White Light Riot consists of Minneapolis natives, brothers Mike and Mark Sc… Read Full Bio ↴White Light Riot consists of Minneapolis natives, brothers Mike and Mark Schwandt, Joe Christenson and Dan Larsen. These incredibly talented musicians craft catchy songs that appeal to fans of both indie rock and Britpop. Though often compared to The Killers, The Strokes or Franz Ferdinand, White Light Riot blend originality with influences of the past. The foursome have been playing together since 2005 and already have released two Eps, The Dark Is Light Enough, produced by Erik Appelwick (Tapes ‘N Tapes) and Out of Sight, produced/co-engineered by Brent Sigmeth (Grant Hart, They Might Be Giants, Tim O’Reagan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott). Atomism, their first full-length album, was also produced/co-engineered by Sigmeth, co-engineered by Paul Marino (The New Congress, Desdemona) and mastered by Bob Ludwig. With sophisticated lyrics, perfected melodies and tight, driving rhythms, their music keeps audiences engaged and attracts new fans with every show.

This is definitely a band worth checking out:
Atomism is available on iTunes or buy physical copy through http://www.myspace.com/whitelightriotmusic
http://www.whitelightriot.com
or http://50records.com

charlatan
White Light Riot Lyrics

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Has no one cared to explain that you don't have answers
You flick your sycophant tongue
Words swindle in the air, you talk just to know you're there
And I'm not very impressed with all your obsessions

So tell me what you think you know
I'll pretend to like your little show

You're so desperate
To be noticed
But your charlatan skin is worn
And homeless

Read the character file and practice the stories
Your chameleon smile may get you a plate
Seems like it's all in vain when you lift yourself a name
Because living in charlatan skin
Will only fool your reflection

So tell me what you think you know
I'll pretend to like your little show

You're so desperate
To be noticed
But your charlatan skin is worn
And homeless

You're so oblivious
You're so oblivious
Where is your head in this?
Where is your head in this?
No aristocracy
I'm no one's property
All your hypocrisy and mediocrity
Is less than less...

You're so desperate
Oh and I've noticed

That your charlatan is worn
You're hopeless

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Charlatan" by White Light Riot, from the album Atomism, portray a person who pretends to have knowledge and answers to everything, but in reality, they are just searching for validation and attention. The song calls them out for their fake personality traits, their tendency to tell stories that will make them look good, and their constant need for recognition. The singer is not impressed by the person's despicable character and fake persona, and sees through their lies and manipulations.

The song highlights the fact that living in a faux personality might get someone some attention or momentary appreciation, but it will not give them anything authentic, and people will see through it eventually. The use of words like "charlatan" and "swindle" depict that the person is not a trustworthy character and makes a mockery of real expertise. The song condemns such behavior and calls out for authenticity and honesty.

Line by Line Meaning

Has no one cared to explain that you don't have answers
The person singing is questioning whether or not someone has told the subject of the song that they don't have all the answers.

You flick your sycophant tongue
The subject of the song speaks with a tongue of a sycophant, flattering and insincere.

Words swindle in the air, you talk just to know you're there
The subject of the song talks just to keep themselves present in the conversation, not truly involving themselves in a useful manner.

And I'm not very impressed with all your obsessions
The person singing is not impressed with the subject's behavior and preoccupations.

So tell me what you think you know I'll pretend to like your little show
The person singing is challenging the subject to explain their actions, despite having little interest in what they have to say.

You're so desperate To be noticed But your charlatan skin is worn And homeless
The subject of the song is desperate to be noticed, but their false personality has become threadbare and unconvincing.

Read the character file and practice the stories Your chameleon smile may get you a plate
The person singing recommends that the subject try to develop real character instead of their current chameleon-like behavior, as it will benefit them in the long run.

Seems like it's all in vain when you lift yourself a name Because living in charlatan skin Will only fool your reflection
The person singing believes that the subject's efforts to develop a reputation will be fruitless if they continue to be fake and insincere, as they are only tricking themselves in the end.

You're so oblivious Where is your head in this?
The person singing believes that the subject is not aware of their own behavior.

No aristocracy I'm no one's property All your hypocrisy and mediocrity Is less than less...
The person singing believes that true worth comes from genuine behavior, rather than putting on a false front.

You're so desperate Oh and I've noticed That your charlatan is worn You're hopeless
The person singing again notes the subject's desperation and insincerity, and believes that it's become hopeless for them to change.

Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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