They appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in October 2002 (the first Australian band to do so since Men at Work in 1983) with the words "Rock is Back: meet the Vines" boldly emblazoned underneath. Referred to as the 'The' bands, The Strokes, The Hives, The White Stripes and The Vines combined "old fashioned punk and adrenaline fuelled riffs" to be ushered in at the beginning of 2002 as the "saviors of rock".
The Vines have been moderately successful in the Australian recording industry, winning an ARIA in 2002 for Breakthrough Artist and receiving nominations for six other awards in as many years. In 2003, their debut album Highly Evolved went double platinum in their home country of Australia, and since then the band has released six albums and a "Best-Of" compilation from their time at Capitol Records.
The band started to record their 5th album in February 2010. The album recording was completely finished in mid March, with mixing taking place in Sydney at the end of March and mastering taking place in early April. The album, "Future Primitve," was released in June 2011.
Discography
Highly Evolved (2002)
Winning Days (2004)
Vision Valley(2006)
Melodia (2008)
Future Primitive (2011)
Wicked Nature (2014)
In Miracle Land (2018)
1969
The Vines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just want to have no place to go
I'm Living through the sound of the dead
I'm gonna get stoned look round at my soul
I'm hearing voices in the trees
I', seeing footsteps in the rain
I just want to die before I lose my doll
Cause I don't know where I've been
I just want to live to see another day
Hey hey hey hey
When I get my Buick six
I'll see my life drop in that whirlpool
If I get to see you again
You're the only one I know
Here we go
There I stand
I'm a seed
Of a man
Dare I go
Dare I stare
I'm a seed
Of a man
The opening lines of The Vines' 1969 are a nostalgic throwback to the year of 1969, a time that was culturally significant for its music, fashion, and social changes. However, the singer's reflection also reveals a longing for an escape from reality with a desire to have no place to go. The singer then enters a dreamlike state where he is 'living through the sound of the dead.' This could be a reference to the psychedelic rock music of the late 1960s and early 1970s or the drug-induced hallucinations that artists of that time were known to experience. The way he wants to look on his soul and get stoned implies he is searching for a deeper meaning to life and an escape from the mundane.
The second half of the song takes a darker turn, with the singer dealing with inner turmoil and battling with his own demons. He is hearing voices in the trees and seeing footsteps in the rain, which could be a metaphor for a feeling of isolation and disconnection from the world around him. He then expresses a desire to die before he loses his 'doll,' which could be a reference to his own sanity or an object of importance to him during his childhood. The final lines of the song could be interpreted as a battle cry where the singer is challenging himself to take control of his life and become a stronger person.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 1969 in my head
The singer feels stuck in a time of rebellion and wants to relive it.
I just want to have no place to go
The singer wants to be free and unrestrained.
I'm Living through the sound of the dead
The singer is living through the influence of past legends and heroes.
I'm gonna get stoned look round at my soul
The artist wishes to be under the influence of drugs to find himself.
I'm hearing voices in the trees
The artist has a vivid imagination and is looking to connect with nature.
I', seeing footsteps in the rain
The singer is looking for a direction or sign to follow.
I just want to die before I lose my doll
The singer would rather die than lose something meaningful to them.
I have been crying in my sleep
The artist is experiencing sadness and pain, even in their dreams.
Cause I don't know where I've been
The artist is feeling lost and disoriented.
I just want to live to see another day
The artist wishes to continue living and experiencing life.
Hey hey hey hey
An interlude without specific meaning.
When I get my Buick six
The artist dreams of owning a car as a symbol of independence.
I'll see my life drop in that whirlpool
The car is a metaphor for life, which is unpredictable and chaotic.
If I get to see you again
The singer is hoping to meet someone they miss.
You're the only one I know
This person is important and significant to the singer.
Here we go
A statement of intent or readiness.
There I stand
The artist is ready to face what comes their way.
I'm a seed
The singer is young and full of potential.
Of a man
Growing up and changing into something new is the eventual goal.
Dare I go
The artist is unsure but willing to take a risk.
Dare I stare
The artist is confronting something head-on.
I'm a seed
The artist still has much growth and maturing to do.
Of a man
The singer is striving towards adulthood and masculinity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NICHOLLS, OLLIFFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind