The Living End got their first big break in 1995 when, after sending a t-shirt and a demo tape to Billie Joe Armstrong, they landed a support slot in Green Day's upcoming Australian tour. After the tour, the group went into the studio to record their debut EP Hellbound which received moderate support from community radio stations.
In November 1995, the band went back into the studio to record their second EP (It's for Your Own Good which they released several months later. This recording yielded their first major radio airplay with the song From Here On In, which was placed on high rotation on the youth radio network Triple J. Shortly after the release of the second EP, drummer Joe Piripitzi left the band and was replaced with Travis Dempsey who was soon playing with the band at major festivals such as Pushover and the Falls Festival. After a year touring Australia, The Living End again headed into the studio to record something new to sell at their now very popular shows. The result was the Second Solution / Prisoner of Society double single.
Prisoner of Society quickly became a national hit and the band signed on to Modular Recordings for the release of their debut self titled album, The Living End. The album was an instant hit with Australian audiences and resulted in six Australian singles (counting the "Second Solution" release as two because both songs received major airplay). The Living End became the second-highest-selling debut rock album in Australian music history, now five times platinum.
The Roll On album in 2000 was a more creative work, but did not manage to achieve the status of their earlier album. Cheney later stated that he was trying to prove to critics that The Living End were not a band simply defined by their hit Prisoner of Society, and the album showed this by displaying other influences, as well as their traditional fast-paced rockabilly music. The album even garnered comparison, by a few critics, to seminal punk band The Clash's creative breakthrough, London Calling.
The band hit a quiet period after that during which Chris Cheney had a tragic car accident on the Great Ocean Road, rendering him unable to play for a significant period of time. He had been on the road to the house of a member of fellow Australian band Bodyjar.
In 2003, after Chris's recovery and with new drummer Andy Strachan, the band made a comeback, releasing One Said to the Other, Who's Gonna Save Us? and getting air play once again. This was followed by heavy touring (including Big Day Out) and a release of Modern ARTillery.
In late 2004, the band has released a singles collection From Here on In: The Singles 1997-2004 as well as a DVD, which included all video clips and a "supergig", collections of the band's most famous songs performed in Australia, Japan and the USA. The DVD also features the band's history- documented in interviews and home footage.
Recently, Chris performed at the 2004 ARIA awards as part of the supergroup The Wrights, featuring members of many other Australian rock bands.
Chris Cheney and Scott Owen have won the Best Guitarist and Best Bassist awards for 2004 and 2005, in the Jack Awards.
The band performs regularly in Melbourne, one performance recently was for the Channel V Music Bus at Federation Square Melbourne, Australia (15th of December 2005) which saw a capacity crowd of between 4,500 and 5,000 people attend. The event saw many under 18's get the chance to see their idols for free, and for a lucky few, the chance to sing with Chris Cheney, unplanned of course.
The Living End's fourth album, titled State of Emergency, was released on February 4 2006 and was recorded in Byron Bay after they played in the Splendour in the Grass festival. They had finished the recording and the artwork for State of Emergency in mid December 2005. The single "What's on Your Radio was released on November 20, 2005, and debuted at #9 on the ARIA singles chart. The second single, "Wake Up" was released on February 19 and debuted at #5 on the ARIA singles chart. The group is currently signed to Adeline Records, owned and run by Billie Joe and Adrianne Armstrong.
In 2008 The Living End released their fifth studio album titled as White Noise, showing more hard rock influenced sound of The Living End. First single from the album was a double A-side single White Noise/How Do We Know which was released physically and digitally 5 July 2008. The second single Moment in the Sun was released 25 October 2008. The third single, Raise the Alarm, was released 22 December 2008. In 2009 The Living End started the Raise the Alarm Tour.
Prisoner of Society
The Living End Lyrics
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Oh yes we're on our own and there's nothing you can do
So we don't need no one like you, to tell us what to do
We don't refer to the past when showing what we've done
Our generation gap means the war is never won
The past is in your head, the futures in our hands
'Cause I'm a brat
And I know everything
And I talk back
'Cause I'm not listening
To anything you say
And if you count to 3
You'll see it's no emergency
You'll see I'm not the enemy
Just a Prisoner of Society
The Living End's "Prisoner of Society" speaks to the disillusionment and frustration of youth in the face of societal expectations and norms. The starting lyrics "we don't need no one to tell us what to do" express the rebellious streak that seems to define the lead singer's identity. The lyrics reject the older generation's traditions and culture, and deride any attempts to shape them to fit those molds, chanting "we don't refer to the past when showing what we've done." The lyrics suggest that the younger generation has the power to shape their future, that they will not be held back by the failures of the past generations in winning wars or battling social problems.
The song is essentially a tribute to the spirit of nonconformity and resistance to social conditioning. The final three lines of the song make the point clear, as the singer declares that "I'm not the enemy, Just a Prisoner of Society." The lyrics express the sentiment that their behavior or attitude is not a threat to society, but a reflection of the stifling environment and rigid structures that often suppress individuality and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we don't need no one to tell us what to do
We are self-sufficient and do not require any guidance.
Oh yes we're on our own and there's nothing you can do
We are independent, and there is no way you can control us.
So we don't need no one like you, to tell us what to do
We do not need someone like you, who believes they know what is best for us.
We don't refer to the past when showing what we've done
We do not dwell on our past achievements.
Our generation gap means the war is never won
The difference in attitudes between generations means that we will always be in conflict.
The past is in your head, the futures in our hands
You are stuck in the past, and it is up to us to shape the future.
'Cause I'm a brat
I can be stubborn sometimes.
And I know everything
I am confident in my knowledge and abilities.
And I talk back
I am not afraid to question authority.
'Cause I'm not listening
I refuse to accept your perspective.
To anything you say
I do not find your opinion relevant or valuable.
And if you count to 3
Even if you try to impose a consequence on me,
You'll see it's no emergency
It is not urgent or important for me to comply with your wishes.
You'll see I'm not the enemy
I am not against you or trying to cause harm.
Just a Prisoner of Society
I feel trapped in a society which does not respect my individuality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS CHENEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind