In early 2006, original frontman Darren Miller amiably retired from the band, and was replaced soon after by Jerwa.
False Alarm
Backandtotheleft Lyrics
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How much more to pay?
Shoot me a glance worth a thousand words
But I've nothing left to say
You can never wipe away the shame
Of atrocities caused in my name
Walk away all mad, but come back for more
Then walk away again
I'm sorry if I'm putting on a show
But if it's wrong why does it feel so right?
I beg of you don't leave me in the cold
But when open arms are false alarms
I'll know it's over
You serve in the court of the public thought
And put me on trial
Turn the words I spoke in good faith against me
My crimes are now on file
In this secret world of faith and trust
There isn't room for revengeful lust
And as soon as I let down my guard
It's decency you'll disregard
And now I stand here all alone
And it is all too clear
How you wore me down like sand from stone
Yet you never shed a tear
What a sorry state of times
To be guilty of the wrong crimes
The lyrics of "False Alarm" are a reflection on the consequences of past actions and the difficulty of redemption. The singer acknowledges their past wrongdoings and has already apologized for them, but they question the extent of how much more they need to pay for their mistakes. They feel like there is nothing left to say and that the atrocities caused in their name have left a stain that cannot be erased. The listener can never wipe away the shame, and the cycle of being forgiven and then falling back into the same old game continues. The singer expresses their sorrow for putting on a show but wonders why it feels so right when it's wrong. They beg the listener not to leave them in the cold, but they understand that open arms can be false alarms, indicating that it's all over.
The second verse touches on the idea of the public opinion turning against the singer. They served in the court of the public thought, but instead of being forgiven, they are put on trial. The words they spoke in good faith are turned against them, and the crimes they confess are now on file. The singer acknowledges that in this secret world of faith and trust, there isn't room for revengeful lust, and as soon as they let down their guard, it's decency that will be disregarded. The last lines of the song highlight the singer's realization of standing alone, realizing that the other party wore them down like sand from stone, yet never shed a tear. It's a sorry state of times to be guilty of the wrong crimes.
Line by Line Meaning
Apologies, I've given them all
I've already said sorry for everything
How much more to pay?
What else can I do to make it right?
Shoot me a glance worth a thousand words
Your look tells me everything, without speaking a word
But I've nothing left to say
I've already said everything that needs to be said
You can never wipe away the shame
The guilt and humiliation will always be present, no matter what
Of atrocities caused in my name
The terrible things I did are associated with my reputation
Walk away all mad, but come back for more
You leave angry, but then come back for more drama
Then walk away again
You repeat the same pattern of leaving
It's the same old game
This cycle of behavior is nothing new to us
I'm sorry if I'm putting on a show
I apologize if I'm acting insincerely
But if it's wrong why does it feel so right?
Even though it's bad for me, it still feels good
I beg of you don't leave me in the cold
Please don't abandon me when I need you
But when open arms are false alarms
Your welcoming demeanor is not sincere
I'll know it's over
I realize that our relationship has ended
You serve in the court of the public thought
You judge me in the court of public opinion
And put me on trial
You accuse me and hold me accountable for my actions
Turn the words I spoke in good faith against me
You use my honest words against me, even though I meant well
My crimes are now on file
My wrongdoings are now documented and remembered by others
In this secret world of faith and trust
Despite our trust in each other, there are still secrets hidden between us
There isn't room for revengeful lust
We shouldn't seek revenge on each other, even if we want to
And as soon as I let down my guard
Once I become vulnerable, you use it against me
It's decency you'll disregard
You don't respect my vulnerability or dignity
And now I stand here all alone
I'm alone and without support
And it is all too clear
The situation is obvious and can't be disputed
How you wore me down like sand from stone
You have worn me out and exhausted me, like sand eroding a rock
Yet you never shed a tear
You don't show any remorse or emotion about what happened
What a sorry state of times
This is a sad and depressing situation
To be guilty of the wrong crimes
To be caught and punished for the wrong things I did
Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shiber Kivan
Great track, thx for posting this : ) Added to favorites
Viper22
I love this group. Maybe we should all write them to beg them to get back together n tour. Thanks for da upload from Chicago.
Swinenroses
@TrueKivan No problem, and thank your for adding it to your favorites :)
Swinenroses
@Frossiart Didn't realize how many views this video had. Thanks for pointing it out.
Frossiart
oh damn, I'm the 421-st viewer of the video....