In early 1996, the world was seemingly reconciling some of its evolutionary… Read Full Bio ↴In early 1996, the world was seemingly reconciling some of its evolutionary hang-ups. Gary Kasparov defeated Deep Blue in one of the most epic chess matches of all time. Scientists discovered the possible evidence of life on Mars. President Clinton appointed the first female US Secretary of State. And in one cluttered basement in Wilmington, Delaware, the Spinto Band began to materialize. Spinto, huh?
The story actually begins deep in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where band member Nick Krill was rummaging through the personal effects of his late grandfather, the guitar player Roy Spinto. For years, Roy had penned lyrics on the inside of Cracker Jack boxes, and in one simple juxtaposition of time and fate, Nick found the lyrics that would inspire the creation of the Spinto Band. And they hit the ground running. The energy was undeniable, and it wasn't long before Jon Eaton, Thomas Hughes, Nick Krill, Joe Hobson, Sam Hughes, Jeff Hobson and Albert Birney (who has since left the band to pursue the visual arts) found themselves with a massive musical proliferation at hand.
Eight years and seven self-released albums later, the Spinto Band is in the prime vein of musical prowess. Utilizing an indie-pop sensibility that brings to mind the Flaming Lips and Pavement, their songs can send you careening into the heights of lysergic bliss or provide the catchiest vibes to shake your tail feather to. Either way, this six-piece outfit has the goods to deliver us all from the doldrums of banality.
Currently teamed up with Nashville producing duo, Robin Eaton and Lij (of Alex the Great recording studios), and preparing a May release through Bar-None Records, the band's sound exudes a finesse that belies their youth (their ages range from 20-25). With rich, textured guitars, and multiple-part vocal harmonies, the Spinto Band's repertoire is a maelstrom of indie perfection. It's quirky, energetic, radiant, and aptly engaging.
The Spinto Band has performed with such acts as the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players, and Of Montreal. It's an inevitable transgression beyond the words on this page; the Spinto Band excels. Thank you, Roy.

The Carnival
The Spinto Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got my fin, I got mine censured, and I am waiting, first my glasses (?)
Oh I,
Really need something to pass the time,
Oh I need a shape, I got the spire made
But they're just saying "Oh l-l-l-l-look at me, look at me"
Oh I,
Yeah I've got something that's worth my time

Oh darling please,
Darling speak,
Oh ho it's easy,

I left my room, put my feet back in my shoes
I left a note that I'll be back before two
Oh why,
Do I keep thinking 'bout loss of life?
Oh, I need a change, I need to share a space,
Spare you a place, I need another, any holiday please,
Oh why,
Do I keep finding rings round my eyes?

Oh darling please,
Oh darling speak,
I can't help but be calm, I can't help but pretend,
I can't help but be born, I can't help but be dead,
Oh darling please,
Oh darling speak,
Oh ho it's easy,
Oh it's hard to be easy,
Although it's never been...

[guitar solo]

Oh it's easy,
Oh it's easy,
Oh ho believe me, I want a tongue to feed me
See me be gagging, it's so easy, woo-hoo,
[Oh no, chocolate strawberry!]

I need a shape, I got the spire made
Nothing to say that ????? look at me, oh baby,
So I continue to ask nicely

Oh darling please,
Oh darling speak,
I can't help but be calm, I can't help but pretend,
I can't help but be born, I can't help but be dead,
Oh darling please,
Oh darling speak,

Oh ho it's easy,
Oh it's hard to be easy

Overall Meaning

The Spinto Band's "The Carnival" is a complex and introspective song that seems to be addressing themes of restlessness, boredom, and the search for meaning. The opening lines introduce a sense of frustration as the singer waits for something to happen or someone to arrive. They have their "fin" and their "censured" (meaning something that has been suppressed or removed), but they are still waiting for their "glasses" (a possible metaphor for a clearer view of the situation). The repetition of "Oh I" creates a sense of desperation and neediness.

As the song progresses, the singer muses on the subject of loss and the need for change. They feel trapped in their own mindset and need to "share a space" with someone else in order to break free. The repetition of "Oh darling please, Oh darling speak" suggests a desire for communication and connection that is not being fulfilled. The guitar solo is an opportunity for the instrumental expression of these themes, the soaring notes and distorted chords creating a feeling of urgency and discontent.

The final verses of the song offer a glimpse of hope, as the singer asks for a "shape" and a place to belong. They continue to ask and plead, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation but not giving up. Ultimately, the message of "The Carnival" appears to be about the need for connection and the search for meaning in a confusing and chaotic world.

Line by Line Meaning

I got my fin, I got mine censured, and I am waiting, first my glasses (?)
I have my equipment and gear ready and I am waiting, trying to find my glasses

Oh I, Really need something to pass the time, Oh I need a shape, I got the spire made But they're just saying "Oh l-l-l-l-look at me, look at me" Oh I, Yeah I've got something that's worth my time
I'm bored and need something to do, my structure is complete, but others just want attention. But I have something that is valuable and meaningful to me.

Oh darling please, Darling speak, Oh ho it's easy,
An appeal to a loved one to communicate and speak, it's a simple thing to do.

I left my room, put my feet back in my shoes I left a note that I'll be back before two Oh why, Do I keep thinking 'bout loss of life? Oh, I need a change, I need to share a space, Spare you a place, I need another, any holiday please, Oh why, Do I keep finding rings round my eyes?
I left my room and planned to be back soon. Why do I keep thinking about death? I need a change and want to share living space with you, and I need to go on a vacation to curb exhaustion. Why do I keep having tired eyes?

I can't help but be calm, I can't help but pretend, I can't help but be born, I can't help but be dead, Oh darling please, Oh darling speak, Oh ho it's easy, Oh it's hard to be easy, Although it's never been...
I am naturally calm and act composed, I try to appear differently than I actually am, and I know that birth and death are inevitable. Please express yourself, it's not difficult. It's easy, yet it's hard to put into practice, though it's not impossible.

Oh it's easy, Oh it's easy, Oh ho believe me, I want a tongue to feed me See me be gagging, it's so easy, woo-hoo, [Oh no, chocolate strawberry!] I need a shape, I got the spire made Nothing to say that ????? look at me, oh baby, So I continue to ask nicely
It's easy to understand, and I want to be fed with someone's words. You can see me struggling to get a word across, believe me, it's simple. I need support, and others don't seem to care; so I keep asking nicely.

Contributed by Jeremiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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