Since forming in 2007, the band's combination of danceable rock and soulful songwriting (and brilliantivity) has come to life through a meticulously-crafted and ever-evolving live performance. The band has been instrumental in the growth of New Orleans’ burgeoning indie rock scene, and they have achieved success and notoriety in the city’s competitive musical landscape.
The Revivalists have proven themselves as a live act. They have managed to advance from low-profile local gigs to extensive touring, developing a loyal fan base at home and across the Gulf Coast Region and gaining footholds nationally. Abroad, they have commanded such venues as The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), Sullivan Hall (New York City), Toad’s Place (New Haven, CT), and Smith’s Olde Bar (Atlanta, GA). At home, The Revivalists are regulars at The Howlin’ Wolf, The Republic, and the legendary Tipitina’s. They have shared stages with such notable acts as Perpetual Groove, Marco Benevento, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, The Lee Boys and Snarky Puppy. Additionally, they have established themselves as an engaging festival act, winning over audiences at French Quarter Fest, Crawfest and Foburg Festival in New Orleans, Hamstock Barbecue and Music Festival in Ridgeland, MS, and The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC. Most recently, The Revivalists played the 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There, they caught the attention of Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke, who wrote about their performance on his blog on rollingstone.com.
The Revivalists have also grown as studio musicians. Their first release was listed as an editor’s pick in both the Jam and American Traditional Rock categories on CDBaby.com, despite being a humble five-song EP. Their second release, Vital Signs, is both the band’s first full-length album and a significant step forward in terms of production and scale. The young band was privileged to record under the guidance of Grammy Award-winning producer Chris Finney, whose resumé ranges from Dr. John to R.E.M. Vital Signs is the result of this collaboration. Soon after its release, Vital Signs became the top-selling album on CDBaby in the American Traditional Rock category, and was quickly selected to be featured in their newsletter.
Members:
George Gekas (bass)
Andrew Campanelli (drums)
Zack Feinberg (guitar)
David Shaw (vocals, guitar)
Ed “Steel” Williams (pedal steel guitar)
Rob Ingraham (saxophone, miscellaneous/other)
Sunny Days
The Revivalists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yep they seem to get in my way
no I kinda like a darker haze
ooh to float around up in space
so bartender be kind tonight
and fill my cup to the brim
cuz we all want to dance the night
and fill the cup
so I guess I better hold my drink real steady
cuz the vibe in the room makin me a little giddy
feel the beat in the room like a O'day in the womb
knockin clocks off the walls when the bass goes boom
So now I'm spinning round like a dreidel in a fable
guess its time to catch a cab back to rock the cradle
throw a twenty for the ride grab my keys to go inside
stop to feed my hound dog sleeping on his raw hide
so now I go inside being quiet as a mouse
slip into the bed to reveal her flower blouse
she's high man smokin on a bowl
she says "Hey David won't you get the fuck out!"
Woah oh oh oh oh oh oh ya know them sunny days
yup they seem to get in my way
no I kinda like a darker haze
ooh to float around up in space
so bartender be kind tonight
and fill my cup to the brim
cuz we all want to dance the night
and fill the cup with sin
with sin with sin with sin with sin with sin with sin
One shot for all you lovers
two shots for your queens
three for my man up at NYC
four for them girlies on the back of the bus
five shots for the women who never gonna fuss
six for my mom, seven for my dad
eight for the ladies dressin scantily clad
nine for my boys out in PCB
and ten for my love don't know why you love me
Woah oh oh oh oh oh oh ya know them sunny days
yup they seem to get in my way
no I kinda like a darker haze
ooh to float around up in space
so bartender be kind tonight
and fill my cup to the brim
cuz we all want to dance the night
and fill the cup with sin
with sin with sin with sin with sin with sin with sin
Right now I feel so connected to you
it don't matter what you do
you're on my mind
these blankets ohhh won't keep us warm
then I know I'm gonna have to lay down in your thighs...
make me cry... ohhhhhh ohhhh
The lyrics to The Revivalists' song "Sunny Days" convey a desire for escape from the mundane, sunny days that seem to get in the way. The singer seems to be seeking an alternative from the norm, a darker haze - to float around up in space. He desires to dance, and the bartender is implored to fill his cup to the brim. The intoxicating vibe in the room makes him giddy, and he becomes a part of the music that knocks the clocks off the walls when the bass goes boom.
The singer heads back to his abode after a night out and creeps into bed with his high partner, who is smoking on a bowl. She tells him to get the f*ck out as the song's chorus is repeated. The song ends on a chorus with a slightly different outro, referencing the intimate connection between the two.
The song seems to convey a theme of escape from mundanity and the desire to let loose and be carefree. The duality themes of sun and darkness are interwoven into the song, along with the depiction of the intimate relationship between lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Woah oh oh oh oh oh you know those sunny days
The singer is acknowledging the existence of happy, bright days.
yep they seem to get in my way
However, the intensity of those days can sometimes be overwhelming for him.
no I kinda like a darker haze
He prefers the mystery and depth of darker days.
ooh to float around up in space
He imagines himself drifting through the universe in a state of weightlessness.
so bartender be kind tonight
He is asking the bartender for kindness and generosity.
and fill my cup to the brim
The singer wants his drink to be filled to the top of his glass.
cuz we all want to dance the night
He wants to enjoy the night and dance together.
and fill the cup
He wants to fill his cup and enjoy the night.
so I guess I better hold my drink real steady
The singer wants to be responsible and not get too intoxicated.
cuz the vibe in the room makin me a little giddy
However, he is still feeling the buzz from the energy in the room.
feel the beat in the room like a O'day in the womb
He is connected with the rhythm of the beat in a primal way.
knockin clocks off the walls when the bass goes boom
The strength of the bass is causing the room to shake and things to fall.
So now I'm spinning round like a dreidel in a fable
The singer feels like he is in a surreal story, spinning in a daze.
guess its time to catch a cab back to rock the cradle
He realizes it is time to leave and go home to his family.
throw a twenty for the ride grab my keys to go inside
He pays the taxi driver and prepares to go inside his house.
stop to feed my hound dog sleeping on his raw hide
Before going inside, he takes care of his dog by giving him food and attention.
so now I go inside being quiet as a mouse
He is making an effort to be quiet and not wake anyone up.
slip into the bed to reveal her flower blouse
He gets into bed with his lover and sees her clothes.
she's high man smokin on a bowl
His lover is smoking marijuana.
she says "Hey David won't you get the fuck out!"
However, she tells him to leave which makes him sad.
One shot for all you lovers
He proposes a toast to all the people in love.
two shots for your queens
He is honoring the women who are strong and powerful.
three for my man up at NYC
He's toasting his friend who lives in New York City.
four for them girlies on the back of the bus
He remembers the girls on the back of the bus and toasts to them.
five shots for the women who never gonna fuss
He raises a glass to women who don't cause trouble or complain.
six for my mom, seven for my dad
He's toasting his parents.
eight for the ladies dressin scantily clad
He acknowledges the beauty of some women who are dressed provocatively.
nine for my boys out in PCB
He toasts to his friends who are out in Panama City Beach.
and ten for my love don't know why you love me
He's toasting to his lover and recognizing that he doesn't understand why she loves him.
Right now I feel so connected to you
The singer is experiencing an emotional connection with his lover.
it don't matter what you do
He doesn't care about her actions or what she does.
you're on my mind
She is constantly in his thoughts.
these blankets ohhh won't keep us warm
The blankets are not enough to keep them warm.
then I know I'm gonna have to lay down in your thighs...
He suggests that he will warm up by getting close and intimate with her.
make me cry... ohhhhhh ohhhh
The thought of being close to her is making him emotional.
Contributed by Chloe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hannah
on It Was A Sin
I relate emotionally to him in a way I never really thought I would in a song like this. I cheated on my husband and seeking a new start and wanting that so very badly, I can't tell you how much this song relates. The desperation in his voice, admitting he fucked up and wanting to talk to her, not wanting to fight about it and move to something else... because she is making the conscious decision to stay in some way involved with him and he is desperate for a new start, something more or different than the same fight than they have been having. To get to this point, usually it is the same fight for months or even years, where she (or the other partner) just can't or won't let go. It is a desperate moment. He sings it with passion, especially towards the end with the drums. I relate so much. It is like... i fucked up. So badly. And I own that and have Done so much to work on myself and the relationship. But you have to let go if you want to continue.
Thank you for this song.