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.”
Window Shopper
The Parlotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's up to you to breathe in life
The chemicals of goosebumps
The chemicals of butterflies in stomachs
It's up to you to realise
If you never try, then you'll never fail
If you never fail, then you'll never gain
Don't just stand there window shopping
You're a secret master of disguises
Pretend to be happy, you big fat liars
The formula of "could've been's"
Swallowed up by cautious routines
Changing Mr. Compromise
If you never try, then you'll never fail
If you never fail, then you'll never gain
And you'll be a window shopper
Don't just stand there window shopping
Are you marching, are you marching
Are you marching to someone else's drum?
You bore me with sorrow
You bore me to death
If you're still window shopping
And we're born as dreamers
Amongst the non-believers
Who are called a genius
And it's easier said than done
The man in the mirror says
I am a window shopper
The lyrics of "Window Shopper" by The Parlotones are about the struggle with self-doubt and the fear of failure that can prevent someone from pursuing their dreams. The song encourages the listener to take action and avoid the trap of standing still while watching others succeed. The first stanza speaks to the importance of realizing one's potential and taking action to make dreams a reality. It emphasizes the power of self-confidence and determination to overcome obstacles.
The second stanza is more blunt in its message, challenging the listener to recognize their own role in their lack of progress. It calls out the tendency to settle for less in order to avoid risk and failure. The line "you big fat liars" is a harsh but effective way to convey the message that self-deception can be harmful and unproductive. The bridge contains a call to action, questioning whether the listener is living their life on their own terms or simply following the expectations of others. It implores the listener to be true to themselves and pursue their passions rather than settling for a life of mediocrity.
In summary, "Window Shopper" is an empowering song that encourages the listener to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams. It's a call to action to avoid being a passive observer in one's own life and to take control of one's own destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
You bury your dreams deep inside
You hide your aspirations within yourself, not allowing them to see the light of day
It's up to you to breathe in life
Only you can bring life to your dreams and make them a reality
The chemicals of goosebumps
The physical manifestation of excitement and thrill
The chemicals of butterflies in stomachs
The physical manifestation of nervousness and anticipation
It's up to you to realise
It's your responsibility to make your dreams come true
If you never try, then you'll never fail
If you don't attempt to achieve your dreams, you'll never experience the disappointment of failure
If you never fail, then you'll never gain
But if you don't take risks and fail, you'll never experience the reward of success
And you'll be a window shopper
You'll be stuck merely looking at others' success without ever achieving your own
Don't just stand there window shopping
Take action to pursue your dreams instead of just passively observing others'
You're a secret master of disguises
You're really good at pretending to be content or happy when in reality you're not
Pretend to be happy, you big fat liars
Acting like everything is okay when it's really not is just lying to yourself
The formula of "could've been's"
The pattern of missed opportunities
Swallowed up by cautious routines
The chances to pursue dreams are lost in the rut of repetitive, risk-averse behavior
Changing Mr. Compromise
Abandoning the mindset of settling for less or middle-ground decisions
Are you marching, are you marching
Are you following the crowd without thought or intention?
Are you marching to someone else's drum?
Are you blindly following someone else's agenda without considering your own wishes?
You bore me with sorrow
Your negativity and pessimism is tiresome
You bore me to death
Your lack of action and pursuit of dreams is uninspiring
If you're still window shopping
If you're still standing idly by and not taking action to pursue your dreams
And we're born as dreamers
We're all born with unlimited potential and aspirations
Amongst the non-believers
However, there will always be those who doubt your abilities and aspirations
Who are called a genius
Those who follow through with their dreams are regarded as brilliant or successful
And it's easier said than done
Pursuing and achieving dreams takes hard work and perseverance, not just empty words
The man in the mirror says
Your own reflection symbolizes the responsibility and accountability for your own life
I am a window shopper
Admitting that you haven't taken action to follow your dreams and are merely observing others' success
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.