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.”
Long Way Home
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might as well, might as well be dead
These demons are shouting in my head
Pretend
A nervous twitch
A jealous twitch
I can't control the scratching itch
Suddenly I'm screaming on
I'm broken by the winter sun
Damaged goods, damaged goods
Who can keep me awake?
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
Toughen up, I better toughen up
Or I will suffocate
And it would be too late
To have realized perfection's not a flavour
Suddenly I'm screaming on
I'm broken by the winter sun
Damaged goods, damaged goods
Who can keep me awake?
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
It's a long way home
I rest my eyes
My skin and bones
A place that I can call my own
Friends can phone
I guess you'll call it home
The Parlotones's song Long Way Home may seem like a simple and repetitive track with a catchy chorus, but a closer look at its lyrics reveals the struggles of a person trying to overcome their internal demons. The opening lines, "Shake my head, shake my head, I might as well, might as well be dead" suggest the singer's feelings of hopelessness and wanting to escape their thoughts. They mention "demons" that are "shouting in my head," which could refer to negative thoughts or anxiety.
As the song progresses, the singer describes their struggle to control their impulses and thoughts, referring to a "nervous twitch" and a "jealous twitch," indicating feelings of insecurity and restlessness. They also mention feeling like "damaged goods" and asking who can keep them awake, potentially alluding to a desire for someone to help them through their struggles.
Towards the end of the song, the singer realizes that they need to "toughen up" or risk "suffocating" and missing their chance to realize that "perfection's not a flavor." The chorus repeats the line "It's a long way home," which could signify their journey towards healing and self-discovery. The final lines suggest that the singer has found some solace in a place they can call home, and that their friends and loved ones are there to support them.
Overall, Long Way Home is a poignant reflection on the struggles of mental health and the importance of finding a sense of belonging and support in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake my head, shake my head
I am disappointed with my situation and cannot help but shake my head in disbelief.
I might as well, might as well be dead
I feel hopeless and worthless, as though life has no meaning.
These demons are shouting in my head
I am battling inner demons that keep tormenting me with negative thoughts.
Pretend
I try to hide my true feelings and thoughts from the world by pretending everything is okay.
A nervous twitch
I am anxious and my body reacts by twitching uncontrollably.
A jealous twitch
I am filled with envy and my body reacts by twitching uncontrollably.
I can't control the scratching itch
I cannot resist the urge to scratch the itch, be it physical or emotional.
Just in time to realize, stupid silly
I come to the realization that my actions or thoughts were foolish and unnecessary.
Suddenly I'm screaming on
I am overwhelmed by emotions and my inner struggle reaches a boiling point.
I'm broken by the winter sun
The bleak, cold winter symbolizes my broken spirit and lack of warmth in my life.
Damaged goods, damaged goods
I feel broken and worthless, as though I am beyond repair.
Who can keep me awake?
I am struggling to find someone or something to keep my mind from drifting into darkness and despair.
It's a long way home
The journey towards healing and recovery is long and arduous.
Toughen up, I better toughen up
I know I need to be stronger and more resilient in order to better deal with life's challenges.
Or I will suffocate
If I do not become stronger, the weight of life's difficulties will be too much for me to bear.
And it would be too late
I acknowledge that I need to take action now, before it is too late.
To have realized perfection's not a flavour
I have come to the realization that perfection is unattainable and not worth striving for.
I rest my eyes
I seek refuge from the world by closing my eyes and shutting everyone out.
My skin and bones
All that remains of me is my physical body, devoid of emotion and spirit.
A place that I can call my own
I long for a sense of belonging and a place where I can feel safe and accepted.
Friends can phone
I seek comfort in the knowledge that I have people in my life who care and are willing to reach out.
I guess you'll call it home
Despite my struggles, I find a sense of belonging and acceptance, which I can call home.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lillian Blair
They never disappoint!
Pushkar Bajpai
The most beautiful melody I have heard in a while!
ILoveTheParlotones
amazing song!!!
Oded Fried-Gaon
beautiful!
(_GG_)
Incredible
Batyi M-Afrika
SA Stand up
Tyler Perkins
Those single eyes and pyramids in the cover photo... ah, just when you thought there were some bands that hadn't sold their souls to get where they are... "These demons are shouting in my head: 'Pretend!'"
Mirriam Moshobane
ū
Luciana Dejavus
@theblairs98 never same