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BY GAV RUADH Rather than give you all a generic lyrics page, which you can find in the cd booklets anyway, I thought it would be a cool idea to tell the stories and inspirations behind every song instead. Every song I write is a true story. That's the thing I'm most proud of with regards to my song writing. Be it of something myself or somebody else has gone through, or an observation or opinion. Some songs are fairly self explanatory, others are a little more cryptic maybe. Here's to the stories behind the songs, and anything else of note. RHYTHM & BRUISE 2005 1. RETRIBUTION BE MY NAME A tale of the desire of revenge. A direct answer for a pretty direct kind of song. An often used cliche', but this one really did "write itself"!! Was feeling some rage and what better way than to get a song out of it. The "wise man" mentioned in the song was actually a main character in a classic movie. A clue? He spent a lot of his time trying to catch a fly with chopsticks..... 2. ANYWHERE BUT HERE Again, really quite a simple desire to be anywhere else than where you're standing. Be it a person or place, the boredom or frustration of which you really cannot stand another minute of. 3. DECADENCE For a long time, most of the clubs and night spots I had attended were ok and laughs were had, but none felt really comfortable. So imagine our delight when we hit upon a place where every song played was a fave, the people were friendly and the girls a sight to behold.... That's the story behind a little club down Wardour Street, London. 4. VIOLENT DESIRE Imagine wanting something so bad that you'll do absolutely anything to get it. A goal you'd been dreaming of your whole life. Imagine that chances were becoming slimmer and desperation was becoming overwhelming. That's the story behind this one. The lyrics were a little more metaphoric here, but very much a "stream of conciousness". Couldn't write them down fast enough. 5. LEAVE ME ALONE Some people aren't the type to draw attention to their problems. Preferring to keep them to themselves and find a solution their own way. Usually as a result of pride. Quite autobiographical. Quite a personal favourite. The first set of lyrics on this song were actually those of "Someday". A demo of this still exists, but sounded too dark for the story I wanted to tell. 6. RAT RACE Unlike the movies, the nice guys don't always win. Less brooding than it could have been, this song has more of a rock n roll/punk vibe. 7. A WORD WITH YOURSELF A phrase often used in the south east of England, it is the equivalent of N.Y's "Wake up and smell the coffee. "Catch yourself on" is often used in Scotland and Ireland. The song is basically offering your help to somebody that is making a mistake, possibly a major one. 8. DENIAL Very self explanatory. I wanted something dark and brooding for the song, but also something that moved throughout the choruses. The Egyptian sounding guitar harmony in the bridge was a very happy accident. Only two lead guitars, but still manages to sound big and wide 9. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL Sometimes, no matter how rough things have been, you come across somebody that reminds you of how fun life can be. A fun song and a cool change from the other more broody material. 10. NIGHT TIME This whole piece of music just visited me while standing on deck of a ship, watching the waves crash, on a night time crossing back from Ireland. I hoped I wouldn't forget it when I woke up and the beer had worn off.... Fortunately I didn't. 11. SOMEDAY A story of lost love and regret. 12. AIN'T MY GENERATION My view on the worrying trend of "manufactured" musical acts and TV contests. Fuelled not by the desires of musical expression, but purely that of fame with no identities of their own.
BORN OF FIRE 2003 1. F.F.E.F. A young, purposely naive view on what life and the future holds. I always considered it slightly out of place on Born Of Fire. However, as an album opener it just seemed to work. Besides....the girls in the crowds always seemed to sing it on the way home afterward... 2. DRAMA QUEEN Pushed beyond the limits of patience, understanding or caring. This snarling song was written on the couch that I woke up on many a morning. Quite self explanatory once again, but thought the theatre references might be a dry humoured attempt to stop the song heading into too grim a direction. 3. CRUISIN' 4 A HEARTBREAK We don't always fall for the right person. If our self esteem isn't what it should be at this point, a lack of self respect is quite similar to driving without brakes... 4. AIN'T IT THE TRUTH Awaking with positive realisations. Coming out of a bad patch with optimism, laughs and lessons learned. 5. AIN'T FALLIN' IN LOVE TONIGHT Based on the kind of girl who's one of life's "Natural Born Heartbreakers"! The slightly gothic tone of the song compliments the vampire metaphors. Originally, this song was a hypothetical situation, portraying myself as doing the nasty deeds. However, after being on the recieving end of shockingly similar treatment myself afterward, the "I"'s were replaced with "She"'s and another story was easily told. 6. SHE'S A BOMB A club we used to head to to break up the week, venue of many laughs and good times. Including this one girl.... 7. EVERYTIME Break-ups aren't always amicable. Sometimes there's a lot of hurt, resentment and things left unsaid. Even worse when "the book is never closed" so to speak. Probably one of the fastest songs in the catalogue. 8. COULD IT BE YOU A simple crush on a girl turns into something deeper. Quite optimistic in tone, what could have been "just another love song" turned into a big and melodic rock n roll tune. 9. THERE SHE GOES Written in 20 minutes on New Years Day 1999. In effect, a sequel to the song before it. An earlier version exists with drums and a bass guitar, but I preferred the stripped down approach of acoustics and a piano. 10. THE GREAT SONG OF DEFIANCE "To thine own self be true" as Shakespeare once said. I've often said in interviews that this song was my life inside of 4 minutes. Maybe not every aspect, but definately in keeping integrity and following my own path. Quite a live favourite with our supporters too. Probably Hallion's signature song at the time. - Gav Ruadh
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