Kingdoms rise and fall, but Chicago, IL indie rockers Empires aren’t going anywhere. Forming in 2007, the band has since released multiple recordings including their newest EP How Good Does it Feel, which dropped on June 17th through Chop Shop/Island Records. Vocalist Sean Van Vleet took the opportunity to open up about the song “Please Don’t Tell My Lover,” which is featured on the newest EP.
Background
The song came after a conversation I had with a publisher friend of mine out of Nashville. We were having beers one night while I was passing through town. He was telling me about one of the new country artists he was was managing doing a hip hop collaboration that seemed exciting. The conversation turned for a moment onto my songwriting, which he’s supported for years. He said to me “you’re such a positive guy…tell me, why the hell is all of your new music so damn dark?”
I went in for a long sip of of beer cause I didn’t know what to say.
The next day, I wrote the progression and verses for what would end up being “Please Don’t Tell My Lover”. On the surface, the song seems to be something that it truly isn’t, which is exactly what the song is about…
Oh my dear, what have we here
An endless drift in a silent affair
I can’t understand what’s in my heart
All was bliss but all has gone dark
Since I killed my idols, Melted down my vinyl
Made a black hole, to an odd world
Got homicidal
Now my heart aint in it,
I don’t like to fake it
Got a part-time wonder…
Please don’t ever tell my lover
And on I’ve went, concealing repents
I’ve lost the charm all spark I had left
The horror has a dance around in my chest
Every hour my brain is undressed
So I’ve killed my idols
They’re dead in the vinyl
All the peace came outta my soul
It’s all recital
She can’t understand the dark side of my heart
All the part time wonders,
Please don’t ever tell my lover
Every now and then I wander back, Every time I keep coming back
Every now and then I wander back
Please don’t ever tell my lover
