10 Years is an alternative rock/alternative metal band which formed in Knox… Read Full Bio ↴10 Years is an alternative rock/alternative metal band which formed in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States in 1999. The band consists of Jesse Hasek (vocals), Ryan Johnson (guitar), Lewis Cosby (bass) and Brian Vodinh (drums, guitar). The band is currently augmented live by Matt Brown (drums).

The band has released eight albums in their career: "Into the Half Moon" (2001), "Killing All that Holds You" (2004), "The Autumn Effect" (2005), "Division" (2008), "Feeding the Wolves" (2010), "Minus the Machine" (2012), "From Birth to Burial" (2015) and "(how to live) As Ghosts" (2017). Their biggest hit is their 2005 single "Wasteland", which reached #1 on Billboard Alternative Songs, #2 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and #94 on the Billboard Hot 100. Recently in 2017, the band returned to the Mainstream Rock Chart's Top 5 with their single "Novacaine."

Empire
10 Years Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sky cities scrape
The lining of heaven
Beneath this vast region
Manifest destination
Leaves us fast erasing

Days pass
Time flies

You don't realize
Today you waste

This dying youth
Of beauty and pleasure
Evaporates
Lives are connected
To lasting obsessions
That become possessions of waste
While buying the next
New fashion that's fed
To enslave this land of the free

Days pass
Time flies
You don't realize
Today you waste

Days pass
Time flies
You don't realize
Today you waste

Don't be so surprised [Repeats]

Days pass
Time flies

You don't realize
Today you waste

Overall Meaning

"Empire" by 10 Years is a thought-provoking song that highlights the fleeting nature of life and the obsession with materialism that is prevalent in modern society. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where sky cities dominate the landscape and people are constantly chasing the next new thing - whether it's the latest fashion trend or technological advancement. The song urges the listener to take a step back and reflect on the time they are wasting pursuing these fleeting desires, as they slowly lose touch with what truly matters in life.

The opening lines of "Sky cities scrape the lining of heaven" metaphorically express the height to which human aspirations have grown. It's as if the buildings have reached for the sky and left no space in-between. However, as the song progresses, the idea of the sky scraping cities gradually fades away, leaving room for the more prevalent idea that these excessive pursuits are leading to a society in shambles. Additionally, the chorus serves as a reminder to make the most of each day instead of being consumed by the materialistic pursuits of life.

Ultimately, "Empire" seeks to criticize a society that is focused on personal comfort and convenience that is to the detriment of cherishing life's experiences. The song’s provocative message is one of rebellion against the emptiness of a world of consumerism and a call to awaken to the present moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Sky cities scrape
Tall buildings and skyscrapers dominate the landscape

The lining of heaven
The buildings reach so high that they seem to scrape against the sky itself

Beneath this vast region
Underneath this sprawling metropolis

Manifest destination
The end goal of progress and development

Leaves us fast erasing
Results in the erasure and forgetfulness of what was once there

Days pass
Time continues to move forward

Time flies
Time seems to move quickly

You don't realize
You are unaware or oblivious

Today you waste
You are letting the day slip away without any meaningful use

This dying youth
The fleeting nature of youth and vitality

Of beauty and pleasure
The temporary pleasures and distractions of life