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.”
Sun Comes Out
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't tolerate this anymore
It's more than I can take
Wake me before the sun comes out
And everything's alright
The sun comes out and everything's alright
Just don't leave me the scraps
I'm worth more
I'm worth more than that
Wake me before the sun comes out
And everything's alright
The sun comes out and everything's alright
Hold on for one more day
I don't believe in much
But for this I'll pray
The lyrics of The Parlotones's song Sun Comes Out tells a story about a person who has reached their limit and cannot take any more of a specific situation. This person is tired of being treated poorly and disrespected. They demand that they be given the respect they deserve and not be left with just the scraps. The person is willing to wait until dawn, to be woken up before the sun comes out, when everything will be alright. This waiting is symbolic of the hope the person has for change and for a world where they are treated fairly.
The chorus of the song is significant as it echoes the hope and promise of better days ahead. The sun coming out signifies that everything will be okay and that the person will eventually get what they deserve. The repetition of this line further drives home the message and emphasises the hope the person has for the better.
In the final lines of the song, the person prays for a better future. The hope for a better tomorrow is a recurring theme throughout the song. The person doesn't believe in much, but they believe in the possibility of a better future. The song tells a story of hope, perseverance, and the belief in a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
This is more than I can take
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
I won't tolerate this anymore
Refusal to endure and accept a difficult situation
It's more than I can take
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
Wake me before the sun comes out
Request to be awakened before daybreak
And everything's alright
Hope and longing for a better outcome
The sun comes out and everything's alright
Positive outlook on life once obstacles are overcome
And I take what I can get
Settling for less than deserved or desired
Just don't leave me the scraps
Request for fair treatment and consideration
I'm worth more
Recognizing own self-worth and valuing oneself
I'm worth more than that
Refusal to accept less than deserved or desired
Hold on for one more day
Encouragement to persevere and not give up
I don't believe in much
Lack of faith or belief in many things
But for this I'll pray
Hope for a positive outcome and expressing a desire for divine intervention
Contributed by Ian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jan widget
Saw them in Dublin and this song relates to this place more than any other - hope they come back soon!!!!
Mellow Daey
I love this song so much.
Dany Godinez
perfect song and great band!!
heilandi
Love it! Bloody brilliant!!
averywear
they're so underappreciated!
el_av_ate_
Great band, glad i came across them, bout time I hear some good refreshing great music
Maria De Lourdes Fernandes
Perfect song! Beautiful...
redeemer1972
Last night, Bitterzoet Amsterdam; Hoener vlees all over ! Never ever heared of the Parlotones, until my Namibian lady bought tickets and insisted me to come along. Wauw is the only word in place. At least one Dutchy fan joins many others from now. Thank you for the wonderfull and pure sounds last night. Rock on, and all the best! Leo and Chris Holland
Ale
Sono qui dopo aver sentito un pezzo di questa meravigliosa canzone nella serie tv "Charmed" (stagione 1 episodio 19)... non appena ho sentito la canzone me ne sono innamorata e sono impazzita per riuscire a trovarla, finalmente ce l'ho fatta, e sono scioccata nel vedere che non sia molto conosciuta... è veramente bella. Ormai canzoni così belle ne escono poche, si vede che è un pezzo vecchio. Lo adoro 😍
trick1230Y
saw them supporting starsailor in london,they were superb, great energy