Death in Midsummer

Album: Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared? (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Russian Revolution is the name given to the two revolutions of March and November 1917 which began with the overthrow of Emperor Nicholas II and the old regime and ended with the establishment of a state run by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. In between the two revolutions, there were massed armed demonstrations in St. Petersburg encouraged by the Bolsheviks, demanding "All Power to the Soviets."

    This anthemic song was inspired by a photograph found by Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox in a book with the caption "Revolution In The Streets of St. Petersburg, July 1917." The photo shows figures of people running away from piles of bodies.
  • Bradford Cox told Billboard that he recorded the vocals for this song around 230 times. "And one day I got it, and it was done," he added. "When it's right, it's right."
  • The song drives along on a lilting harpsichord figure played by Cate Le Bon. The Welsh singer-songwriter is also listed as co-producer. Cate Le Bon has also worked with Manic Street Preachers ("4 Lonely Roads", "Let's Go to War") and The Chemical Brothers ("Born In The Echoes ").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.