The roots of the band can be traced back to the East Coast where, in 2005, founding members Wesley Schultz (vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion) began working together in a variety of different New York City bands. Thus, she could not give her love an answer right away. As the drummer and co-founder for indie folk rock band The Lumineers, Jeremiah Fraites has co-written songs such as “Ho Hey,” the debut single that brought the band international fame in 2012. We can “read the script” all we want, but sometimes the best we can do is to play our part to the fullest until the end. The last songs of this chapter, “April” and “The Salt and the Sea,” portray a kind of dreary, melancholy feeling to close the final chapter of The Sparks family’s story. What you might not know is that these two songs belong to a ten-part music video series that, together, are the length of a short film. Now that all four songs have been released, and with further interviews of The Lumineers, I was able to piece together the entire story that further solidified my love for these master storytellers. The Lumineers Share a Story of Sadness on ‘III’ The band’s third album dives into the quiet pain of family addiction. The music videos for all four songs can be found at the bottom along with the interviews. This is a story of life as it is. All too often, the songs that get played endlessly in a certain span of time wear out their welcome pretty quick. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. You can use them to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. They want you to learn something and feel something from start through to finish. The intentionality and creative thought processes behind this dual-medium album, creates both a sensational and magical experience. Please believe me, I smell the alcohol. The folk-rockers share the set's first single, "Ophelia." Two people deeply in love with each other, but torn by the circumstances. “Love we need it now,” he sings. She is well into old age, and she reminisces about the past. But her actions speak the truth. Wesley Schultz sings early on in the song, “I can write a song.” Man, was he not kidding. Ophelia is alternately narrated, almost like a conversation, starting with Angela. 2/15/17: Random part 1; Embarrassing moments, Clark moments, etc. The lines, “But I was sad you asked it, as I laid in a black dress with my father in a casket” shows that her father has just passed away and if she were to leave, her mother would have been all alone. ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua The Lumineers are back on top of Billboard's Alternative Songs chart with their single "Cleopatra," the title track from the band's sophomore album. if ( localStorage.getItem(skinItemId ) ) { Already a member? The Lumineers have said that the song "Angela," is about "a small town success story struggling to escape her past." Comments Off Share Article . Although the lyrics don’t follow any kind of linear storyline, they’re full of passion and heart. if ( localStorage.getItem(skinItemId ) ) { Become a member. “When people hear [the 2012 crossover hit] ‘Ho Hey,’ this simple sunny song, “Fraites says.. “But that’s okay, that was our intent. It's also worth noting that the young couple, her and the boy in the previous video show up several times. The Lumineers open up about intense story behind 'Gloria' - Duration: 11:00. No matter what Angela thinks however, the man is still in love with Angela. The true story behind the Lumineers Tetralogy: Sleep on the Floor, Angela, Cleopatra, Ophelia. A good song will translate whether it’s a baron or sparse arrangement or whether it’s built up. We live by the decisions we make, and we should make the most out of our lives going forth, I think that is what Angela wanted to tell us through this story. _g1.setAttribute('srcset', _g1.getAttribute('data-srcset')); He exits the building and begins to dance along the street to the beat of the music. try { "Charlie Boy" The opening … Years from now, when those who do such things look back on the cultural phenomena that gripped the attention of our nation, it will be impossible for them to avoid “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers. Well, not only Brooklyn, but the while world paid attention to the song, so mission accomplished. SongMeanings. The Band also recorded a song titled "Ophelia" for their 1975 album Northern Lights – Southern Cross.Wesley Schultz was concerned about giving The Lumineers' tune the same name. She becomes a taxi driver to distract herself from her woes. There’s a reason the song has become so ubiquitous in the time since it humbly made its national debut on the CW drama Hart of Dixie back in 2011. Not to mention, the videos themselves only made sense when viewed in the correct sequence, and the names used in each song is different. Make no mistake though: “Ho Hey” is not a novelty song. Lumineers co-founder Jeremiah Fraites said "This collection of songs worked out in a beautiful way, and I feel with this album we've really hit our stride." She felt like Cleopatra, like an actress, taller than the rafters, taller than life itself. In this episode, Wes and Jeremiah break down their song “Ophelia.” You’ll hear their demos and a version that didn’t make it to the album. “She should have known better”, but she thinks that by now ”you don’t feel nothing back”. It is a story of “ifs” and “could have beens”, making mistakes, immorality, irrationality, and ultimately, seeing through life until the very end with the burdens of decisions past. The Lumineers' Wesley Schultz details the group's heavy new album . Here is the true story of Angela. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Wesley Schultz sings, "Pack yourself a toothbrush, dear / Pack yourself a favorite blouse / Take a withdrawal slip, take all of your savings out." And basically Donna’s defining characteristic is her addiction, seemingly to alcohol. As with most albums, a listen from start to finish is important to artists. In 2018, both became first-time fathers … So she simply “plays her part”, accepting her fate and living on. Create Account. That schedule took a toll on their relationship, but they ended up putting it into their songs. Angela has aged and is reflecting on her life–specifically that moment when her true love “knelt by my mattress and asked for my hand”. Cleopatra (Analysis) _g1.classList.remove('lazyload'); When the Lumineers released their second album called “Cleopatra”, fans immediately picked up no four tunes: Sleep on the Floor, Angela, Cleopatra, and Ophelia. The Lumineers have always had a knack for narrative songwriting. He leaves behind mud footprints on the carpet, and she “left the footprints, the mud stained on the carpet” as a memory of him and that day. Log In. The Lumineers Lyrics, Songs, Albums And More at SongMeanings! Or perhaps because it reminds her of that day he had taken the taxi to leave town. Jim Beviglia search-form. There is a bed and a bathroom–“a place for an end”. He explains that he "was not born to drown." In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, frontman Wesley Schultz even describes Cleopatra as a \"heavier record,\" and Rolling Stone explains that \"[o]n 'Ophelia,' the darker tone of the Lumineers' new music can be heard … The Lumineers charm doesn’t just come from their uniquely acoustic style. As lead … Ophelia (Analysis) var _g1; ( Log Out /  Music: "I was a big fan of The Band growing up and also our new bass player Byron [Isaacs] played for like six years with Levon Helm, the drummer from The Band, at his 'rambles,' so he was incredible. _g1.setAttribute('src', _g1.getAttribute('data-src') ); Mixtapes; Forums; Lyrics; Artists add; Journals; Artists - L; The Lumineers The Lumineers. My personal favorite song of these four is “Angela”. Sandwiching the rest of the song, the intro and outro are very similar and both develop the same theme of leaving a small town before it's too late. In an interview with NPR, Fraites and Schultz both explained how their lives have been impacted by addiction, and that this album was intended to chronicle the effects of addiction on family members and loved ones.   "Flapper Girl" A very piano-dominated piece, "Flapper Girl" doesn't necessarily exemplify the folksy style of The Lumineers, but its easy-going "saloon" style piano is a prime example of what Jeremiah Caleb Fraites, the band's dummer, says about their style: "Anyone who can play an instrument can play a Lumineers song." The songs seemed to be connected in some way, but the music videos were released in reverse order which left many fans confused. “And I figured if we could punctuate it with shouts we might get someone’s attention.”. The Lumineers released their second album on April 8, 2016. Fans don’t usually associate The Lumineers with darkness. 9. Indeed it can be gathered from the lyrics of this song that the subject has a distinct history and is not wholly meant to serve as a symbol of a group of people. We feel like it would be fun maybe at some point to build songs up and do that. And so when the time comes to “die alone” she will be just on time. The song is about running away from commitment and going back to those who love you. The folk-rockers previously made it to number one with "Ophelia" and their breakthrough single, "Ho Hey." And with their love intact stronger than ever, they parted ways. The funny thing is, he … June 11, 2020, 8:19 am Songwriters Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites tell the story in three chapters following three generations of one family all within the folksy and poetic tone that makes them The Lumineers. THE TOP 10 LUMINEERS SONGS. Schultz and Fraites began writing and performing together in Ramsey, New Jersey in 2005. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. And with little time left in her life now, she says, “I read this script and the costume fits”, meaning she knows how this will end up–alone–and she knows she deserves this tragedy for not leaving with her true love when he asked her to. 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In an interview with American Songwriter in 2012, he explained just what he was trying to achieve. Lumineers frontman Wesley Schultz sings them with a unique combination of vulnerability and force, putting not just his heart but also his guts on his sleeve. When the Lumineers released their second album called “Cleopatra”, fans immediately picked up no four tunes: Sleep on the Floor, Angela, Cleopatra, and Ophelia. shows that he eventually got married to another woman, and the lines in the previous song finally makes sense–“The second time around, the only love I ever found” refers to his second relationship with another woman, but that Angela had always been his one and only love. And this time, “I won’t be late for this”. It sounded minimalistic because we wanted it to feel that way—we wanted that vibe.” But that was seven years ago, and the partners’ lives have changed considerably since then. The title track of The Lumineers‘ 2016 album, Cleopatra, might share the name of Egyptian royalty, but it’s actually inspired by a real-life encounter with a much different woman. She still feels regret over her decision not to go with her true love. } catch(e) {}, by Only members can comment. From there, it worked its way into commercials and movie trailers, got covered on the ABC show Nashville and in concert by Taylor Swift, and even received the ultimate tribute: A late-night parody from Jimmy Fallon and friends in chicken suits. The church discouraged her love for an already married man, but she held true. He told Jam! The narrator is a guy singing to his girlfriend, telling her that they need to leave town or "[w]e might never make it out." 2/22/17: Reminiscing about the phases of my life and some lessons I’ve learned, 3/22/17; What I think about happiness after studying abroad, The distinction between failures of capitalism, and failures of the correct implementation of pure capitalism. The story of "Sweet Home Alabama" begins not in Alabama but in Jacksonville, Florida. First off it should be noted that the titular “Donna” is a character on The Lumineers’ concept album “III”. Now a nurse in white shoes leads her to her guestroom in a retirement home. 4 Comments. Log in. During an interview, The Lumineers also mentioned how the name "Angela" comes from lead singer Wesley Schultz's ex-girlfriend Angela Henard; noting: "Although we didn't work out she still holds a place in my heart. Cumulus Digital - SF 130,017 views. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-mobile-inverted-img'); Their first album went platinum, and they spent months touring relentlessly in support of it. 10. Finding his dad's gun got Wes thinking about himself and his capacity to protect or stand up for his beliefs, his sweetheart, or his family. The song continues as he pleasantly strides along. The song rolled to #3 on the US charts and was a Top 10 hit in countries all over the world, which is quite remarkable considering the simplicity of that chant-along title that anchors the song. It wasn't until five years after getting together that they finally settled on the name Lynyrd Skynyrd though, after their former P.E. } catch(e) {}, try { _g1.classList.remove('lazyload'); } Change ), This is a text widget, which allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. Living in the small town he's in isn't helping him to accomplish … The band is playing the song for a crowd when lead singer, Wesley Shultz, steps out of his own body and removes himself from the chaos of his current life; just as the meaning of the song depicts. For all its ubiquity, The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” still sounds fresh. She says in an interview that two of her happiest days were when she had her one and only son and when she got divrced to a man she never loved. var _g1; “The only gifts from my Lord were a birth and a divorce” also reveals in the previous song, that she had made love and become pregnant with a different man whom she eventually divorced. ( Log Out /  _g1.setAttribute('src', _g1.getAttribute('data-src') ); “That song was an effort to get under people’s skin at shows in Brooklyn, where everyone is pretty indifferent,” he said. Now, on days where I am feeling a little lost or lonely, I play this song with a little extra volume behind is because I feel The Lumineers ultimately believe in the concept of belonging as well. This is the ending of the story. And with that, her true love disappears feeling rejected. They want to take you on a journey. The true story behind the Lumineers Tetralogy: Sleep on the Floor, Angela, Cleopatra, Ophelia. She thinks that because he eventually got a new girlfriend whom he married, he must think he is “above her”. This theme of protection runs through each verse of the song. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-img'); The Lumineers vocalist wrote the song with Cleopatra producer Simone Felice during motorbike trips they took to clear their heads between takes. Lumineers frontman Wesley Schultz sings them with a unique combination of vulnerability and force, putting not just his heart but also his guts on his sleeve. The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado.The founding members are Wesley Schultz (lead vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion, piano). And why would they ever want to avoid it? Photo credit Kevin Winter / Staff. Cellist and vocalist Neyla Pekarek joined the band in 2010, and was a member until 2018. Not only is this true … Skip to Content. They’ll explain how the final track … The lead single, “Gloria,” is quickly climbing Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart, and we’re learning more about the story behind the track. By Michael Cerio. This tender guitar-picked tune finds Wesley Schultz singing about a small town beauty struggling to escape her past. We can see from the second stanza that she still cannot hide her feelings of bitterness. Indeed, it harkens back to the golden days of rock and roll, when songs with nonsensical titles like “Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp),” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Do Wah Diddy” sounded like the most profound poetry to radio listeners. Unlike his father, he says he doesn't own a single gun, meaning he's worried he doesn't have the courage to throw a punch or get in the face of all the bad men trying to hurt those he loves. The Lumineers explain story behind number-one single "Cleopatra" Tweet. } By Madison Vain. The lines “Damn your wife, I’d be your mistress just to have you around”. Their emotion-packed songs get us in our feels every time we listen. Their multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated debut The Lumineers paved the way for the chart-topping 2016 follow-up Cleopatra and a 2019 song cycle titled III. Lumineers fans picked up the slack, singing the following passage loud enough to convey the message: “She left, she left, the writing's on the wall. But you’ll never really know how good a song is unless you start there, unless you start from that sort of bare bones arrangement. “Oh Ophelia, you’ve been on my mind girl since the flood”, refers to the fact that Angela never left his mind since their breakup, despite his new marriage. 11:00. Although she deeply loves him, the reality is that she was too “late for that, late for this, late for the love of my life”. As the music of Ophelia fades out, transitional notes fall in, eventually … song lyrics, song meanings, albums, music and more. That's exactly what she does in the video, although she doesn't go back to someone who loves her but that might be the next chapter in the story. “Let’s hope for some/’Cause oh, we’re bleeding out.”, It’s almost impossible for this song to fade into the background, which was just as Schultz intended when he wrote it back when he still lived in New York, before his disillusionment caused him to move to Colorado. That's where, in 1964, five teenagers formed what would eventually become the iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. That day he left town, she wrote him a letter that said, “Honey, I love you.” That’s all it said. But now we are shown the subtle brutality of life. _g1.setAttribute('srcset', _g1.getAttribute('data-srcset')); So she puts up barriers between her and her once true love–“you can’t see past my blinders”. Well, now the band has a new album coming out; it's called Cleopatra, and everyone I've read has been theorizing that it's going to be darker and moodier than the light-hearted feeling of The Lumineer's last album. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-mobile-inverted-source'); Edit them in the Widget section of the, A failing artist dedicates his last song to his mother and rises to stardom, Japan’s music legend Utada Hikaru sends flowers to her passed mother. Drops of Jupiter–a story of grief, deep fried chicken, and a different perspective on loss. The Lumineers' 'III' Tells A Deeply Personal Story : World Cafe Already one of the biggest bands in the world, The Lumineers did something adventurous on the group's third album, 'III.' He leaves and her heart hardened like the mud. ( Log Out /  And so she tells herself that she also feels no more remorse–empty words to comfort herself. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-source'); Producer Simone Felice during motorbike trips they took to clear their heads between takes Lumineers Tetralogy: Sleep on Lumineers... Of grief, deep fried chicken, and she reminisces about the.! Folk-Rockers previously made it to number one with `` Ophelia '' and their breakthrough single, ``.! Of Jupiter–a story of life as it is at the bottom along the... That day he had taken the taxi to leave town he married, must! Of linear storyline, they ’ re full of passion and heart ever, they re. Baron or sparse arrangement or whether it ’ s a baron or arrangement! 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