The Smithereens are a powerpop/rock group from Carteret, New Jersey. The gr… Read Full Bio ↴The Smithereens are a powerpop/rock group from Carteret, New Jersey. The group formed in 1980 and for most of its existence consisted of founding members Pat DiNizio (lead singer/guitar), Jim Babjak (guitar), Mike Mesaros (bass), and Dennis Diken (drums). Following DiNizio's death in 2017, the band has continued to perform with guest singers.

The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.

Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.

In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.

Auld Lang Syne
The Smithereens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet

For days of auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Overall Meaning

The Smithereens' song "Auld Lang Syne" is a cover of a traditional Scottish poem/song that reflects on the value of old friendships and memories. The title "Auld Lang Syne" roughly translates to "old long since," which means "days gone by" or "times past." The song begins with the question of whether old friends should be forgotten and their memories left behind. The singer then answers with a resounding "no" and suggests that, for old times' sake, they should toast to the memories with a cup of kindness.

The repeated refrain of "For auld lang syne, my dear" emphasizes the sentimental and nostalgic nature of the song, and calls upon the listener to join in the sentimentality. The simple and repetitive melody, combined with the lyrics, create a powerful emotional connection with the listener, who is invited to join in the reverie of recalling old friendships, memories, and experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Is it right to forget old friends?

And never brought to mind?
And never remembered?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Is it right to forget old friends?

And auld lang syne
And the days gone by?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For the sake of the good old times, my dear

For auld lang syne
For the sake of the good old times

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
Let's drink to our friendship

For days of auld lang syne
For the sake of the good old times

Lyrics © DistroKid, Unison Rights S.L., Songtrust Ave, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: PUBLIC DOMAIN, VINCENT JR MONTANA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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