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.”
Martyr
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause the martyr will surely die today.
Don't be a liar, don't be a liar,
Cause your sins will surely catch you out today.
Matchbox, matchbox,
Matchbox, matchbox strike up an idea.
You're listening with headphones.
Strained voices distort and smudge my friends,
Listening with headphones.
"contaminated, contaminated"
Are the poisonous words you choose to speak.
Oh, think about it, please think about it
Are those the final words you'd want to speak?
The lyrics to The Parlotones’ song “Martyr” urge the listener to avoid becoming a martyr or a liar, as they will ultimately lead to one’s demise. The song’s opening lines are a warning against becoming a martyr, a person who selflessly sacrifices themselves for a cause or belief. The chorus repeats this message, emphasizing that anyone who takes on the role of a martyr is destined to meet their end. The lyrics then shift to caution against becoming a liar, warning that one’s sins will eventually catch up to them.
The second half of the song focuses on the theme of communication and how words can be distorted and contaminated. The line “Matchbox, matchbox, matchbox, matchbox strike up an idea” suggests that the singer is searching for inspiration or a creative spark, using a match as a metaphor for starting something new. However, the next verse reveals that the singer is struggling with the quality of their communication. The use of headphones suggests a disconnect between the singer and those around them, with the “strained voices” distorting and smudging their friends.
The final lines of the song seem to be directed at someone specific, urging them to consider the impact of their words. The use of the word “contaminated” implies that the singer feels the other person’s words are toxic or harmful. The repetition of “think about it” suggests that the singer wants the other person to reflect on their actions and choose their words more carefully.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be the martyr, don't be the martyr,
Do not sacrifice yourself for a cause.
Cause the martyr will surely die today.
Being a martyr could lead to death.
Don't be a liar, don't be a liar,
Do not deceive or lie to others.
Cause your sins will surely catch you out today.
Your wrongdoings will be revealed sooner or later.
Matchbox, matchbox,
Metaphor for a spark of inspiration or idea.
Matchbox, matchbox strike up an idea.
Let an idea light and ignite like a match.
Strained voices distort inside my head,
Hearing negative or conflicting voices that create psychological pressure.
You're listening with headphones.
You're trying to isolate yourself from the outside world.
Strained voices distort and smudge my friends,
Negative or conflicting voices ruin friendships.
Listening with headphones.
Trying to avoid external influences and distractions.
"contaminated, contaminated"
Repeated use of negative or harmful language.
Are the poisonous words you choose to speak.
Your words can be harmful to both yourself and others.
Oh, think about it, please think about it
Reflect on your words and actions.
Are those the final words you'd want to speak?
Consider the impact of what you say, as it could be the last thing you ever say.
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.