THE LUMINEERS - THE BALLAD OF CLEOPATRA

THE BALLAD OF CLEOPATRA

THE LUMINEERS

SONGWRITERS: WESLEY SCHULTZ; SIMONE FELICE & JEREMY FRAITES

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: CLEOPATRA

LABEL: DUALTONE RECORDS

GENRE: FOLK ROCK

YEAR: 2016

 

          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). Schultz and Fraites began writing and performing together in Ramsey, New Jersey in 2005. Cellist and vocalist Neyla Pekarek(cello) joined the band in 2010, and was a member until 2018. The Lumineers emerged as one of the most popular folk-rock/Americana artists during the revival of those genres, their popularity growing in the 2010s. The band's stripped back raw sound draws heavily from artists that influenced Schultz and Fraites such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. They are known for their energetic live shows and several international hit singles including "Ho Hey", "Stubborn Love", "Ophelia" "Angela" and "Cleopatra". The band has become one of the top touring bands in the United States and is also popular in other countries.

         The Lumineers have released three albums on American independent label Dualtone Records(Dine Alone in Canada and Decca/Universal worldwide). Their self-titled first album was released in 2012 and peaked at Nº 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It has been certified triple platinum in the U.S. and Canada, platinum in the U.K. and Ireland, and gold in Australia. Their second album, Cleopatra, was released in 2016 and debuted at Nº 1 on the Billboard 200, and also on the Canadian and British album charts. It is currently certified platinum in the U.S. Their third album, titled III, was released on September 13, 2019 and debuted at Nº 2 on the Billboard 200. The Lumineers have publicly campaigned to ban mobile phones at their concerts, providing a locking pouch for people to hold their phones in during live performances.

          "Cleopatra" is a song recorded by American folk rock band the Lumineers. The song serves as the title track to their second studio álbum of the same name.

         "Cleopatra" was released as the album's second single on March 25, 2016.

I was Cleopatra, I was young and an actress

When you knelt by my mattress, and asked for my hand

But I was sad you asked it, as I laid in a black dress

With my father in a casket, I had no plans, yeah

 

And I left the footprints, the mud stain on the carpet

And it hardened like my heart did when you left town

But I must admit it, that I would marry you in an instant

Damn your wife, I'd be your mistress just to have you around

 

But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life

And when I die alone, when I die alone, die I'll be on time, ah, yeah

 

While the church discouraged, any lust that burned within me

Yes my flesh, it was my currency, but I held true

So I drive a taxi, and the traffic distracts me

From the strangers in my backseat, they remind me of you

 

But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life

And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I'll be on time

 

And the only gifts from my Lord were a birth and a divorce

But I've read this script and the costume fits, so I'll play my part

 

I was Cleopatra, I was taller than the rafters

But that's all in the past love, gone with the wind

Now a nurse in white shoes leads me back to my guestroom

It's a bed and a bathroom

And a place for the end

 

I won't be late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life

And when I die alone, when I die alone, die I'll be on time, ah.