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.
Tempest
Vigilantes of Love Lyrics
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watching the tempest stir in your soul
We are storming the battlements
Raising the arguments
Got your letters here by my bed
Got these visions of you in my head
We are storming the battlements
Raising the arguments
How I lost my way
Two down now she knows
All my yesterdays
Watching her secret side come to life
Watching her secret side come to life
We are storming the battlements
Raising the arguments
Writing the installments
The lyrics to Vigilantes of Love's song "Tempest" are a metaphorical depiction of a tumultuous relationship. The opening lines "Watching the tempest stir in your soul" implies that the subject of the song is experiencing inner turmoil, and the singer is observing this from the outside. The repetition of this line creates a sense of urgency and tension in the song. The next lines "We are storming the battlements, raising the arguments" suggest that the singer and their partner are involved in a fierce battle of emotions, with both parties trying to prove their point. This line suggests that there is a lack of communication between the couple, and they are using arguments to express their emotions.
The line "Got your letters here by my bed, got these visions of you in my head" speaks to the idea of nostalgia and longing that the singer is feeling for their partner. The letters and visions serve as a reminder of their time together and adds complexity to the situation. The next set of lines "One down I don't know, how I lost my way, two down now she knows, all my yesterdays" imply that the singer has lost their way in the relationship and is trying to reconcile with their partner. The phrase "yesterdays" highlights the sense of loss and regret that the singer is feeling for their past actions.
The final lines, "Watching her secret side come to life, we are storming the battlements, raising the arguments, writing the installments" further emphasize the complexity of emotions and experiences the singer is facing. The "secret side come to life" denotes the revelation of the hidden truth that the singer may have been unaware of or overlooked previously. The repetition of "storming the battlements" and "raising the arguments" emphasizes the intense and emotional nature of the situation. The final line "writing the installments" implies that the singer and their partner are working towards resolving their issues in a progressive and proactive manner.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the tempest stir in your soul
I am observing the turmoil within you
We are storming the battlements
Raising the arguments
We are engaging in a fierce struggle with someone
Got your letters here by my bed
Got these visions of you in my head
I have been deeply affected by your words and thoughts
One down I don't know
How I lost my way
Two down now she knows
All my yesterdays
I am experiencing confusion and regret over past actions that have affected both myself and someone else
Watching her secret side come to life
I am witnessing a hidden aspect of someone reveal itself
Writing the installments
I am chronicling the ongoing events in this struggle
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.