Although religion might be a valid interpretation for this, I believe it is referring to Streetlight Manifesto's continued struggle with Victory Records. The first little chunk is talking about how their record company is telling them they are doing wrong, along with frustration at the fact that Victory is telling them they're wrong. It goes on to talk about past regrets, maybe talking about the remorse of ever signing with Victory's record label. The chorus then talks about how it is okay if they lose, because past groups signed to Victory have lost the battle as well, then maybe talking about how Victory's money buys them the right to do what they are doing due to corrupt authority figures, then finishing by saying that they, in Laymen's terms, won't take their shit and they promise that they will lash out. The second verse talked about how Streetlight was on the decline due to Victory but that their injuries, metaphorically speaking, was just a reminder of disputes won and lost with Victory. The last part of the second verse goes on to say that they will fight until Streetlight completely falls apart, or they come to an agreement with Victory, but even then, he will be weary and careful that they do him no more wrong and finally that things can always rise above. The bridge, from what I understand, talks about how everyone knew that Victory were doing wrong, but it is out of their control, they may just slowly fall apart. Now the last part really confuses me. My best guess is that it is just a thrown in part about someone who gave hope to Tomas or maybe even the whole band and they should never look back. Anyway, this may be right or completely off base, but either way it is a great song, a great album, and as always, fuck Victory Records.
@TomatoBomb i would say you are spot on, and the final verse really drives it home- the band started more or less as catch 22, and victory DESTROYED catch 22, so thomas regrouped and formed streetlight, even rereleasing the same songs- but couldn't escape his contract with victory, no matter how much he wanted them to be the bad guys, it was his name on the line that robbed them of their dues.
@TomatoBomb i would say you are spot on, and the final verse really drives it home- the band started more or less as catch 22, and victory DESTROYED catch 22, so thomas regrouped and formed streetlight, even rereleasing the same songs- but couldn't escape his contract with victory, no matter how much he wanted them to be the bad guys, it was his name on the line that robbed them of their dues.
Although religion might be a valid interpretation for this, I believe it is referring to Streetlight Manifesto's continued struggle with Victory Records. The first little chunk is talking about how their record company is telling them they are doing wrong, along with frustration at the fact that Victory is telling them they're wrong. It goes on to talk about past regrets, maybe talking about the remorse of ever signing with Victory's record label. The chorus then talks about how it is okay if they lose, because past groups signed to Victory have lost the battle as well, then maybe talking about how Victory's money buys them the right to do what they are doing due to corrupt authority figures, then finishing by saying that they, in Laymen's terms, won't take their shit and they promise that they will lash out. The second verse talked about how Streetlight was on the decline due to Victory but that their injuries, metaphorically speaking, was just a reminder of disputes won and lost with Victory. The last part of the second verse goes on to say that they will fight until Streetlight completely falls apart, or they come to an agreement with Victory, but even then, he will be weary and careful that they do him no more wrong and finally that things can always rise above. The bridge, from what I understand, talks about how everyone knew that Victory were doing wrong, but it is out of their control, they may just slowly fall apart. Now the last part really confuses me. My best guess is that it is just a thrown in part about someone who gave hope to Tomas or maybe even the whole band and they should never look back. Anyway, this may be right or completely off base, but either way it is a great song, a great album, and as always, fuck Victory Records.
@TomatoBomb i would say you are spot on, and the final verse really drives it home- the band started more or less as catch 22, and victory DESTROYED catch 22, so thomas regrouped and formed streetlight, even rereleasing the same songs- but couldn't escape his contract with victory, no matter how much he wanted them to be the bad guys, it was his name on the line that robbed them of their dues.
@TomatoBomb i would say you are spot on, and the final verse really drives it home- the band started more or less as catch 22, and victory DESTROYED catch 22, so thomas regrouped and formed streetlight, even rereleasing the same songs- but couldn't escape his contract with victory, no matter how much he wanted them to be the bad guys, it was his name on the line that robbed them of their dues.