The band takes its name from the New Order song "Love Vigilantes," although their sound tends more to folk, Americana, and country rock than New Wave. Their 2001 album Summershine also showed some movement toward Brit-pop and R.E.M.-style college rock, which would be more fully explored in Mallonee's solo career.
S.O.S.
Vigilantes Of Love Lyrics
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This is it i guess S.O.S.
Slowly took your best as you tried to stay afloat
You swallow what you can and the rest you sugarcoat
The guard just looked away and the moment has her say
She said these storms are too strong on the sea of my winter
Look at me I'm all cursed with this thirst to remember
And (don't) we all feel the crush of velvet glove starlight
Here's the trapeze act landing in your lap
Kill the safety net S.O.S.
Play hard then we're gone are we still having fun
Then you break for home like jackie robinson
The spirit will take wings adagio for strings
The opening couplet of the song sets a tone of desperation and imminent danger as the ticking of the clock crashes upon the rocks. The singer seems to be in a dire situation and realizes that this may be their final chance for help as they signal an S.O.S. The second verse tells us that the person has been fighting a losing battle and trying to just make it through the turmoil by consuming what they can and deceiving themselves about the rest. The guard, a potential savior, seems apathetic towards their plight, and it seems like they have no option left than to make a last-ditch effort to be saved.
Line by Line Meaning
Ticking of the clock crash upon the rocks
The relentless ticking of time feels like waves crashing against unyielding rocks.
This is it i guess S.O.S.
This is the moment of crisis, the point where one must send out a desperate signal asking for help.
Slowly took your best as you tried to stay afloat
You gave everything you had to try to survive, but it was never enough to truly stay above water.
You swallow what you can and the rest you sugarcoat
You try to make the best of a bad situation by focusing on the positive and ignoring the negative.
The guard just looked away and the moment has her say
Authority figures who should be helping instead turn a blind eye, leaving the individual to struggle alone in a critical moment.
She said these storms are too strong on the sea of my winter
The singer recognizes that the challenges they face are incredibly difficult and perhaps even insurmountable.
Look at me I'm all cursed with this thirst to remember
The singer feels trapped by their memories and haunted by their past, unable to let go and move on.
If my lips touch the host i will be alright
The artist hopes that by partaking in a religious ceremony or ritual, they will find the peace and safety they seek.
And (don't) we all feel the crush of velvet glove starlight
We are all fragile and vulnerable, just as delicate as if we were ironed under the weight of a heavy velvet glove.
Here's the trapeze act landing in your lap
You are suddenly thrust into a life or death situation, where you must perform acrobatic feats to survive.
Kill the safety net S.O.S.
In order to truly push yourself and reach your potential, you must let go of your safety net and throw yourself into the unknown.
Play hard then we're gone are we still having fun
Life can be fleeting and uncertain, but it's up to you to make the most of it and enjoy every moment you have.
Then you break for home like jackie robinson
You must fight for your place in the world, no matter how challenging or difficult the obstacles may be, and stay true to yourself along the way.
The spirit will take wings adagio for strings
In moments of great struggle or triumph, the human spirit has the power to soar, lifting us up and helping us discover our true potential.
Contributed by Blake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.