When a crowd is singing along with the last chorus after hearing the song for the first time, and Twitter lights up with those same lyrics in the days following a performance, you know it's a song that connects. With poignant yet sing-along-able lyrics and undeniable rock noir musical undertones, Spirits, the first single from The Strumbellas’ forthcoming album, embodies the essence of what has been attracting fans from across North America to this Lindsay, Ontario-bred band.
That journey has been a whirlwind since the release of the band’s 2012 debut album My Father And The Hunter. The Strumbellas' sound — haunting lyrics fused with infectious, danceable melodies — won them both fans and critical recognition. A year later, they followed up with We Still Move On Dance Floors, which earned the band six awards, including a JUNO and Sirius XM
Indie Award, as well as a spot on the Polaris Music Prize Long List. And of course, there’s been touring. Lots of touring.
In early 2015, the Strumbellas, off the road and ready to go into the studio again, set up shop at downtown Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club to record the new album with LA Producer/Engineer, Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Haim, Weezer). During three recording sessions during the first half of 2015, Schiffman and the band harnessed a vivid sound that was itchin’ to get out of them. Bigger. Bolder. Beckoning.
David
The Strumbellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We we're out way past sun down
Hey, hey, hey
We we're all so scared to come down
Maybe if we just leave it alone
We'll be okay
Hey, hey, hey
We're a long way from home
And everything's strange
David won't you let me know if there's any other way
We're out on the road
Nothing's okay
Nothing's okay
Oh, except for this night
Nothing's okay
Oh, except for this night
Hey, hey, hey
A Northern sky full of coyotes
Hey hey hey
We're in the basement feeling low
Maybe if we just leave it alone
We'll be okay
Hey, hey, hey
David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
We're a long way from home
And everything's strange
David won't you let me know if there's any other way
We're out on the road
And nothing's okay
Nothing's okay
Oh, except for this night
Nothing's okay
Oh, except for this night
Oh, David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
We're a long way from home
And everything's strange
David won't you let me know if there's any other way
We're out on the road
And nothing's okay
David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
We're a long way from home
And nothing's okay
The Strumbellas, a Canadian folk-rock band, released the song “David” in 2019 as part of their album “Rattlesnake.” The song is about being far from home, feeling lost, and looking for guidance. The lyrics are structured in a way that suggests the band is speaking to someone named David, who might be a trusted friend, and asking for advice or reassurance to help them get through a difficult situation.
The opening verses describe a sense of unease or uncertainty that the band members are feeling while on the road, perhaps after a long night of partying or performances. The use of the rhetorical question "Maybe if we just leave it alone we'll be okay" suggests they are trying to convince themselves that the situation will improve if they don't dwell on it. Later, they describe being in a basement and feeling low, perhaps because they long for the familiarity of home.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the message that the band is feeling lost and disconnected from their surroundings. They are looking for someone to understand their predicament, as evidenced by their plea to David to "let me know if there's anything to say" and "if there's any other way" to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey
Starting the song with a cheerful tone
We we're out way past sun down
We were outside until late night
Hey, hey, hey
Repeating the cheerful tone to emphasize it
We we're all so scared to come down
We were afraid to go home or face reality
Maybe if we just leave it alone
Ignoring the problem might be the best solution
We'll be okay
It'll get better with time
David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
Asking David for advice or guidance
We're a long way from home
Feeling far away from comfort or familiarity
And everything's strange
Feeling out of place or uncomfortable
David won't you let me know if there's any other way
Asking David for another solution or path to take
We're out on the road
Traveling or on tour
Nothing's okay
Feeling like everything is wrong
Oh, except for this night
Despite everything, the present moment feels alright
A Northern sky full of coyotes
Describing the scenery outside
We're in the basement feeling low
Feeling down or depressed while inside
David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
Repeating the request for David's guidance
And nothing's okay
Reasserting the feeling of everything being wrong
David won't you let me know if there's any other way
Repeating the request for another solution
David won't you let me know if there's anything to say
Repeating the request for advice
And nothing's okay
Repeating the feeling of everything being wrong
We're a long way from home
Repeating the feeling of being far away from comfort
And nothing's okay
Repeating the feeling of everything being wrong
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Leigh Pickett, Darryl James, David Ritter, Isabel Ritchie, Jeremy Drury, Joanne Setterington, Jonathan Hembrey, Simon Alexander Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon Block
on We Don't Know
I just saw Strumbellas in concert tonight in Denver. They were so great!! And this song "We Don't Know" moved me to tears. Made me reflect on my life and the uncertainties I'm facing. Being in the energy of this song and really getting the lyrics for the first time filled me with peace and hope.
Victoria Miller
on Spirits
Where did you find their bio?
Angela J Szucs-PagliariniVictoria Miller
on Spirits
if you read their bio, Simon Ward their frontman has an unhealthy fear of dying . he says most of the songs are based on that.
Dalton Bacon James
on Spirits
This sounds like it's about PTSD. Just listen to the lyrics and think about it