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.
The Party
The Strumbellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And man, I'd like to go
The streets are filled with echoes
And there's a half moon above
I don't feel much like talking
And I'm dying to be loved
Maybe my heart is broken
But I need you now like I've never done before
And maybe my skies are empty
Maybe my birds have flown
And I'm scared as hell to walk out through this door
I can't stay here anymore
I can't sleep with the lights off
I've given everything I can
I don't want to be different
I just wanna be like them
Maybe my heart is broken
Maybe my dreams are gone
But I need you now like I've never done before
And maybe my skies are empty
Maybe my birds have flown
And I'm scared as hell to walk out through this door
Maybe my heart is broken
Maybe my time is up
But I need you now like I've never done before
And maybe my skies are empty
Maybe my birds have flown
And I'm scared as hell to walk out through this door
I can't stay here anymore
We were dancing through the threes
Only you and me for this moment
And we were dancing through the trees
Only you and me for this moment
I'm all dressed for a party
And man, I'd like to go
Maybe my heart is broken
Maybe my dreams are gone
But I need you now like I've never done before
Maybe my skies are empty
Maybe my birds have flown
And I'm scared as hell to walk out through this door
Maybe my heart is broken
Maybe my dreams are gone
But I need you now like I've never done before
The lyrics of The Strumbellas' "The Party" evoke deep emotions of sadness and uncertainty. The singer is dressed for a party, but they don't feel much like talking and are dying to be loved. The streets filled with echoes and a half-moon above add to the somber mood of the singer who might be heartbroken, lonely, or lost. They need someone now more than ever, and they're scared to walk out through the door. The feelings of emptiness and fear are haunting, and the desperation to belong and want to be like them is palpable.
The line "Maybe my heart is broken, maybe my dreams are gone" is particularly poignant as it suggests the singer has lost hope in their future. The chorus repeats the phrase "But I need you now like I've never done before" which emphasizes the urgency and intensity of the singer's need. The song ends with a beautiful and vivid image of dancing through the trees with only you and me for this moment, which juxtaposes the feelings of loneliness and uncertainty that have been expressed throughout the song. Perhaps the singer finds solace in the fleeting moments of connection with another person.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm all dressed for a party
The singer is ready to enjoy themselves and have a good time.
And man, I'd like to go
The singer wants to leave and join the festivities.
The streets are filled with echoes
The singer is observing the ambience of the surroundings.
And there's a half moon above
The artist is noticing the state of the sky.
I don't feel much like talking
The artist is not interested in conversation.
And I'm dying to be loved
The singer seeks affection and/or attention.
Maybe my heart is broken
The singer's emotional condition is uncertain and may have resulted from prior events.
Maybe my dreams are gone
The artist has lost hope or is unsure about their future aspirations.
But I need you now like I've never done before
The artist is looking for immediate support and validation.
And maybe my skies are empty
The artist is feeling down and watching their world appears desolate.
Maybe my birds have flown
The singer has experienced a loss or a lack of a friend or partner.
And I'm scared as hell to walk out through this door
The thought of facing the outside world seems overwhelming to the artist.
I can't stay here anymore
The singer is compelled to leave due to their emotional state.
I can't sleep with the lights off
The singer is experiencing anxiety and cannot find peace in darkness.
I've given everything I can
The singer feels as though they've reached their limit and have nothing left to give.
I don't want to be different
The artist wishes to conform and be accepted by their peers.
I just wanna be like them
The artist desires to be a part of the group and not stand out.
We were dancing through the threes
The singer and a partner were dancing joyously within the trees.
Only you and me for this moment
The singer is relishing in the beauty of the moment with their partner.
Maybe my time is up
The artist feels as though they have run out of time.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Darryl James, David Ritter, Isabel Ritchie, Jeremy Drury, Joanne Setterington, Simon Alexander Ward, Jonathan Hembrey
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