Meaning of "Dondante"?

[g-con]

I've been obsessed with this song more than any other MMJ songs over the past 2 years and I always wondered the meaning of the word "Dondante" and if there was any story behind the lyrics?

[easy way]

There is most definately a very somber meaning behind the lyrics to this song. It's not my place to speak about this in detail, but I can tell you that it's about the loss of a loved one.

[g-con]

yea I definitely got that feeling, it's definitely eerie and somber yet has a very cool vibe to it. Sometimes loss like that produces amazing things such as this song.

[Love Dogg]

What is special about this song is the interpretation can be so literal to each of us, and at the same time so different from each others interpretations.  I'm sure someone knows the "meaning" of Dondante.  Some people may think it's about suicide.  Some people may think it's about a love.  To me, it follows, note for note, mood for mood, bombast for bombast, a situation where my father and I got into a fight.  It is so vivid and real to me that it's hard to process sometimes.  Very sad indeed, but very real nonetheless.

It's all good, though.

[stevenflow1989]

I've heard a few times the lyrics relate to the lyrics of What a Wonderful Man, and I tend to agree with that.

[g-con]

Yea that makes sense too, now I just wonder where the word "Dondante" comes from... :-?

[aMillionDreams]

I don't think the meaning needs to be hidden.  He wrote it as a tribute so let's honor the person it was written for by at least calling him by name.  Jim wrote the song for his friend and ex-bandmate Aaron Todovich.  Aaron committed suicide after struggling with mental illness his whole life.  As far as dondante the word/name comes from, all I know is that is was Aaron's kinda pseudonym for himself but I don't how he came up with it.

What a Wonderful Man is also about one of Jim's friends and ex-bandmates who committed suicide around the same time Aaron did. His name was Tim Cushing.

[aMillionDreams]

Here's a treat for those interested in hearing the work of Aaron Todovich aka dondante.

http://rapidshare.com/files/147543136/No_Mail_Days_Are_Sad_Days.zip.html

Jim and Aaron's band was called Month of Sundays.  Jim and Tim's band was called Hotel Roy.

[easy way]

Here's a treat for those interested in hearing the work of Aaron Todovich aka dondante.

http://rapidshare.com/files/147543136/No_Mail_Days_Are_Sad_Days.zip.html

Jim and Aaron's band was called Month of Sundays.  Jim and Tim's band was called Hotel Roy.

Nice, thanks aMD. I haven't listened to Month of Sundays in a while. Bring it on home!

[g-con]

I don't think the meaning needs to be hidden.  He wrote it as a tribute so let's honor the person it was written for by at least calling him by name.  Jim wrote the song for his friend and ex-bandmate Aaron Todovich.  Aaron committed suicide after struggling with mental illness his whole life.  As far as dondante the word/name comes from, all I know is that is was Aaron's kinda pseudonym for himself but I don't how he came up with it.

What a Wonderful Man is also about one of Jim's friends and ex-bandmates who committed suicide around the same time Aaron did. His name was Tim Cushing.

Wow, thanks for all the insight! I'll definitely check those guys out.

[ManNamedTruth]

Here's a treat for those interested in hearing the work of Aaron Todovich aka dondante.

http://rapidshare.com/files/147543136/No_Mail_Days_Are_Sad_Days.zip.html

Jim and Aaron's band was called Month of Sundays.  Jim and Tim's band was called Hotel Roy.

You wouldn't have any Hotel Roy to download as well would you? I would purchase it if I could.

[TheRoof]

Dante's Inferno:

Dante Alighieri loses his path (commits suicide) and travels throughout the different stages of hell to embark into heaven.

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/inferno/summary.html

[TheRoof]

....and the 1924 movie 'Dante's Inferno' drives an even closer resemblance to the words spoken in 'Dondante'. The 'probable chance' that his friend may commit suicide, the attempt to help, and the feelings of guilt from his suicide.


http://www.fandango.com/dantesinferno_v12212/summary

[searchinbig]

This is a great thread with great explanations. So many times lyrics are tough to decipher. I really can't figure out what Jim is saying in his lyrics most of the time. He reminds me of Dylan in the way he writes. I'll probably take some heat for that but genius is hard to figure out!

Thanks for the insight on those tunes, helps me to understand a bit better.   :)

[aMillionDreams]

Here's a treat for those interested in hearing the work of Aaron Todovich aka dondante.

http://rapidshare.com/files/147543136/No_Mail_Days_Are_Sad_Days.zip.html

Jim and Aaron's band was called Month of Sundays.  Jim and Tim's band was called Hotel Roy.

Nice, thanks aMD. I haven't listened to Month of Sundays in a while. Bring it on home!

Actually that recording is of the Helgeson Story, which was Aaron's band after the Month of Sundays broke up. Most of the MoS stuff is still available to buy.  Check Noise pollution's site before they go out of stock!

[aMillionDreams]

Here's a treat for those interested in hearing the work of Aaron Todovich aka dondante.

http://rapidshare.com/files/147543136/No_Mail_Days_Are_Sad_Days.zip.html

Jim and Aaron's band was called Month of Sundays.  Jim and Tim's band was called Hotel Roy.

You wouldn't have any Hotel Roy to download as well would you? I would purchase it if I could.

Yeah, I could put it up.  Are you sure it's not available? As long as Riny or one of the mods doesn't come in here in the next day or two to say no way, jose, I'll put it up.

[Love Dogg]

There were a bunch available on ebay recently...like 25 or something.  I picked mine up there.  I don't know if they're still available there or not.

[ManNamedTruth]

I only saw it once on ebay, i bid but the price got too high. Haven't checked in awhile, I'll check it out....

[ManNamedTruth]

Nothing on ebay or amazon. Only 43 listeners on last.fm

[aMillionDreams]

I'd rather you download it for free then help some guy on ebay make money off the band anyway, it's not like the band sees any of that money. I'll put it up on Sunday unless Riny says no.