“Caravel” by Greta Van Fleet

On “Caravel”, Greta Van Fleet are thematically harping back to the Age of Discovery. This was a period in time around 400 or so years ago when the Western world was shaped as we know it. And one of the inventions which made that possible was the advent of the caravel. 

Or put historically, the caravel was the ship that allowed Europeans to expeditiously travel back and forth to Africa, as well as venture further into the Atlantic. It helped pave the way for the international commerce which went on to define modern Western civilization.

But of course Greta Van Fleet ain’t on it like that. In other words, they aren’t the materialistic types. So what they idealize about the caravel is more of its performance capabilities than anything else. For instance, it allowed voyagers to experience a strong sense of freedom – “sail to the end of the world”, as it is put in the lyrics. And as illustrated in songs such as “Trip the Light Fantastic“, GVF is definitely on it in terms of idealizing escapism.

The Movement

Also, they introduce the caravel as this vessel that one can sail “for death or glory”.  Or put differently, to some people riding this vehicle represented a pursuit of destiny as opposed to riches. And collectively all of such individuals represented “the movement”. 

This is one of a couple of lines in the song in which GVF alludes to the major role this vehicle played in history as opposed to using more general language. And as presented in the first verse, the capabilities of the caravel made “the movement” possible.

But of course this is what people who actually know what a caravel was would pick up on. Most listeners probably never even heard of one. And as far as those who haven’t, what they would likely glean from the tune is once again this feeling of the singer romanticizing free movement. 

Yes, there are perils along the way – life-threatening even, as one might make it, or one might not. But for individuals who are actually inspired to set off into the unknown in the name of more fulfillment in life, it is as if they all share a camaraderie. They represent the modern-day “movement”. 

Judging by the singer’s own vigor in harping back to “the age of the caravel”, it can be said that the spirit that fueled that era is one that he possesses and which in general will never truly die.

Summary

In all, the narrator is apparently idealizing the idea of being eager to take risks for the purpose of fulfilling our destiny.

Facts about “Caravel” and Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet is a band from Michigan. The crew originally got together in 2012 and had their mainstream breakthrough circa 2017.  That was the year in which their first two EPs, respectively “Black Smoke Rising” and “From the Fires”, came out.  The latter won the crew a Grammy Award, even though they weren’t household names at the time.

Then they followed up with their debut full-length, a project entitled “Anthem of the Peaceful Army”. The success of that venture helped solidify GVF as music stars, as it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and charted in 20 nations overall, including topping Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart.

The Kiszka brothers, alongside Danny Wagner, went on to drop their second full-length on 16 April 2021. The name of that project is “The Battle at Garden’s Gate”. And Caravel came out as the 9^th song on its 12-track playlist.

The Kiszka brothers are Joshua, Jacob and Samuel. Josh is the lead singer of the group, Jake the guitarist and Sam the bassist. And the aforementioned Danny Wagner serves as Greta Van Fleet’s drummer.

Josh, Jake, Sam and Danny are also the writers “Caravel”. And in terms of the production of the track, credits goes to Greg Kurstin, a well-known musician from Los Angeles.