The name, The Raveonettes, is a direct reference to The Ronettes, and Buddy Holly's song Rave On!.
Their songs juxtapose the structural and chordal simplicity of 50s and 60s rock with intense electric instrumentation, driving beats and often dark lyrical content, similar to another of the band's influences, The Velvet Underground. Altogether, they sound very much like a slightly more melodic version of The Jesus and Mary Chain.
http://www.theraveonettes.com
On April 4th, 2011, they released "Raven in the Grave", a nine-track studio album with Vice Records. It's their 5th studio album.
From their site bio:
“I think we have finally hit on something quite important and different for this album,” explains Sune. “This is the first Raveonettes album we've done which doesn't feature the signature Raveonettes surf drumbeat. None of the tunes have any real sunshine to them. It’s all very un-Rave.”
“It has a mood of ethereal defiance” Sharin adds. “It’s dark but not bleak, like the single minded determination caused by crisis that is not quite hope but just as powerful. It’s the perfect winter soundtrack just in time for spring”.
LUST
The Raveonettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be with you in hell
My sin's not quite seven
Nothing much to tell
Lust I haven't craved
A sainted boy I'm not
I take it to my grave
I ride these ropes alone
Beneath the sulfur sky
Everywhere I roam
Life is one big lie
When the fireball goes down
Out by LA waste
I come into town
But only for a day
If starving in bed means
I pray for you to understand
The man sure is sleek
But lost was my hand
I struggle and I cry
I pounce with no revenge
At least I never lied
Or took the truth to rail
The lyrics of The Raveonettes's song, "Lust," depicts a conflicted individual who has fallen out of heaven and into hell, seeking to satisfy their carnal desires without remorse. The lyrics suggest an inner turmoil within the individual as they reflect upon their past sins and try to reconcile them with their present cravings. The very first line of the song sets a dark and moody tone, as the singer acknowledges their fall from grace and their current state of being in hell. Despite being guilty of sin, they reassure themselves that their sins are not particularly noteworthy, indicating a degree of resignation towards their behavior.
The second stanza further reinforces the singer's inner conflict, stating that they have never craved lust but at the same time acknowledging that they are not exactly a sainted boy. They claim that they will take their secrets to the grave, suggesting a deep-seated shame and guilt that they cannot shake off. The third stanza paints a picture of the singer's isolation, riding ropes alone beneath a sulfur sky and admitting that life is one big lie.
The final stanza brings a sense of closure to the narrative, with the singer acknowledging that they are but a passing visitor in LA's waste. The final lines indicate that they have suffered greatly, struggling and crying without getting the closure they desire. But, they at least have the satisfaction of knowing that they never lied, indicating a sense of moral superiority despite their sins.
Line by Line Meaning
I fell out of heaven
I left my pure and innocent state to be with you despite the darkness of the situation.
To be with you in hell
I chose to be with you even when it meant being in a difficult or unpleasant situation.
My sin's not quite seven
Although I have made mistakes, they do not amount to a great deal.
Nothing much to tell
There isn't anything interesting or noteworthy about my misdeeds.
Lust I haven't craved
Despite what others may believe, I have not had a strong desire for sexual pleasure.
A sainted boy I'm not
I am not a holy or righteous person; I have my flaws and weaknesses.
I take it to my grave
I will keep my secrets and regrets with me until I die.
A side cursed on rot
I have done bad things and made poor choices that will always be a part of me.
I ride these ropes alone
I face my problems and challenges on my own, without anyone to support or help me.
Beneath the sulfur sky
I endure hardships and struggles in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Everywhere I roam
No matter where I go or what I do, I carry my burdens and past mistakes with me.
Life is one big lie
I feel that everything around me is fake or insincere, and that nothing can be trusted.
When the fireball goes down
At the end of the day, after all is said and done.
Out by LA waste
In the desolate and unpopulated parts of Los Angeles.
I come into town
I return to civilization or to a more populated area.
But only for a day
I cannot stay long, as I have other things to do or people to avoid.
If starving in bed means
Even if I am in great need or deprivation.
I pray for you to understand
I hope that you can empathize with my situation or forgive me for my mistakes.
The man sure is sleek
Although he appears polished and attractive.
But lost was my hand
He has caused me to suffer or lose something that I valued.
I struggle and I cry
I endure hardships and pain, and it takes an emotional toll on me.
I pounce with no revenge
Despite the desire to retaliate or seek vengeance, I choose not to.
At least I never lied
I may have made mistakes or committed sins, but I have always been truthful and sincere about it.
Or took the truth to rail
I have never used honesty as a weapon or to hurt others, but rather as a way to express myself and seek understanding.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sune Rose Wagner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oatless
I fell out of heaven
To be with you in hell
My sin's not quite seven
Nothing much to tell
Lust I haven't craved
A saintly boy I'm not
I'll take it to my grave
Beside it cursed I'll rot
I ride these roads alone
Beneath the sulfur sky
Everywhere I roam
Life is one big lie
When the fireball goes down
Out by L.A. ways
I come into town
But only for a day
Starving on my knees
A prayer for you to understand
A man sure is weak
But lust holds my hand
I struggled and I cried
I pounced with no avail
At least I never lied
Or did the truth derail
Juan Rios
13 years later. Dam!! this song never fails!!!
broop
A friend showed this to me, like, 3 years ago, around '07. I think it was near the time that Lust Lust Lust was released, and after that, I had it bookmarked. I kept listening to it over and over and over again, and I FINALLY got a hold of all of their albums a few weeks after. I LOVE these guys SO MUCH.
Oatless
I fell out of heaven
To be with you in hell
My sin's not quite seven
Nothing much to tell
Lust I haven't craved
A saintly boy I'm not
I'll take it to my grave
Beside it cursed I'll rot
I ride these roads alone
Beneath the sulfur sky
Everywhere I roam
Life is one big lie
When the fireball goes down
Out by L.A. ways
I come into town
But only for a day
Starving on my knees
A prayer for you to understand
A man sure is weak
But lust holds my hand
I struggled and I cried
I pounced with no avail
At least I never lied
Or did the truth derail
Ben Joye
I'm liking this band quite a lot lately. Everything they do is understated, but very Indie like. They are an ethereal elegance in a melancholy wrapper.. They have their own unique melodic sound, not a copy of some other act.
Advanced Techniques Institute
+Ben Joye Not to mention the copious reverb.
Daniel Soto
+Dennis Reynolds The Raveonettes is a Danish indie-rock duo from Copenhagen, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo.
Luckey
+Dennis Reynolds I agree, but... "Indie" has an hard meaning: at start was "something not commercial" - little unknowed bands in little far cities and somethings like... but now it's also just a general music genre - and this happened in few years (mon dieu!): in 2005 wasn't so!
Anyway, to me The Raveonettes are still "Indie" - it's just a word, but sometimes it works :3
(I'm really sorry for my english, it's not my first language.)
Dennis Reynolds
I wouldn't say "indie".. They've played live before The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Saw them here in Australia, was amazing. I would definitely say they are not indie haha, indie is just a word that is annoying now, like "hipster".
elfinmer
Mesmerizing, hypnotizing... how to come back retro music to the present with fresh ideas... and a lot of nostalgia
cirssj433
I'll never get tired of this song