At Vance were founded by Lenk, the man already known through his solo album… Read Full Bio ↴At Vance were founded by Lenk, the man already known through his solo albums, as guitarist in the legendary Zed Yago and Progressive project Centers. Their first album, "No Escape" was released in 1998, and followed by "Heart of Steel" two years later. A year after this, in 2001, came the band's third album "Dragonchaser".

After signing with AFM Records in 2002, the band then released "Only Human" before touring Europe with Rhapsody and Angel Dust.

Singer Oliver Hartmann then left the band and a replacement was found in former Yngwie Malmsteen singer Mats Leven.

Lenk spent the next few months writing 2003's album “The Evil In You”. A tour with Kamelot followed. After that, "Chained" was released in 2005 and secured chart entries in Scandinavia. The band then toured with Brainstorm and Mercenary. Mats Leven is no longer a member of At Vance and was replaced by Rick Altzi for their newest album, VII.

Discography :

No Escape (1998)
Heart Of Steel (2000)
Dragonchaser (2001)
Only Human (2002)
The Evil In You (2003)
Chained (2005)
VII (2007)
Ride The Sky (2009)

Chained
At Vance Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't try to change me
Don't try to stop the roll of the dice
The fate of mine
Choices I'm making, the plays I act
I don't expect you to understand

Now, I can tell you must be hurting
Don't think I don't, keep hangin' on

Hide in my shadow, but you should know
You got me...

Chained
Release me from this slavery
Chained
You'll never get the best of me
Chained
Our days are numbered can't you see
Chained
That is nothing, but a game to me

It's in your heartbeat
Every word you speak
You fear the moment you'll watch me leave
No matter how much you are burning
You're still too cold
Well, my love can't be trusted
You ought to know

I feel the pain in your denials
Don't think I don't, telling yourself it
Isn't over, but we both know
You got me...

Chained
Release me from this slavery
Chained
You'll never get the best of me
Chained
Our days are numbered can't you see
Chained

Release me from this slavery...
It's nothing but a game to me, you got me

Chained
Release me from this slavery
Chained
You'll never get the best of me
Chained
Our days are numbered can't you see

Chained
That is nothing, but a game to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of At Vance's song, "Chained," are about someone trapped in a relationship where they feel held back and unable to truly be themselves. They urge their partner not to try to change them and to let them live their life according to their own choices. The partner, on the other hand, is depicted as trying to hold onto the singer and keep them "chained" to the relationship, despite the singer's desire for freedom. The singer understands their partner's feelings but ultimately choses to break free and play life as they please.

The opening lines, "Don't try to change me, don't try to stop the roll of the dice," set the tone for the entire song. They establish the singer's desire for independence and their unwillingness to be held back by anyone, even their romantic partner. The line "I don't expect you to understand" indicates that the singer knows that their partner won't be able to fully comprehend their desire for freedom and autonomy.

The chorus, "Chained, release me from this slavery," echoes this sentiment even more strongly. It paints the relationship as a form of bondage, where the singer is trapped and controlled. However, they are determined not to let their partner win and to break free from their grasp. The lines "you'll never get the best of me" show that the singer is confident that they can overcome their partner's attempts to keep them chained.

Overall, the song conveys a sense of empowerment and determination. It shows the singer as someone who is unwilling to be held back by anyone, no matter how much they care for them. It also depicts the partner as someone who is trying to hold onto something that they know deep down they can't control. In the end, the singer emerges victorious, having freed themselves from the chains of the relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't try to change me
I am who I am and I won't let anyone alter that

Don't try to stop the roll of the dice
I will take chances and I won't let anyone prevent me from doing that

The fate of mine
My destiny is predetermined and out of my control

Choices I'm making, the plays I act
I am the one in control of my actions and decisions

I don't expect you to understand
I know you can't comprehend my motives and choices

It's in your heartbeat
Your emotions are evident by the way your heart beats

Every word you speak
Your words expose your true feelings

You fear the moment you'll watch me leave
You dread the thought of me walking away from you

No matter how much you are burning
Even though you love me intensely, it doesn't change my decision

You're still too cold
You are not strong enough to let me go and move on with your life

Well, my love can't be trusted
You cannot rely on my feelings for you anymore

I feel the pain in your denials
I can sense your agony in rejecting the reality of our situation

Isn't over, but we both know
Our relationship has come to an end, even though you won't admit it

Chained Release me from this slavery Chained You'll never get the best of me Chained Our days are numbered can't you see Chained That is nothing, but a game to me
I'm trapped in this situation where I'm being held captive by a relationship that is now just a game to me, and you won't be able to control or manipulate me anymore

Release me from this slavery... It's nothing but a game to me, you got me
I want to be free from the bondage of this relationship that now means nothing but a game to me, and I know you have power over me to make me stay

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATS LEVEN, OLAF LENK, PETRA LENK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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