Since the start in 1996, The Provenances general aim, both musically as wel… Read Full Bio ↴Since the start in 1996, The Provenances general aim, both musically as well as lyrically, has been to portray the hopelessness, despair and frustration of living in a bleak and gloomy world. This is also where one is able to find the beauty and wonders of reality.

Having released How would you like to be spat at in January 2005, they managed to prove, not only to themselves but also to the attentive masses, they stand securely with both feet on the ground in an experimental, tentative world of pitch-black music. The drastic development this band has undergone over the years clearly indicates their uniqueness when it comes to experimentation and alteration, musically as well as personally. In hope to inspire and enthuse, The Provenance incessantly continues to pound the shape of uniform, homogeneous and narrow-minded conceptions of the music scene at large. The Swedes have always embraced the notion of artistic exploration and development and consistently return with a fresh musical approach incomparable to each and every one of their previous releases, including the awe-inspiring work of 2001's 25th hour; bleeding, 2003's Still at arms length and 2005's How would you like to be spat at.

Leaving Scarlet Records behind in 2005, the band strives onward with their fourth full-length release Red flags, due 2006 on Peaceville Records so the bands future looks brighter than ever before.

Through various hardships and ordeals, in the face of mundane everyday life intrusions, this dark and restless quintet has constantly stuck together. They have stood and delivered, year by year, album by album and thus, unsurprisingly, the number of followers has steadily increased. With Red flags the band makes perfectly clear they will stand even taller, see even clearer and speak even louder. There is definitely an undeniable straightforwardness in correlation with Red Flags and the lyrics and music portray the aggressive, heartbroken and cynical insights of what life may and most frequently does bring. It is time to put up a fight and stare the wretchedness and cruelty of mankind dead in the eye. Pull yourselves together and let us take this final step together and collectively walk into the mouth of oblivion. Raise your flags people, for revolution will come and the leaders have already been appointed.

So, to all devotees of dim and expressionistic music, no matter in what casing; this is The Provenance of 2006, reluctant to look back. This is The Provenance, the official sponsors of the end.

Catching Scarlet in the Sun
The Provenance Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you really that stupid,
Such a fool to think I'd give a damn?
What's yours is yours, not mine
I really can't be bothered anymore!

You look real pretty,
With that gun in your mouth
I give you that...

Your smile is godlike,
But I'd skip those tears.

I'm headed for excitement,
Care to join me?
I wouldn't mind at all.
It's just that
I really can't be bothered anymore!

I didn't mean for the window to get stained!
But that scarlet sure looks catching in the sun.
I didn't mean for the window to get stained!
But that scarlet sure looks catching in the sun.
And her smile,
And her gun...

You look real pretty,
With that gun in your mouth
I sure feel pretty
Won't bother
Nevermore!

Yes, you are pretty,
With that gun in your mouth
I give you that...

Your smile is godlike,
But loose the tears!

Overall Meaning

The Provenance's song Catching Scarlet in the Sun is a dark and cryptic track. The lyrics suggest a feeling of disconnection and apathy towards a person or situation. The singer of the song expresses their lack of concern towards someone who they believe is foolish and stupid. The opening lines, "Are you really that stupid, Such a fool to think I'd give a damn?" indicate that the singer has given up on this person and doesn't care about their actions or thoughts. This lack of interest is further emphasized in the chorus, "I really can't be bothered anymore!"

The song takes a disturbing turn in the second verse, with the line "You look real pretty, With that gun in your mouth." It suggests that the singer is observing someone contemplating suicide and finds it almost aesthetically pleasing. The use of the word "godlike" to describe the person's smile further emphasizes the singer's twisted fascination with the situation. The chorus repeats, with the singer continuing to express their apathy towards the situation.

The final lines of the song take a violent turn, with the repetition of "I didn't mean for the window to get stained! But that scarlet sure looks catching in the sun." It's unclear whether the singer caused harm to the person with the gun or someone else, but it's clear that they are not apathetic towards violence. The final repetition of "You look real pretty, With that gun in your mouth" takes on a sinister tone.

Line by Line Meaning

Are you really that stupid,
Do you lack intelligence to believe that I care?

Such a fool to think I'd give a damn?
You are naive to think I show any concern.

What's yours is yours, not mine
I have no obligation to take part in your affairs.

I really can't be bothered anymore!
I am not willing to engage in this any longer.

You look real pretty,
You appear visually attractive.

With that gun in your mouth
Your display of violence is quite intimidating.

I give you that...
I acknowledge your appeal.

Your smile is godlike,
Your grin is impressive and alluring.

But I'd skip those tears.
However, your crying does not complement your appearance.

I'm headed for excitement,
I am pursuing an exhilarating experience.

Care to join me?
Are you interested in accompanying me?