Wolf Parade is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, based in… Read Full Bio ↴Wolf Parade is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, based in Montreal, QC. The band went on indefinite hiatus in 2011, but announced its return to recording and performing in January 2016. Wolf Parade was formed when Spencer Krug (also Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes, Moonface and Swan Lake) was offered a gig supporting Arcade Fire. He called Dan Boeckner (formerly of notable B.C. band Atlas Strategic, now also part of Handsome Furs) and they wrote songs with a drum machine before calling Arlen Thompson to play drums. Hadji Bakara joined in 2004. Dante DeCaro (formerly of Hot Hot Heat and currently of Johnny and the Moon) joined in Summer 2005 as second guitarist and percussionist. Though expected to perform again, the band announced their indefinite hiatus on November 27, 2010 and was acknowledged as having ended as a group on August 30, 2012 in an interview with Spoon front-man Britt Daniel.

Wolf Parade released their eponymous debut EP in 2003 with only Spencer, Dan and Arlen performing on it. After Hadji joined the group, they released another independent, self-titled EP in 2004. They were signed to Sub Pop by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse and released their first widely-distributed record, Wolf Parade EP. In September 2005 their debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary was released.

Apologies to the Queen Mary was given this name because, as in rock and roll tradition, Wolf Parade trashed the Queen Mary hotel. It was said that they trashed the hotel worse than any band before them.

Their second album, At Mount Zoomer, was released June 17, 2008, and third, Expo 86 on July 5, 2010. On November 29th 2010 Wolf Parade called an indefinite hiatus.

The haitus ended when the band released Cry Cry Cry on Oct 6, 2017.

Call It a Ritual
Wolf Parade Lyrics

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Well into the desert you must go
So into the desert we go
Call it a ritual
Call it whatever you will

And you will grow out of me
As naturally
As branches from a tree

Call it a ritual
Call it whatever you will

And you know
They will swing, swing their swords for show
While you turn your flower petals so slow

You said the desert will eat us alive
I said I'll make the decisions, you just drive
You just drive

And I saw the windmill wings were gone
And I heard the wind come creepin' around
Call it an act of easy mercy
To tear the structure down

Call it whatever you will
Call it whatever you will

'Cause you know
They will swing, swing their swords for show
While you turn your flower petals so slow

But I am amazed at how they go
I am amazed at how they go, I am amazed at how they go
I am amazed at how they go, I am amazed at how they go
I am amazed at how they go, I am amazed at how they go
I am amazed at how they go, I am amazed at how they go

So call it whatever you will
Call it a ritual
Call it whatever you will

You know
They will swing, swing their swords for show

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wolf Parade's "Call It a Ritual" evoke a sense of adventure and danger with its desert imagery and propulsive rhythm. The repeated refrain of "Call it a ritual, call it whatever you will" suggests that the journey into the desert is not only a physical journey, but a spiritual one as well. The first verse describes the necessity of entering the desert, perhaps as a rite of passage or a quest for something greater. The second verse introduces a conflict between two people, one who sees the desert as a threat while the other is determined to overcome it. The imagery of the windmill wings being torn down suggests a sense of destruction and rebirth. The song ends with the singer being amazed by the journey and the challenges they have faced, ultimately embracing the idea of calling it whatever they will.

The dual meanings of "ritual" and "whatever you will" leave the interpretation of the song open to the listener's own experiences and beliefs. The desert can be seen as a metaphor for any daunting challenge or journey in life, and the idea of tearing down structures can represent a necessary shedding of old beliefs or habits to truly grow. The swinging swords could represent the obstacles put in our way by others, while the slow turning of flower petals represents the slow progress we make as individuals. The repeated phrase "I am amazed at how they go" could represent a sense of wonder and awe at the journey, or a disbelief at how people can destroy or create.

Overall, Wolf Parade's "Call It a Ritual" is a powerful song that encourages its listeners to embrace the challenges life presents and to keep moving forward. Whether it's a physical journey into the desert or a metaphorical one, the idea of calling it whatever you will suggests that there is no one right way to approach life's challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Well into the desert you must go
To experience a significant change or transformation, one must venture out into the unknown, even if it may seem frightening or uncomfortable.

So into the desert we go
We are embarking on a journey of change, despite the uncertainty that lies ahead.

Call it a ritual
Our journey can be seen as a purposeful and symbolic ceremony, one that allows for personal growth and transformation.

Call it whatever you will
The name or label given to our journey does not matter, as long as we recognize its significance and power.

And you will grow out of me
As we continue on this journey, we will inevitably change and evolve, sometimes in ways that lead us away from one another.

As naturally
This growth and change is a natural part of life and should be embraced, even if it is painful or difficult to accept.

As branches from a tree
Our growth and evolution is comparable to that of a tree, with each branch representing a new path or direction that we may take.

And you know
It is a known fact that...

They will swing, swing their swords for show
People will often put on a false show of strength, attacking others even when it is unnecessary or unhelpful.

While you turn your flower petals so slow
In contrast, we should approach life with a sense of openness and vulnerability, being willing to take things slow and appreciate the beauty around us.

You said the desert will eat us alive
There are many potential dangers and challenges that we may encounter on this journey, and it is important to acknowledge them so that we can prepare accordingly.

I said I'll make the decisions, you just drive
We have different roles to play on this journey, but we are both essential to its success and must trust and support one another.

And I saw the windmill wings were gone
As we progress on this journey, we may encounter unexpected changes or losses, such as the disappearance of something that was once important to us.

And I heard the wind come creepin' around
We must be aware of our surroundings and attuned to the natural forces at play, even if they are not immediately visible or noticeable.

Call it an act of easy mercy
Sometimes it is necessary to let go of things or tear them down in order to move forward, even if it may seem harsh or unkind.

To tear the structure down
By dismantling something that was once significant or important, we may create space for new growth and change.

'Cause you know
It is a known fact that...

But I am amazed at how they go
Despite the obstacles and challenges that we may face on this journey, there is still much beauty and wonder to be found, and we should take the time to appreciate it.

So call it whatever you will
The name or label given to our journey does not matter, as long as we continue to grow and evolve.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arlen Thompson, Dan Boeckner, Hadji Bakara, Spencer Kyle Krug

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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