It's Warmer in the Basement

Today something clicked when I listened to this song again . It's about a band being signed to a record lable having their naive dreams ripped from them as the record lable forces them to change.

Its title is reference to how small bands start out playing in a garage or basement and says that it was comforting (warmer) when they used to play for fun there .

"You can't escape now, I've got you locked inside this room. You know I tip good and soon you will love me too."

This is the point after signing the contract that they can't escape from, the lable is telling them that if they do what they are told they will become stars and be happy they took the advice.

"Don't get upset now, you know I get angry too, don't make me hurt you"

Is the lable telling the band that if they want to be defiant the lable could destroy their dream

"It's true, no one hears you in this room"

It's a sound booth in a recording studio where the band gets put in a sound proof box which is a further metaphor for not having your voice heard.

"This is what you get when you're talking back baby, I've never bounced a check so give in maybe "

The label is taunting them with all the same and fortune the band could have if they would just give in already and make the changes

"Open up your eyes"

Stop being naive

"I want to watch you cry, come on, come on, the camera's on"

People don't just care about a band with good music they care about drama and scandals, either you get publicity or we will manufacture it for you.

" Now I'm a changed man but as a boy I was so true. "

This is a metaphor for the band losing its innocence. They thought they could do it for the music and that would be enough to stand out after their big break but they have learned diffrent.

" The world can't protect you . It's true, not like money will"

The band is in a rough place with a contract they can't get out of to a lable that forces them to change who they are. Fans don't see them the same. And here the lable is telling the band that they are making money and that's really what matters .

"You want your bread now, just promise me you'll never make me believe you."

This shows trust issues toward the people around them. There are those that say they like the new direction the band took even though it wasn't their choice . They put up with the people they are surrounded with that prop up this new look but they don't want to believe that people actually like it better .

It's true No one hears you in this room.