SEETHER has been a lifeline for me. I know it’s Fangirl to admit – Perhaps easily dismissible by data-based scholars. But there is much value in the Alternative Hard Rock Music of an ‘angsty’ middle school boy. I have found more honesty and truth in the lyric, melody, discord and scream of desperation in this Art-Form than from any other medium. This was the only validation of my inner turmoil, keeping me afloat for a very long time. Until I found the courage to write about my experience, it was my only release. It validated feelings of confusion until I could piece together the memories with the words. It continues to be my guide when I doubt myself. It uplifts and pushes me forward when I’m adrift.
SEETHER, Staind, Creed, Daughtry, Three Days Grace, Shinedown, and 5FDP, became my life’s soundtrack, because their lyrics mirrored and confirmed my indignance. Five Finger Death Punch not only says, “You’re Not Alone,” but also validates that it’s okay to feel, “It could have been much worse, but it should have been better.”
I genuinely appreciate and wonder at how these angry words, discordant melodies, and desperate screams, by their very honesty and brutality, can illicit such calm.
Music is such a powerfully sustaining force in my life. These interludes of meeting musicians are a large part of who I am, as these artists and their craft have contributed to my being able to move forward at times, I wasn’t certain I ever could. They lift me up, give voice to my confusion, and they place value on my grief and loss, while allowing me to also celebrate appreciation for all that we are and all that we have become.
Music is my prayer, and a rock concert is my church.
Against the Wall, SEETHER, 2017
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Shaun Morgan Welgemoed Against The Wall lyrics © The Bicycle Music Company
So everyday I’m against the wall
With nowhere to turn to
And if I dare to believe at all
It leaves me deflated
My mind begins to strain
And my thoughts begin to run
I’ve played it out
I can’t seem to find the peace
I’ve heard about
Am I not supposed to?
So every day I could lose it all
Don’t let this concern you
So will you catch me if I fall
And keep me elated
It’s not complicated…
Burning Bright, Shinedown, 2003
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Brent Smith / Tony Battaglia Burning Bright lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
There’s nothing ever wrong, but nothing’s ever right
Such a cruel contradiction
I know I crossed the line, it’s not easy to define
I’m born to indecision
There’s always something new, some path I’m supposed to choose
With no particular rhyme or reason…
I feel like there is no need for conversation…
Coming Down, Five Finger Death Punch, 2012
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Ivan Moody / Jeremy Spencer / Kevin Churko / Thomas Jason Grinstead / Zoltan Bathory Coming Down lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
It’s caving in around me
What I thought was solid ground…
I could never be
What you want me to
You pulled me under
To save yourself
(Save yourself)
You will never see
What’s inside of me
I pulled you under just to save myself
Was there ever any question
On how much I could take?
You kept feeding me your bullshit
Hoping I would break
Is there anybody out there?
Is there anyone who cares?
Is there anybody listening?
Will they hear my final prayers?…
Epiphany, Staind, 2001 (Describes feelings similar to Derealization/Dissociation)
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Aarron Lewis Epiphany lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
Your words to me just a whisper
Your face is so unclear
I try to pay attention
Your words just disappear’Cause it’s always raining in my head
Forget all the things I should have said
How Did You Love?, Shinedown, 2015
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Brent Smith / Scott Stevens How Did You Love? lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
No one gets out alive, every day is do or die
The one thing you leave behind
Is how did you love, how did you love?
It’s not what you believe, those prayers will make you bleed
But while you’re on your knees
How did you love, how did you love, how did you love?
M.I.N.E. (End This Way), Five Finger Death Punch, 2013 (It could have been much worse But it should have been better,,,) (I’m not alone… You’re not alone… No one’s alone…)
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Ivan Moody / Jason Thomas Grinstead / Jeremy Spencer Heyde / Kane Gregory Churko / Kevin Gregory Churko / Zoltan Bathory M.I.N.E (End This Way) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
…Everybody’s born with their own curse
And I’m not alone…
…Deep inside I know what I am worth
A life of my own…
It could have been much worse
But it should have been better…
I just can’t compromise, apologize
There’s nothing you can say
We both knew
It would always end this way…
No Jesus Christ, SEETHER, 2007
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Shaun Welgemoed / Dale Stewart / John Humphrey No Jesus Christ lyrics © Reservoir Media Management Inc
Your verbal defecation, I can’t wash away despite myself
Your vanity, it seems, has served you well
You’re so quick to choose the path walked by the righteous
So you can go and nest among the weak
The innocent observers will refuse to find the lie within
Renew the disappointment of the meek…
No Surprise, Daughtry, 2009
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Rune Westberg / Chad Kroeger / Chris Daughtry / Eric Dill No Surprise lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
I’ve practiced this for hours, gone round and round
And now I think that I’ve got it all down
And as I say it louder, I love how it sounds
‘Cause I’m not taking the easy way out
Not wrappin’ this in ribbons
Shouldn’t have to give a reason why
It’s no surprise I won’t be here tomorrow
I can’t believe that I stayed till today…
It came out like a river once I let it out
When I thought that I wouldn’t know how
Held onto it forever, just pushing it down
Felt so good to let go of it now
Not wrapping this in ribbons
Shouldn’t have to give a reason why…
Daughtry – Over You
Artist: Daughtry Album: Daughtry Released: 2006 Genre: Hard rock
Now that it’s all said and done
I can’t believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down
Like an old abandoned house
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath
I felt as if I was in way to deep
Guess I let you get the best of me
Well, I never saw it coming
I should have started running
A long, long time ago!
And I never thought I’d doubt you
I’m better off without you
More than you, more than you know
I’m slowly getting closure
I guess it’s really over
I’m finally gettin’ better
Now I’m picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together
‘Cause the day I thought I’d never get through, I got over you!
You took a hammer to these walls
Dragged the memories down the hall
Packed your bags, and walked away
There was nothing I could say
And when you slammed the front door shut
A lot of others opened up
So did my eyes, so I could see
That you never were the best for me…
Remember Everything, Five Finger Death Punch, 2011
Source: LyricFindSongwriters: Ivan Moody / Jeremy Spencer / Kane Churko / Kevin Churko / Thomas Jason Grinstead / Zoltan BathroyRemember Everything lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Oh, dear mother, I love you
I’m sorry, I wasn’t good enough
Dear father, forgive me
‘Cause in your eyes, I just never added up
In my heart I know I failed you
But you left me here alone…
Oh, dear brother, just don’t hate me
For never standing by you or being by your side
Dear sister, please don’t blame me
I only did what I thought was truly right
It’s a long and lonely road
When you know you walk alone…
It all went by so fast
I still can’t change the past
I always will remember everything
If we could start again
Would that change the end
We remember everything
Everything
Right Here, Staind, 2005
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Aaron Lewis / Michael Mushok / Jonathan Wysocki / John April Right Here lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Warner Chappell Music Inc
I know I’ve been mistaken
But just give me a break
And see the changes that I’ve made
I’ve got some imperfections
But how can you collect them all
And throw them in my face
But you always find a way
To keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say
To keep me right here waiting
If you chose to walk away
I’d still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say
To keep you right here waiting
I hope you’re not intending
To be so condescending
It’s as much as I can take
And you’re so independent
You just refuse to bend
So I keep bending till I break