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.
Climbing Ideals
The Provenance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
am I so hard to understand?
I'm against the norm, you're indifferent,
Is that a reason to hang me high?
I've lived the guilt you all gave me
and I have seen it through.
I've learned you can't exclude me
even if the norm is you.
Don't drag me down, I'll just climb up again.
I have lived the shame of not being
someone who fits in your world,
no more; I won't go back there!
So I can die like a part of your herd.
I've learned you can't exclude me
even if the norm is you.
I've learned you can't delude me;
my field of vision has grown wider too.
You'd better watch out cause
you've crossed the wrong path.
Stay the hell away or
I'll be sure to show you wrath.
Step out from your fantasy
and meet the real world;
it's not your usual playground
for your pitiful herd.
Now, leave me be, leave me here to make my peace.
Set me free, I'll show no fear for this release.
Can't you see, can't you see I'm dying here?
Let it bleed, I was meant to climb ideals.
Don't count me out, it's just your ego speaking.
Don't drag me down, I'll just climb up again.
The Provenance's song "Climbing Ideals" is a powerful anthem about the struggle of not fitting in with the norm and feeling excluded from society. The lyrics express the frustration of being judged and criticized for being different and not conforming to social expectations. The singer questions if they are truly so different and hard to understand because they go against the norm while the rest of society remains indifferent.
The song notes the guilt that society imposes on individuals for not fitting in and the struggle that comes with it. But despite the societal pressure, the singer has chosen to not let themselves be excluded or deluded by the norm that society has created. The song expresses a fierce determination to climb their own ideals despite being judged and criticized.
In the end, the song speaks to the struggle of finding peace and acceptance in oneself when the world around them is full of conformity and judgment. The lyrics are a rallying cry for those who have felt excluded and shamed by society but have chosen to climb their own ideals and find peace in their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
In your eyes, am I so different,
Do you view me as someone who is fundamentally unusual?
am I so hard to understand?
Is it difficult for you to comprehend me?
I'm against the norm, you're indifferent,
I do not go along with societal expectations, but you do not care.
Is that a reason to hang me high?
Does that justify ostracizing me?
I've lived the guilt you all gave me
I have experienced the shame that was forced upon me by society.
and I have seen it through.
But I persevered despite it all.
I've learned you can't exclude me
I have come to understand that no matter how much you try, you cannot push me out.
even if the norm is you.
Even if it means going against what is considered normal or standard for you.
Don't count me out, it's just your ego speaking.
Do not write me off just because of your arrogance and conceit.
Don't drag me down, I'll just climb up again.
Do not attempt to bring me down, because I will always rise above it.
I have lived the shame of not being
I have felt the embarrassment of not conforming to your expectations.
someone who fits in your world,
Someone who can live up to your standards.
no more; I won't go back there!
But I refuse to return to that position any longer!
So I can die like a part of your herd.
I refuse to be just another face in the crowd that fits into your mold.
I've learned you can't delude me;
I know you cannot deceive or trick me.
my field of vision has grown wider too.
In fact, I have expanded my outlook beyond what you consider to be acceptable.
You'd better watch out cause
You should be cautious because
you've crossed the wrong path.
You have made a mistake by going against me.
Stay the hell away or
Stay far and clear from me,
I'll be sure to show you wrath.
Or you will certainly experience my anger.
Step out from your fantasy
Wake up from your delusion
and meet the real world;
And see the truth that surrounds you.
it's not your usual playground
It is not the place where you are accustomed to having your way.
for your pitiful herd.
For the group that blindly agrees with you.
Now, leave me be, leave me here to make my peace.
Now, let me be alone, to come to terms with things on my own.
Set me free, I'll show no fear for this release.
Allow me to be liberated, I will have no reservations in embracing my freedom.
Can't you see, can't you see I'm dying here?
Can you not see that I am struggling and suffocating in this situation?
Let it bleed, I was meant to climb ideals.
Let me thrive by going against the norm, that is what I was meant to do.
Don't count me out, it's just your ego speaking.
Do not underestimate me, it is simply your overconfidence talking.
Don't drag me down, I'll just climb up again.
Do not try to bring me down, because I will always rise back up.
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ladd Everitt
THIS is the s**t. Love it!