Echo and Miller formed the band in the fall of 1998, citing a mutual love of old-school new wave, dance-punk energy and dark pop, with bassist Jeff Jaeger, drummer Scott Ellis (Mellowdrone, She Wants Revenge) and guitarist Mike Smith. The latter left during the recording of their debut album, Shakedown!, which was released on The Label, a sub-label of Geffen Records.
After returning from touring, the band found the label was closing its doors, and, after Scott Ellis' departure, released The 1234 EP independently. Following a 2002 summer tour supporting Scarling., the band gathered enough money to release theSTART EP on Smallstone Records. After a tour supporting AFI, the band was signed to Nitro Records. Stabilizing a new line-up with Erick Sanger and Billy Brimblecom, Jr., they recorded their next album, Initiation. In the meantime, theSTART EP was re-released on Nitro Records under the title Death Via Satellite. Unfortunately, on the day of Initiation's release, Brimblecom announced his departure. The band proceeded to tour with artists such as The Offspring, Auf Der Maur and Garbage with a number of fill-in drummers. Sanger was let go in 2006 for unclear reasons, paving the way for current rhythm section Lance Webber and Chelsea Davis. The band also parted ways with Nitro Records, and signed with Metropolis Records later that year, releasing Ciao, Baby in 2007.
Ciao Baby
theSTART Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She love obscure
His eyes fell right
Right into to her
Seven sisters swallowed
Everything she could see
He could be the one for her
You recognize my disguise,
Doesn't make me like you more"
Sayonara or ciao, baby
It's all the same to me
Sayonara or ciao, baby
Auf wiedersehen
His hands, heart, arms
Fists, fingers
Turn back too late
She lingers
Today will be a day of reckoning
Time to leave
Time to leave the fear at the door
Sayonara or ciao, baby
It's all the same to me
Sayonara or ciao, baby
Auf wiedersehen
(we could)
We could try this
One time more
Once with feeling
Even the score
Today will be a day of reckoning
Time to leave
Time to leave the fear at the door
And I said, "I'm so pleased to see
You recognize my disguise,
Doesn't make me like you more"
Sayonara or ciao, baby
It's all the same to me
Sayonara or ciao, baby
Auf wiedersehen
The lyrics of theSTART's song "Ciao Baby" are about a relationship that is about to come to an end. The lead singer tells a story of a woman who is into obscure and rare things. A man enters her life and she sees potential despite the fact that he recognized the pretended person she was portraying. The woman dismisses the need for validation from the man since their relationship is almost over, and happily says her goodbyes. The chorus repeats the phrase "Sayonara or ciao, baby / It's all the same to me / Auf wiedersehen," which means goodbye in several different languages.
The second verse conveys that the man regrets not appreciating the woman during their time together. He wishes to make amends, but it is too late. The singer also mentions that the day feels like a day of reckoning, implying that the relationship had issues that needed to be addressed. The man does not want to let go, but the woman is ready to leave the relationship in the past.
The song's meaning is about letting go of a relationship that is no longer working. The lyrics express a sentiment of liberation, as the woman is ready to move on with her life. The song also uses culturally diverse phrases like "Sayonara" and "Auf wiedersehen" to illustrate their relationship's cultural differences. The lyrics of "Ciao Baby" are delivered over an upbeat and energetic melody, inviting listeners to dance and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
She liked b-sides
She had a preference for lesser-known or niche things
She love obscure
She enjoyed things that were not widely known or popular
His eyes fell right
He looked at her directly and with interest
Right into to her
He was intrigued by her and interested in getting to know her
Seven sisters swallowed
She consumed everything she could see or experience
Everything she could see
She was eager to explore and experience as much as possible
He could be the one for her
She saw potential in him as a romantic partner
And she said, "i'm so pleased to see
She expressed her pleasure at being recognized by him, but added a caveat
You recognize my disguise,
She revealed that she had been disguising herself in some way
Doesn't make me like you more"
She did not automatically like him more just because he recognized her disguise
Sayonara or ciao, baby
Goodbye in either Japanese or Italian
It's all the same to me
The specific language of the goodbye does not matter
Auf wiedersehen
Goodbye in German
His hands, heart, arms
He was emotionally invested and physically open to her
Fists, fingers
He was prepared to fight or protect himself as well
Turn back too late
He realized too late that he wanted to be with her
She lingers
Her presence or memory stays with him
Today will be a day of reckoning
There will be a moment of truth or decision
Time to leave
It is time to move on or make a change
Time to leave the fear at the door
One must face challenges bravely and without hesitation
We could try this
There is potential to explore or pursue something
One time more
One more chance or attempt
Once with feeling
To do something with sincere emotion or intention
Even the score
To balance or rectify a previous situation or relationship
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.