Thievery Corporation is on the Eighteenth Street Lounge record label named after the DC club owned by Eric Hilton, but several of their singles and EP's appear on the 4AD and !K7 labels.
Formed in the summer of 1995 at D.C.’s Eighteenth Street Lounge. Rob Garza and Lounge co-owner Eric Hilton bonded over club life, dub, bossa nova and jazz records, then decided to see what would come of mixing all these in a recording studio. From this, the duo was born and their self started label Eighteenth Street Lounge Music began to emerge on an international level.
The duo caught the ears of underground DJ’s with their first two 12" offerings, Shaolin Satellite and 2001: a Spliff Odyssey. Their 1997 debut LP, Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi began to both define a new genre of electronic music and connect with an international community of like-minded souls. Though the terminology has varied (downtempo, chill out, left field and a myriad of other permutations), they have maintained their unique musical standards for the duration of their popularity.
In 2002, they released The Richest Man in Babylon on their ESL label. This fifteen track album is similar in sound and timbre to their earlier 2000 release, The Mirror Conspiracy, and features performances by vocalists Emiliana Torrini, Pam Bricker, and Loulou.
In 2005 they released The Cosmic Game, which has a darker, more psychedelic sound than The Richest Man in Babylon. The album also featured more high-profile guest singers on it, including Perry Farrell, David Byrne, and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.
In 2006, the group released Versions, a selection of remixes done by Thievery Corporation for other artists and toured the United States, playing at Lollapalooza.
The group released their fifth studio album, Radio Retaliation, on 23 September 2008.
The language of the group's lyrics are as diverse as English, Spanish, French, Persian, Portuguese, Romanian and Hindi. This reflects the group's global feel and collaborative structure.
They were the opening act on August 1, 2009 for Sir Paul McCartney at FedExField in Landover, Maryland.
On July 27, 2010, Babylon Central, the cinematic directorial debut of founding member Eric Hilton, was released. Set (and shot) in Washington, D.C., the film follows tripwire events in the interconnected lives of its characters, each influencing power brokers' schemes to manipulate international currencies.
In June 2011, Thievery Corporation released their sixth album, Culture of Fear.
In January 2012, Thievery Corporation launched a remixes contest in conjunction with Dubspot.
Amerimacka
Thievery Corporation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the dreams you go sell, turn in a hell
Her bed of roses are filled with thorns
Her righteous robes are tattered and torn
If she had only stood for love, that would have been enough
She wouldn't have to hide in her shame
If she had only stood for love, that would have been enough
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful life
Amerimacka, is like licking honey off of a knife
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful sight
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful light
The land of the free built on slavery, whoa, yeah
Our consciousness in captivity
The promised land is the lion's den
Your culture of greed has got to end
Now we're laying in the mud, looking up above
Tear water just a drop from the sky
They try to keep us in the mud, separating us from love
But me not gon let them conquer the I
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful life
Amerimacka, is like licking honey off a knife
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful sight
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful light
Say Amerimacka, gonna miss Amerimacka-macka
Amerimacka, we've seen the sound of choppa, choppa
Amerimacka, this one is like a tanka, tanka
Say Amerimacka, me know dem are sing ah
Say Amerimacka, me know dem are the attacker
Me see the world of them and man that world is shattered, shattered
Oh whoa
Say Amerimacka, me see the dreams are shattered
Me look up on the sky and man me see a little altar, altar, yeah, yeah, whoa
The song Amerimacka by Thievery Corporation explores the contradictions and darker realities of the American dream, and how it has led to the current state of the nation. The lyrics start by describing how Miss Liberty, a symbol of freedom and hope, has turned into a "Jezebel" and "hell" due to the selling of dreams and corrupted morality. Even her bed of roses is filled with thorns and her righteous robes are now tattered and torn. The chorus repeats the word "Amerimacka," which is a combination of America and Jamaica, suggesting a fusion of cultures in the country.
The second verse delves deeper into the issues plaguing America, such as the country's history of slavery and how it has affected the collective consciousness. The "promised land" of freedom has become the "lion's den," and the culture of greed must come to an end. The bridge of the song offers hope in the face of adversity, as the singer refuses to be conquered and separated from love. The song ends with a mix of Jamaican patois and English, conveying a sense of unity and strength in solidarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss Liberty turn in a Jezebel
Lady Liberty, a symbol of America, has become a promiscuous and immoral figure
All the dreams you go sell, turn in a hell
The American dream has become a nightmare of consumerism and materialism
Her bed of roses are filled with thorns
The comforts of America come with hidden troubles and problems
Her righteous robes are tattered and torn
The morality and values of America have been degraded and corrupted
If she had only stood for love, that would have been enough
If America had prioritized love and compassion over greed and oppression, it would be a better place
She wouldn't have to hide in her shame
America would not need to conceal its failures and faults
But now we all burn in her flames
We are all suffering from the consequences of America's mistakes
Amerimacka, oh what a beautiful life
America, despite its flaws, has a certain allure and appeal
Amerimacka, is like licking honey off of a knife
The sweetness and pleasure of America is dangerous and deadly
The land of the free built on slavery, whoa, yeah
America, a supposed beacon of freedom, was founded on the exploitation and oppression of others
Our consciousness in captivity
Our thoughts and beliefs are constrained and limited by the systems and institutions of America
The promised land is the lion's den
The idea of America as a land of opportunity is a trap and deception
Your culture of greed has got to end
America's obsession with wealth and material possessions must come to an end
Now we're laying in the mud, looking up above
We are in a difficult situation, but still hopeful for something better
Tear water just a drop from the sky
Even a small bit of hope or relief can be significant
They try to keep us in the mud, separating us from love
The powers that be want to divide and conquer us to maintain their control
But me not gon let them conquer the I
But we will not allow ourselves to be defeated or subdued
Say Amerimacka, gonna miss Amerimacka-macka
Even though we criticize and critique America, we will still miss it when it's gone
Amerimacka, we've seen the sound of choppa, choppa
We've experienced the violence and brutality of America
Amerimacka, this one is like a tanka, tanka
The problems and challenges we face in America are big and powerful
Say Amerimacka, me know dem are sing ah
We know the people are singing about America, too
Say Amerimacka, me know dem are the attacker
We know that others around the world may see America as a source of problems and conflict
Me see the world of them and man that world is shattered, shattered
We see the struggles and difficulties faced by people in other parts of the world and recognize the interconnectedness of global issues
Say Amerimacka, me see the dreams are shattered
We recognize that the American dream has been unattainable for many and may be a false promise
Me look up on the sky and man me see a little altar, altar, yeah, yeah, whoa
Despite the problems and flaws of America, we still see glimpses of hope and possibility for a better future
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Norman Howell, Richard Hilton, Roberto Garza
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gorilla_Lu
Remember after leaving the US ARMY 🇺🇸 BACK FROM WAR 2009 🎶 I was jamming 🎸 to this Thievery Corporation 🥲 song on my way home 🛣️ ✈️ ⛅️ 14+yrs ago! Crazy
@dvderka
Love from Ukraine . 12 years ago I walk around market where I hear this song and I still in love.
@Catinbox123-ne4le
if they are playing this band in your country, I do indeed have faith in VICTORY for Ukraine. Love from United States
@muzikizum6565
One of the best songs ever.
@susant700
THIS song will be one my "forever" playlist. Good layers of sound / SKA / that take you away to a deserted beach with that special someone. Now remembering a old summer love at the beach.
@BCK_we_stay_connected
I confirm
Same here
@vapour_focus
One of the best imo too. Also check out Nightmares In Wax - Les Nuits, that same soothing brilliance..
@preslaviliev3284
i confirm only if u have the richest man in babylon in your playlist lol
@coolchannelnumber1
After Covid is over, I'm going to a secluded beach in the middle of nowhere and blast this on speakers with a cocktail in my hand. Who's with me?
@nakinariya7038
Let's hit the beach at thailand...