In 1995, The Radio Dept. was formed by Elin Almered and Johan Duncanson (who were old school friends). The name was taken from a gas station/radio repair shop in Lund, Sweden, which had a large sign with the name Radioavdelningen, ("The Radio Department" in Swedish) hanging outside their shop.
Since 1995 members have been coming and going and at some points there has never really been a Radio Department at all.
Martin Carlberg and Johan Duncanson started playing together in 1998 and decided to use the name The Radio Dept. Since then the band has done lots of gigs and lots of recordings. The Radio Dept. recorded 4-tracks in friends' living rooms or at home, in smelly warehouse, in demo studios with blinking fluorescent lightning and at schools.
In the autumn of 2001 Lisa Carlberg and Per Blomgren (Bass & drums respectively), joined the band and they started rehearsing in the way bands so often do. Soon afterwards they were all joined by Daniel Tjader on the keyboards. Their recordings were sent to the music magazine Sonic and got a nice review. They were also on the free CD sampler that comes with the magazine. That's where Labrador Records discovered and learned to love the band. Now they're a part of Swedish indie label, Comings and goings
Original band member, Elin Almered, left the band before the recording of The Radio Dept.'s debut (lesser matters), but still made an appearance singing vocals for "Strange Things Will Happen".
Per Blomgren, Drummer, left the band before the release of Lesser Matters. The band opted instead for digital assistance with regards to drums & percussions for their songs.
Lisa Carlberg, bassist, departed from the Radio Dept soon after the release of "This past week EP". The band no longer felt the need for a member that solely specialized in bass. The band was taking a new direction and preparing for their second album, "Pet Grief", which wouldn't require a member that played bass guitar.
The current line up of the band is:
Johan Duncanson (Guitar & Vocals), Martin Carlberg(Guitar) and Daniel Tjäder (Keyboards & Synth) (2006).
More details can be found on the radio dept. website: theradiodept.com.
Record Labels.
Slottet:
Created in 2001, this is the Radio Dept's original label. Created & managed by the band themselves. They published and distributed their own recordings in order to spread their music to the world.
The "Against The Tide EP" & coveted "Annie Laurie EP" were both released on this label in 2002.
At sporadic moments over the years, whenever the band have wanted to release something quickly or for free, they'd do so through the Slottet label (e.g. bachelor Kisses in 2008).
Labrador :
After the success of the self released records and some glittering reviews in local publications, several major labels came calling. The Radio Dept. rejected most of these offers and instead signed with Labrador records. Although the band don't consider themselves connected ideologically or musically with Labrador and the other bands on the label, they have much respect for the label which has officially become the home of The Radio Dept.
Shelflife records:
Shelflife are an american indie label that operate on a similar philosophy to that of Sarah Records. They select highly innovative, creative & melodic bands and offer them transatlantic distribution. Several labrador bands had achieved success through shelflife, so it seemed an obvious choice to use them again for the distribution of 'Lesser Matters'. No futher Radio Dept records were released through shelflife.
Rex records:
Rex records was an London based experimental indie label started by an ex-XL employee. The aim was to release demos and promote leftfield indie music. Only two Radio Dept. records were released on Rex, Why Won't You Talk About It and the rare Liebling 7".
XL Recordings:
During 2004/05, XL funded, distributed and promoted The Radio Dept.
During this short partnership 4 records were released. Lesser Matters, Where Damage Isn't Already Done, Why Won't You Talk About It? and Ewan. A short european tour was organised for the band as well as lots of press and an appearance on an XL compilation with the likes of Ratatat & MIA.
Track & Field Records:
Track & Field are another London based record label that took a chance on The Radio Dept.
In 2006 Track & Field were employed to distribute Pet Grief in the UK. They also promoted the band and planned for an extensive UK tour. This plan was abandoned and a series of special one-off London shows were organised to supplant the tour.
Pony Canyon:
After years as an experienced distributor of DVD's & kids toys, Pony Canyon, tried their hand at promoting & distributing indie records. So far they've only distributed a special edition of Pet Grief in Japan.
Soundtrack
Three tracks by the Radio Dept. have been featured on the Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette (2006). They are: Pulling our Weight, Keen on Boys, I Don't Like It Like This.
You Stopped Making Sense
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You stopped making sense
You forgot about your friends
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
That's all I want
You believe in sin
But of course there's no such thing
Just like there's no Santa
No equality before the law
No people without flaws
You forgot all about us
And for what cause?
You believe the lie
Saying you won't die
I know you were scared but so am I
That's why I can't lose you
Whatever they told you
I'm dying to hold you
Don't let them blindfold you
Don't say goodbye
The Radio Dept.’s song 'You Stopped Making Sense' talks about the aftermath of a religious transformation. The singer is a concerned and heartbroken friend, who addresses the changes that the singer has undergone after letting God into their life. The opening lines, "You stopped making sense, you forgot about your friends" are an exasperated yet sincere expression about the singer's detachment from their secular life, societal norms, and their close relationships. The phrase "you stopped making sense" not only refers to the singer's inability to connect with the singer but also signifies their unstable mindset due to religious influences.
The lyrics critique religious fallacies- the denial of individual flaws, the belief in the concept of sin, and equality before the law. The singer mourns the loss of a great friendship and questions the singer's decision to abandon their loved ones without a proper explanation. He tries to reason with his friend, telling them that death is inevitable, and believing that it isn't, due to God's intervention, is a mere fallacy. The lines "Whatever they told you, I'm dying to hold you, don't let them blindfold you" depict the singer's desperation to bring the singer back to reality and reassure them that they have not lost everything.
In conclusion, 'You Stopped Making Sense' is a poignant song that delves into themes of friendship, spirituality, and personal transformation. The lyrics are a lamentation of how a religious experience can lead to the loss of the self, the disposal of secular beliefs, and the abandonment of those who once meant the world to us.
Line by Line Meaning
You stopped making sense
Your words and actions are no longer logical or understandable
You forgot about your friends
You have neglected the people who care about you
I want to come closer
I desire emotional intimacy with you
That's all I want
My sole request is to be closer to you
Since you let God in
Ever since you became religious
You believe in sin
You subscribe to the concept of wrongdoing and morality as dictated by religion
But of course there's no such thing
However, sin is a purely human construct with no real-world evidence
Just like there's no Santa
Similarly, the concept of a mythical gift-giving figure is also non-existent
No equality before the law
The law does not treat everyone fairly and equally
No people without flaws
Everyone has imperfections and shortcomings
You forgot all about us
You have disregarded our relationship and bond
And for what cause?
Why did you forsake us?
You believe the lie
You accept a falsehood as truth
Saying you won't die
Believing that you are immortal and will not face death
I know you were scared but so am I
I understand that you were frightened, but I am also afraid
That's why I can't lose you
This is why I cannot bear to be without you
Whatever they told you
Regardless of what they might have said to you
I'm dying to hold you
I have a desperate yearning to embrace you
Don't let them blindfold you
Do not allow yourself to be deceived or misguided
Don't say goodbye
Do not bid me farewell
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ComicalDead
ou stopped making sense
You stopped making sense
You forgot about your friends
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
That's all I want
Since you let God in
You believe in sin
But of course there's no such thing
Just like there's no Santa
No equality before the law
No people without flaws
You forgot all about us
And for what cause?
You believe the lie
Saying you won't die
I know you were scared but so am I
That's why I can't lose you
Whatever they told you
I'm dying to hold you
Don't let them blindfold you
Don't say goodbye.
@thayscostawinning
I think the lyrics talks about a homosexual love affected by religion, if you pay attention in the last two paragraphs, you will understand this.
''You stopped making sense
You stopped making sense
You forgot about your friends
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
That's all I want
Since you let God in
You believe in sin
But of course there's no such thing
Just like there's no Santa
No equality before the law
No people without flaws
You forgot all about us
And for what cause?
You believe the lie
Saying you won't die
I know you were scared but so am I
That's why I can't lose you
Whatever they told you
I'm dying to hold you
Don't let them blindfold you
Don't say goodbye.''
@GrahamNificent
This is forever the tragic friend-breakup song of my late 20s... describes exactly how i feel about myself sometimes, and the bizarre circumstances that have led me to distance myself from a lot of people
@alexdaigle9064
That's why I can't lose you
Whatever they told you
I'm dying to hold you
Don't let them blindfold you
Don't say goodbye...
Beautiful lyrics :3
@abdessamadelhilali5032
Alex Daigle greaat
@Ummmmmkay88
We’re friends now ❤
@hexis23
Madly in love with this band... So deep, charming and frank. Long live the radio dept
@ComicalDead
ou stopped making sense
You stopped making sense
You forgot about your friends
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
I want to come closer
That's all I want
Since you let God in
You believe in sin
But of course there's no such thing
Just like there's no Santa
No equality before the law
No people without flaws
You forgot all about us
And for what cause?
You believe the lie
Saying you won't die
I know you were scared but so am I
That's why I can't lose you
Whatever they told you
I'm dying to hold you
Don't let them blindfold you
Don't say goodbye.
@shoegazer5451
oh man :'(
@corkscrewfoley
@Shoegazer Right? Man this hurts.
@ThePhillkillv2
@corkscrewfoley it really does
@ofarevolution441
that little riff that comes in for the first time @2:20. beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.