Celebrating their 10th anniversary, acoustic folk-rock band Kabaal klankbaan have released a brand new single entitled Not Tonight, Josephine. The single comes after releasing a lyric video for the B-Side to the single, The Flogsta Scream in the beginning of October 2020.
Representing the variety of life through sad-yet-upbeat songs whilst always having fun, Kabaal klankbaan’s music is mostly lyrically driven and bounces between heartfelt romanticism, melancholy, and a tongue-in-cheek outlook, and the energetic Not Tonight, Josephine is no exception.
The song itself dates back to around 2012-2013, with the title and refrain inspired by an idiom (usually, but probably incorrectly, attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Empress Joséphine). Not specifically inspired by relationships but rather the idea of situations where romantic desires aren’t always practical or logical; the single simultaneously describes a slightly tongue-in-cheek situation where you're saying no to someone, but still are a little obsessed with them.
“It's about accepting that things aren't always as simple as they seem, and love stories don't always have a happy ending. Because sometimes, despite your heart wanting to, your head knows that things aren't meant to be. It's also about rejection, but from the point of view of the person with the difficult job of doing the rejection.” says frontman Floris Groenewald.
Lyrically Not Tonight, Josephine features an imperfect, troubled love story without a happy ending, whilst musically being an upbeat, acoustic folk-rock song which represents a studio-polished version of what the band loves doing on stage. Longtime fans will recognise the song as something they have heard before in different iterations, and can look forward to the final definitive version as it was originally written.
“If you've ever been rejected, or even more so; if you've had to reject someone because you just aren't a good fit, even though you really want to ignore logic and just enjoy it while it lasts, this song is for you.”
lyrics
Not tonight, Josephine
I'm tired from the battles in my head, Josephine
Can't we just go quietly to bed, Josephine
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine
I've had enough, Josephine
of trying to be the man you want from me, Josephine
Frightened of what I'd truly be, Josephine
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine
Let me just go elsewhere
Close my eyes and disappear tonight
Waiting till a voice says, “it's alright”
But for tonight, just for one night,
not your voice, sweet Josephine
I'm on your side, Josephine
There's no-one's side on which I'd rather be, Josephine
Just understand this, and bear with me, Josephine
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine
You're on my mind, Josephine
But the head doesn't understand the heart, Josephine
Trying to explain, but where to even start, Josephine
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine
Let me just go elsewhere
Close my eyes and disappear tonight
Waiting till a voice says, “it's alright”
But for tonight, just for one night,
Yeah, for tonight, just for one night,
for tonight, just for one night,
not your voice, sweet Josephine
Not tonight, Josephine
I trust your promises way too much, Josephine
Your soothing words, and your loving touch, is just too much,
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine, Josephine,
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine, Josephine,
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine, Josephine,
Josephine, Josephine, Josephine, Josephine
credits
from Not Tonight, Josephine,
track released October 30, 2020
Written by Floris Groenewald.
Vocals and guitars by Floris Groenewald.
Bass by Hewie Becker.
Drums by Tebatso Rampedi.
Recorded, produced, and mixed by Jacques du Plessis at High Seas Studios. Mastered by Peach van Pletzen at Planet Awesome.
Kabaal klankbaan is Gauteng-based musician Floris Groenewald’s folk-rock music project. “It’s not a stage name,” says
Floris, “but a band, of which I’m the only permanent member.” They play acoustic, alternative folk-rock, which varies from indie-pop songs, folky dystopian love songs, bluesy rock & roll, to songs about robots and video games....more
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