In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
They always said that you
Would never be anything
Everything you tried to do was
Just a waste of time
But you believed you could do
Anything you wanted to
You made your mind up
And you never looked behind
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
The years go by and find that
Nothing comes easily
And the world is full of people
Tryin to take you down
Don't ever turn your back on
Anythin you'll ever be
You don't need to prove yourself
To anybody else
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
There is no run for second best
No second chance don't fail the test
Gotta rise above the rest
Gotta try to make your mark
No need to be so vain
No need to act so proud
Follow the trends don't ever
Stand out from the crowd
Do you really care what
Other people think about you
Does it really matter what they do
Or what they say
You fought so hard to let 'em
Throw it all back in your face
When their opinion never
Mattered anyway
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
Don't lose your individuality
Don't lose your individuality
Would never be anything
Everything you tried to do was
Just a waste of time
But you believed you could do
Anything you wanted to
You made your mind up
And you never looked behind
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
The years go by and find that
Nothing comes easily
And the world is full of people
Tryin to take you down
Don't ever turn your back on
Anythin you'll ever be
You don't need to prove yourself
To anybody else
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
There is no run for second best
No second chance don't fail the test
Gotta rise above the rest
Gotta try to make your mark
No need to be so vain
No need to act so proud
Follow the trends don't ever
Stand out from the crowd
Do you really care what
Other people think about you
Does it really matter what they do
Or what they say
You fought so hard to let 'em
Throw it all back in your face
When their opinion never
Mattered anyway
Don't let them try to tell you
How to live your life
Don't let them hold you back
Don't ever change your mind
[Chorus]
Individuality
Be proud of what you are
Individuality
Don't let them cut you down
You can be whatever you want to be
But don't change your self for society
Don't lose your individuality
Don't lose your individuality
Don't lose your individuality
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
"but dont change your self for society dont lose your individuality."
This song is about not conforming to society and being yourself no matter what people think of you, what you mean to you is what is important. To "Be proud of what you are."
Area 7 has been a very important band to me since around January 06 when i was first introduced to the band. This isn't there best but a great none the less.
If you like ska i urge you to listen to this band, they are a very cheerful band and can often raise your mood if things get down.