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.
Dinner Bells
Wolf Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've heard all your plans
I have seen the seasons
Clutched up in your hands
You're the one-eyed feather
You're the lion's mane
Swear you've heard the weather
Calling out your name
There will be no more winter
There will be no more spring and
There will be no more dinner bells
Left for you to ring
There'll be no more dinner bells
Dinner bells to ring
The maestro learns the music
Musicians learn to dance
There'll be no more trumpets
There'll be no more flutes
No more clapping hands
I've heard all your reasons
I've heard all your plans
I've heard of your treasons
And I've heard all your pleas
And I've made friends with the big man
So there'll be no more winter
There'll be no more spring and
There'll be no more dinner bells
Left for you to ring
There'll be no more dinner bells
Dinner bells to ring
There'll be no more dinner bells
Dinner bells to ring
There'll be no more dinner bells
Dinner bells to ring
In the first verse of Wolf Parade's "Dinner Bells", the singer speaks to someone that they know well, having heard all their reasons and plans. The person they're addressing is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, being described as both a one-eyed feather and a lion's mane. They seem to be very in tune with the world and its cycles, as they're able to hold the seasons in their hands and claim to have heard the weather calling them by name. However, the second verse takes a darker turn. The singer declares that there will be no more winter, no more spring, and no more dinner bells left for them to ring. The third verse brings in the concept of music, with the maestro learning the music and musicians learning to dance. But again, the final chorus reiterates that there will be no more dinner bells to ring.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be somewhat metaphorical, with the dinner bells possibly representing something like endings or opportunities. The person being addressed starts out seeming quite powerful and in control, but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that they won't be able to hold onto that for much longer. The big man at the end might be a reference to death or some other kind of all-powerful force that will take the person down a peg.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard all your reasons
I am familiar with all the justifications you have given
I've heard all your plans
I am knowledgeable of all the strategies you have devised
I have seen the seasons
Clutched up in your hands
I have witnessed you being in control of the changing of seasons
You're the one-eyed feather
You're the lion's mane
Swear you've heard the weather
Calling out your name
You have a self-assertive personality like that of a one-eyed feather or lion's mane, and you believe that the weather has a personal connection with you
There will be no more winter
There will be no more spring and
There will be no more dinner bells
Left for you to ring
There'll be no more dinner bells
Dinner bells to ring
Your era of power and control is ending, and you will no longer have a say in what the future holds
The maestro learns the music
Musicians learn to dance
There'll be no more trumpets
There'll be no more flutes
No more clapping hands
Everyone, including the most skilled individuals, will have to learn a new set of rules as the times change, and the things that once brought joy will no longer be relevant
I've heard of your treasons
And I've heard all your pleas
And I've made friends with the big man
I am aware of your deceitful actions, your begging for mercy, and the fact that you have tried to obtain favors from influential people
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arlen Thompson, Dan Boeckner, Hadji Bakara, Spencer Kyle Krug
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcos Lee
only 23k views? sad that wolf parade did not retain the popularity they had in the early 2000s, one of the best bands of all time
Anthony McDonald
One of the best bands ever for sure and my personal favorite band. Frustrates me that they aren't more popular but I take pleasure in knowing they continue to make great music. Getting to hear new Wolf Parade music plus Operators, plus Moonface, Handsome Furs, and Sunset Rubdown I feel spoiled with the tons of content that has branched out from this Super Band. Wolf Parade forever.
Gab S
one of my favourite songs ever, still has as much life as it did over 10 years ago
Vojife
Even more I'd say. :)
Anthony McDonald
It's 2022 and I'm still listening to this song! I want this song played at my funeral.
Richy
Four people creating such a wall of sound at the end, that works live, is proof of amazing musical ability.
potterkjp3
Definition of music on several levels
gargoylegirlfriend
'musicians learn to dance' is such a charged line
S Burnz
I just became a fan of this band...
Anthony Grantham
beautiful voice