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”.
The Truth About Johnny
The Raveonettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Johnny where you been
Can't say the night was long
And girls were out oh fun
That's when I caught a glimpse of you
Across the street black leather boots
With cigarette in mouth
Dating prostitutes
Was alright now
That's when I came
To realize
I've been dead for so long
What a surprise
Johnny
The Raveonettes's song The Truth About Johnny is a reflection on the life of a man named Johnny. The lyrics begin by asking where Johnny has been, suggesting that he has been absent or has been off doing something questionable. The next lines describe a night where the singer saw Johnny across the street, wearing black leather boots. This image suggests that Johnny has a rebellious or edgy persona.
As the song progresses, the singer describes how they learned that Johnny was dating prostitutes and how this was seen as acceptable. The line "That's when I came to realize I've been dead for so long" adds a depressing tone to the song, suggesting that the singer has been living a life that lacks excitement or meaning. The final line "What a surprise" adds a touch of sarcasm, as if the singer has accepted that their life is lacking in excitement and is not surprised by this realization.
Overall, The Truth About Johnny is a commentary on the way society views certain behaviours and how people can become disillusioned with their own lives. The song creates a sense of sadness and resignation, while also portraying Johnny as a figure who is able to live life on his own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny where you been
Hey Johnny, where have you been?
Johnny where you been
I'm asking again, Johnny, where have you been?
Can't say the night was long
Even though the night wasn't very long,
And girls were out oh fun
Lots of girls were having a lot of fun outside,
That's when I caught a glimpse of you
At that moment I saw you briefly,
Across the street black leather boots
You were wearing black leather boots and were across the street,
That's when I learned
It was then that I discovered
With cigarette in mouth
You had a cigarette in your mouth,
Dating prostitutes
You were dating prostitutes,
Was alright now
And that was okay for you,
That's when I came
It was then when I realized
To realize
And I finally understood,
I've been dead for so long
That I've been feeling lifeless for a long time,
What a surprise
And it was a shock to me to realize this,
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sune Rose Wagner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind