 2016.
Back then South African artists didn't want to give their music away for "free" on YouTube
@onalennamasike2163
Same
@jesuslovesyou1
So true
We have something better to look forward to Jesus Christ 💯❤️
Please kindly get to know Jesus Christ for yourself not what the world has told you
God bless.
All the best with your individual personal lives
@philanimukenge4500
Stressless times for me atleast
@chainsmoker_
When the 3pm movie on Saturday is about to play
@gamelihleyengwa9815
If it wasn't for SABC 3 most of us wouldn't have known this song. I think it was 2005 or 2006, I used to always check if this song was on. This song just crossed my mind right now after I last saw the video years ago, luckily I found it here.
@siyabulelapiko
Tell me I'm seeing things this song hasn't passed million views...by far one of the best love songs to come out of Africa and such numbers...shame on us all. Even the music video was of great genius... shame on us all😤
@theparlotones
Very kind of you. We lost the original music video upload and all the views when we parted ways with our previous management and they removed it from YouTube, so we had to start from scratch. 😘
@randalllewis6309
@@theparlotones As a coloured boyfriend from Mitchell's Plain, you have no idea how we treasured your contribution to our lives. Don't ever stop, you have no idea when and where you music hits.