The band has released three albums, 2006's "Broken Boy Soldiers", 2008's Consolers of the Lonely and 2019's Help Us Stranger.
Dean Fertita from The Waxwings did live keyboards for the band in 2006; he also played in Brendan Benson's band and is now touring with Queens Of The Stone Age, and is a member of White and Lawrence's band The Dead Weather.
The band had to change their name in Australia, since there already was a band named The Raconteurs there. The band is referred to as The Saboteurs in Australia.
Bored and Razed
The Raconteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trolling myself in the mirror at night
Keeping an eye on my grindstone future
Staying away from the left and the right
California born and raised
But these days
She's living with another
What a waste
And I'm still thinking of her
Laying the cardinal sins on the table
Pouring the coffee out on the grounds
Changing the losses to wins if I'm able
Switching the pitch to an audible sound
Running the rounds of the mundane soldier
Trading the cards and erasing the names
Feeling a pounding, insane, colder
Sounding, system, feeding the flames
Well I'm Detroit bored and razed
But these days
I'm living with another
You tell me she can be replaced
But that's not the case
I'm so lost without her
Rolling a juke joint box in the corner
Trolling myself in the mirror at night
Keeping an eye on my grindstone future
Staying away from the left and the right
The lyrics of Bored and Razed, a song by The Raconteurs, is a reflection on the mundane, lackluster aspects of life that surround the singer. He rolls a juke joint in the corner, trolling himself in the mirror, and tries to keep himself focused on a potential promising future with his grindstone. He strives to stay away from the left and the right, highlighting his journey toward self-discovery and identity formation. The singer reminisces about a woman he knew, born and raised in California, who is now living with someone else. He seems infatuated with her despite her plastic features and perfect face, something which he considers a waste. The singer feels lost without the woman and wonders if she can ever be truly replaced.
In the second stanza, he lays the cardinal sins on the table, referring to a religious concept where seven sins are considered to be immoral or a vice. He pours coffee out on the grounds, which may be symbolic of his desire to break free from mundane routines. The singer embraces a more positive outlook on life by changing losses to wins and audible pitches. He's aware of the military life, where mundane soldiers are constrained to a routine that they cannot escape. The singer sounds crazy as he feeds the flame – perhaps an allusion to the feeling of intense emotions that can lead to insanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling a juke joint box in the corner
Sitting idly by, rolling a joint and filling the room with music.
Trolling myself in the mirror at night
Examining every aspect of one's self until boredom sets in.
Keeping an eye on my grindstone future
Focusing on the future without losing sight of hard work.
Staying away from the left and the right
Avoiding political affiliations and remaining neutral.
California born and raised
Growing up in California.
But these days
Currently.
She's living with another
She's with someone else.
Plastic features, perfect face
Referring to someone with superficial, surface level beauty.
What a waste
A comment on the emptiness of physical attraction alone.
And I'm still thinking of her
Can't forget or get over her.
Laying the cardinal sins on the table
Disclosing one's most heinous actions and thoughts.
Pouring the coffee out on the grounds
Wasting time, effort and energy on useless or unimportant matters.
Changing the losses to wins if I'm able
Mentally shifting the perception of negative outcomes.
Switching the pitch to an audible sound
Making a change in tune or mindset and declaring it verbally.
Running the rounds of the mundane soldier
Going through the motions of everyday life with lackluster enthusiasm.
Trading the cards and erasing the names
Starting anew and moving on from past mistakes or relationships.
Feeling a pounding, insane, colder
Experiencing emotional distress or turmoil.
Sounding, system, feeding the flames
Maintaining a certain level of chaos to keep things exciting.
Well I'm Detroit bored and razed
Feeling disenchanted with life, as if affected by the city's economic downturn.
But these days
Currently.
I'm living with another
In a different relationship.
You tell me she can be replaced
Others suggest that true love can be found elsewhere.
But that's not the case
Unable to move on or love anyone else in the same way.
I'm so lost without her
Dependent on the person in question.
Rolling a juke joint box in the corner
Repeating mundane habits to drown out the turmoil within.
Trolling myself in the mirror at night
Being overly critical of oneself to the point of exhaustion.
Keeping an eye on my grindstone future
Striving for success despite feeling stuck in place.
Staying away from the left and the right
Avoiding the division and extremes of politics and society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brendan Benson, John Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Foster
My cousin was Pat Keeler’s drum teacher from age 8-18. Had the pleasure of watching this tour on stage in Cincinnati. They kicked off the show with this tune. Unbelievable show!!
Narada C
Judging by the songs released so far, this album is already a killer!
Suggested Listening
Narada C Hoping it’s better than consolers
Anonymous Goat
yep
Andrew Guitar Covers
Suggested Listening tough to do
Sean Frayne
Yep agreed, really enjoying their new stuff. Also if anyone's interested, I have a few new releases over on my channel. Would love to know what you lot think.
TeddyOG
I'm very impressed and I've only stumbled onto this album today. I hadn't heard a damn thing about the reunion lol. Fuck yeah
James Wygant
I want this song to be infinitely longer than it is. That chorus is huge.
Amy Durre
Don't know about anyone else but I feel they get better with every song, if that is possible because they already kick some serious ASS!!!!!!!!!! Good job boys!!
lucy holt
I can’t stop playing this. Perfect summer song! Love the chorus.