A Rotterdam November is:

- David McCormick (lead singer)
- Alan… Read Full Bio ↴A Rotterdam November is:

- David McCormick (lead singer)
- Alan Schwaderer (keys, guitar, backup vocals)
- Jared Nelson (guitar, backup vocals)
- Andy Baker (bass)
- David Niacaris (drums)
- Dylan Anitok (guitar, backup vocals)

The band formed in late 2006, Boise, Idaho.

Their name alludes to what happened in the aftermath of the bombing of the city of Rotterdam during WWII. After the heart of the venerable city had been completely destroyed, architects reconstructed it from scratch. The band's name reflects the interpretation of this idea of "an old city with a new heart" as a Christian metaphor for the renewing transformation of a heart damaged by sin.

Casualties
A Rotterdam November Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chorus:

I swear I cannot pick you up. I'm
strong but not strong enough, for the
both of us. For the both of us.

Verse:
The camel's back is broken in two. And every piece of straw was brought here by you.

I'll never fit in your box. I found me, maybe you should find you.
Because security doesn't come in a pill. The more you try to control, the less you ever will.
Happiness doesn't have a person's name. And when he visits, he can never ever stay.

Pre-chorus:
Hold these wrists, do you feel pillars or a little more than twigs?

Chorus:

Verse2:
I'm here to say it's over. The girl I love, I don't even know her.
No one cares about paper (money) and stones (diamonds). Oh yeah, that's something you could never get over. It's okay, to admit that you're not okay. To tear down the walls and face the truth. Please, for me, could you just this once let go? Oh,I forgot, it's always about you.

Pre-chorus:
Feel my heart, does it pound like a train, speed and steel?

Chorus + rock out section

Last chorus:
I swear it's not too late, but baby, some thing's gotta change for the both of us, for the both of us

Overall Meaning

The song "Casualties" by A Rotterdam November captures the emotional journey of a person who has had enough of the toxicity in a relationship. The song starts with the chorus, which speaks of not having the strength to carry both their emotional baggage. The singer acknowledges their strength but realizes that it's not enough for both of them. The relationship has taken a toll on them, and they cannot keep going like this anymore.

The first verse describes how every small thing has contributed to the breaking point of the relationship, and every straw that broke the camel's back has been brought by the other person. The singer is tired of trying to fit in with the other person's expectations and understands that it's time for the other person to find themselves and not depend on security pills. They acknowledge that happiness is not something that can be held onto, and it doesn't come in a person's name. It's clear that the singer has reached the end of the rope and is standing up for themselves.

The pre-chorus in both verses poses rhetorical questions to the other person. The singer is asking them to feel their arms and heart, which represent their resolve and strength. The singer is making it clear that they will no longer be a casualty in this relationship.

Overall, the song speaks to anyone who is in a similar situation, where they feel emotionally drained and incapable of carrying both themselves and the weight of the relationship. It's a song about finding the strength to stand up for yourself and acknowledge when a relationship has become toxic.

Line by Line Meaning

The camel's back is broken in two. And every piece of straw was brought here by you.
You have caused so much damage to our relationship that it has reached its breaking point.

I'll never fit in your box. I found me, maybe you should find you.
I cannot conform to your expectations and I have found my own identity. You should do the same.

Because security doesn't come in a pill. The more you try to control, the less you ever will.
You cannot find security in material possessions or by controlling others. It will only lead to less security in the long run.

Happiness doesn't have a person's name. And when he visits, he can never ever stay.
Happiness is not dependent on a specific person and it is fleeting. It cannot be held onto forever.

Hold these wrists, do you feel pillars or a little more than twigs?
Do you feel like you are holding onto something strong and sturdy or something fragile and weak?

I swear I cannot pick you up. I'm strong but not strong enough, for the both of us. For the both of us.
I cannot continue to carry the weight of our relationship on my own. We need to work together to make it work.

I'm here to say it's over. The girl I love, I don't even know her.
Our relationship has become so broken that I don't even recognize who you are anymore.

No one cares about paper (money) and stones (diamonds). Oh yeah, that's something you could never get over.
Material possessions are not important in the grand scheme of things, but you are too focused on them to see that.

It's okay, to admit that you're not okay. To tear down the walls and face the truth. Please, for me, could you just this once let go? Oh,I forgot, it's always about you.
It is important to acknowledge when you are struggling and to work through those issues. I am asking you to let go of your selfish tendencies for once and work with me to make this work.

Feel my heart, does it pound like a train, speed and steel?
Can you feel the intensity of my emotions and my desire to make this work?

I swear it's not too late, but baby, some thing's gotta change for the both of us, for the both of us
It is not too late to salvage our relationship, but we need to make changes and work together to make it happen.

Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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