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.
We Danced Together
The Rakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
5 stories removed from the trouble on the street
The sun arose revealing goose bumps on your arm
A sign that we should move together somewhere warm.
[Chorus]
We danced together [Repeat]
And ran among the debris as the bullets flew.
Helicopters circled overhead to get a better view
We found a doorway, fell in and I held you.
[Chorus]
We didn't have no where to go
Waiting for the daylight to begin
Singer, save our secular souls
How can you have hope with no God?
We didn't give a shit about what they would say...
And stayed up until the light turned our world/eyes grey.
We caned our money like it was our last day
Two fingers up at those who wont miss us when we pass away
The Rakes's song "We Danced Together" is a commentary on the power of human connections in the face of societal turmoil. The opening verse details a scene where the two protagonists have taken refuge on a roof at a party, five stories above the chaos that has engulfed the street below. Despite the violence and danger outside, the two find solace in each other's company, and their dancing seems to serve as a way of transcending the brutality of the world around them. The bright light of daybreak brings with it a reminder that they cannot remain there forever, and they must find somewhere warmer to continue their dance.
The chorus repeats the central theme of the song, emphasizing the importance of dancing together as a way of finding connection and meaning amidst the chaos and confusion of life. This is further emphasized in the second verse, where the two are forced to flee into the street as bullets fly and helicopters circle overhead. In the midst of this madness, they find themselves drawn to each other even more strongly, seeking comfort and protection in each other's embrace.
The final verse takes a more introspective turn, questioning the ultimate meaning of their actions and their place in the world. As they wait for daylight to come, the singer wonders aloud about the role of art and religion in giving us hope and purpose in a world that often seems devoid of both. The final lines of the song suggest a defiant refusal to be intimidated by the forces of society and a determination to live life on their own terms, with two fingers raised to those who would seek to oppress, control, or ignore them.
Line by Line Meaning
We danced together on the roof at the party,
We shared a moment of intimacy and happiness by dancing on the rooftop, away from the dangers lurking in the streets.
5 stories removed from the trouble on the street
We were isolated from the chaos and turmoil happening in the streets, at a safe distance of five stories up.
The sun arose revealing goose bumps on your arm
As the sun rose, it exposed the goosebumps on your skin, indicating that we needed to find warmth together.
A sign that we should move together somewhere warm.
Seeing your goosebumps was an indication that we should find a warmer, more inviting place to be together.
[Chorus] We danced together [Repeat]
The chorus repeats the idea that our dancing together was a moment that we cherished and repeated.
We moved to the street where they tried to hold curfew
We moved to the street to challenge the authority that was trying to impose a curfew on us, to live life on our own terms.
And ran among the debris as the bullets flew.
Despite the danger, we still ran through the debris and gunshots, perhaps fueled by adrenaline and a sense of rebellion.
Helicopters circled overhead to get a better view
The authorities were surveilling us, trying to intimidate us from rebelling or living freely.
We found a doorway, fell in and I held you.
We sought refuge together and found solace in each other's arms.
[Chorus] We danced together [Repeat]
The chorus repeats that our dancing together was a moment of joy and love.
We didn't have no where to go
We were lost and directionless, searching for a path forward.
Waiting for the daylight to begin
We were waiting for a sense of clarity and hope, represented by the daylight emerging after a long night.
Singer, save our secular souls
We were seeking guidance and solace from music or art, hoping it would help us navigate our lives.
How can you have hope with no God?
We were questioning how someone can believe in a brighter future or humanity when there is no divine power or guidance to lean on.
We didn't give a shit about what they would say...
We were unafraid of what others thought of us or our actions, living carefree and rebellious lives.
And stayed up until the light turned our world/eyes grey.
We stayed up all night, living and loving with abandon, until the world around us turned grey with the light of day.
We caned our money like it was our last day
We spent our money recklessly, living in the moment and not worrying about the future.
Two fingers up at those who wont miss us when we pass away
We were defiant towards those who didn't understand us or our way of life, knowing that they wouldn't miss us when we were gone.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN DONOHOE, JAMES HORN-SMITH, LASSE PETERSEN, MATTHEW SWINNERTON, MATTHEW JAMES SWINNERTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SAB Tvk
So underrated this song still playing in 2020
zimzimzalabim
I loved this song when I first heard it 10 years ago, and I love it still... can't believe it's been that long. Only 97K views don't do it justice. It needs to be reuploaded in HD without blocking that line when he says "We didn't give a shit about what they were saying"... it's 2017. We really don't give a shit about it.
md aiyad
We want more!
a ok
zimzimzalabim yeah i was expecting a million views at least! Thought they were somehow franz ferdinand famous or some sort
vpecc118
this makes me smile. you gents are amazing.
Sylvie Drion
Come back The Rakes, we need more !!!
Austin Jantz
2K18 and this song is still bringing on the the good times.
VIPIN Cv
good song. love it ...
Alexandra Lúshius
Muy buena!
RockersAndHoppers
I miss The Rakes.