They released their third and final album Klang in 2009 which included the singles 1989 and That's the Reason.
In October 2009, The Rakes announced that the band was to split with immediate effect: "The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100% to every gig we’ve ever played. If we can’t give it everything then we won’t do it. That was the rule we set ourselves from day one".
Their style can be described as "lo-fi" indie and is vaguely reminiscent of early Joy Division with some catchy guitar riffs and intelligent and humorous lyrics.
Singer Alan Donahoe has a project called Champagne Campaign and drummer Lasse Peterson went on to join Wolf Gang.
Terror!
The Rakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the haunted hotel
Got a really bad feeling
In my lungs and my bones
Science can't save you
And your parents are away
On holiday in Mexico
The haunted hotel
In a dream that I've been having
Has got me waking up sweating
Afraid to turn on the news
My internal dialogue
Is rutted and confused
Trying to find some peace and quiet
But the damage was done
And my job in the city won't matter no more
When the network is down and my flesh is all torn
Baby stay here
In the shadow of the buildings
In familiar surroundings
In your safety zone
Every plane is a missile
Every suitcase a bomb
There's no reason in my head now
Only fear in my bones
The Rakes's song Terror! speaks about the looming sense of dread and anxiety brought about by the threat of terrorism. The lyrics paint a picture of a person feeling a bad sensation in their body, afraid to go to a haunted hotel due to their intuition of an impending danger. The mention of science and the absence of the person's parents give an impression of helplessness and vulnerability. Even the safety of one's home and familiar surroundings can no longer give comfort as every plane and suitcase can be a potential threat.
The chorus emphasizes the sense of impending doom, and the futility of worrying about work or other mundane things when faced with such danger. The internal dialogue of the person is full of confusion, unable to find a sense of peace despite seeking it out. The fear is no longer just in their mind, but in their bones.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby don't go
Do not leave.
To the haunted hotel
Avoid going to the hotel known to be haunted.
Got a really bad feeling
Experiencing intense discomfort.
In my lungs and my bones
Feeling unwell and uneasy.
Science can't save you
Technology cannot protect and rescue you from danger.
And your parents are away
Your guardians are not present.
On holiday in Mexico
On vacation in another country.
Buying trinkets in the town
Purchasing small, inexpensive items in the local area.
The haunted hotel
The hotel with a history of paranormal activity.
In a dream that I've been having
In a reoccurring nightmare.
Has got me waking up sweating
Causing me to awaken perspiring.
Afraid to turn on the news
Scared of discovering perilous news stories.
My internal dialogue
My inner thoughts and concerns.
Is rutted and confused
Clouded and jumbled.
Trying to find some peace and quiet
Struggling to achieve tranquility.
But the damage was done
The negative consequences of past events persist.
And my job in the city won't matter no more
My occupation will become irrelevant.
When the network is down and my flesh is all torn
During a catastrophic event where communication and physical harm are severely disrupted.
Baby stay here
Remain in the current location.
In the shadow of the buildings
Within the proximity of structures.
In familiar surroundings
In recognizable and comfortable environments.
In your safety zone
In a secure area.
Every plane is a missile
All aircraft pose a potential threat.
Every suitcase a bomb
All luggage could have explosive devices.
There's no reason in my head now
I cannot find logic or rationality.
Only fear in my bones
Overwhelmed by trepidation and concern.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN DONOHOE, JAMES HORN-SMITH, LASSE PETERSEN, MATTHEW SWINNERTON, MATTHEW JAMES SWINNERTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind