The band existed for almost a decade before mainstream success. The members met and played in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School under the name Pezz and remained underground in Toronto's indie music scene until 2001. The band renamed itself Billy Talent after running into legal trouble with the old name. It was then that Kowalewicz's connection with an employee of Warner Music Canada's A&R department landed the band a record deal and launched them into mainstream success. Since then, Billy Talent has made three multi-platinum records in Canada and continues to expand their success overseas; this included touring for 20 months supporting their second album. They released their third album, Billy Talent III, in 2009, and their fourth album, Dead Silence, in 2012. Dead Silence was followed up by a full UK tour throughout October and November 2012. To commemorate the longevity since the release of their first studio album, the band has released a greatest hits album entitled Hits in 2014. In 2015, they began to prepare material for their fifth studio album. Just before entering the studio, drummer Aaron Solowoniuk decided to sit out the recording sessions while he continued his longstanding battle with multiple sclerosis. Fellow Canadian Jordan Hastings was quickly recruited to play as Solowoniuk's studio stand-in, and, in early 2016, the group completed work on Afraid of Heights, which was released in July of that year. The band's most recent album is Crisis of Faith, released in January 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Talent
Studio albums
Billy Talent (2003)
Billy Talent II (2006)
Billy Talent III (2009)
Dead Silence (2012)
Afraid of Heights (2016)
Crisis of Faith (2022)
08. Man Alive!
Billy Talent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
At first they'll take your liberties
Then tie them 'round your hand
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
Their words are your command
Well the bloodsucker society, is looking for recruits
I took a sip of their sobriety, it doesn't taste that good
Well at first you're fine with working overtime
10 years go by til you're caught up in the grind
And can't escape the fact your youth is fading fast
These times won't last and once they're gone they don't come back
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
At first they'll take your liberties
Then tie them 'round your hand
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
When time goes by some day you'll find
Their words are your command
They try to fill you with anxiety, until you bite the hook
They drop a line of notoriety, they got a big cheque book
Oh they'll turn you blind for a nickel and a dime
Don't waste your time with their simple frame of mind
You can't escape the fact your youth is fading fast
These times won't last and once they're gone they don't come back
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
At first they'll take your liberties
Then tie them 'round your hand
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
When time goes by some day you'll find
Their words are your command
Attention all personnel!
Stand single file, resistance is futile!
We're gonna raise your hopes up
Just to knock them down
You got a bright bright future
If you can shut your mouth
And if you work the front lines
To keep us safe and sound
You won't be compensated
Until you're in the ground
So don't waste a single breath
On what society expects
If history don't lie
They're gonna take you for a ride until you die!
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
At first they'll take your liberties
Then tie them 'round your hand
Man alive!
Don't stand aside!
While people make demands
When time goes by some day you'll find
Their words are your command
The song "Man Alive!" by Billy Talent is a reflection on the societal pressures that people are faced with every day. The lyrics encourage us to take a stand and not be passive observers as people take away our liberties and make demands of us. The first verse suggests that if we stand by and let people make demands of us, they will eventually take away our freedoms and we will be left with no choice but to do as they say. The second verse talks about the pressures of working overtime and being caught up in the grind of life. We are reminded that youth is fleeting, and once it's gone, it's gone forever. The chorus repeats the message that we shouldn't stand aside and let people make demands of us, or we will end up being under their control.
The third verse talks about the way that society tries to fill us with anxiety and make us feel like we're missing out if we don't conform to its expectations. The lyrics suggest that we shouldn't waste our time with the narrow-mindedness of society, and that we should stay true to ourselves. The final verse is a warning that resistance is futile, and that we should expect to be taken for a ride until we die. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, reminding us once again not to stand aside and let people make demands of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Man alive!
Wake up and pay attention!
Don't stand aside!
Don't be passive!
While people make demands
When others demand things, be careful!
At first they'll take your liberties
They'll initially take your freedom and rights.
Then tie them 'round your hand
Then they'll restrict you and limit your choices.
When time goes by some day you'll find
Eventually, you'll realize something troubling.
Their words are your command
You'll become a pawn, following others' instructions and losing your autonomy.
The bloodsucker society, is looking for recruits
Society often exploits people.
I took a sip of their sobriety, it doesn't taste that good
Trying to fit in with society's expectations can be unpleasant and unfulfilling.
Well at first you're fine with working overtime
Initially, you might not mind working extra hours.
10 years go by til you're caught up in the grind
Before you know it, you've been stuck in the same routine for a long time.
And can't escape the fact your youth is fading fast
You realize your life is slipping away.
These times won't last and once they're gone they don't come back
You can't turn back the clock or relive past moments.
They try to fill you with anxiety, until you bite the hook
Others try to manipulate you into feeling nervous and trapped.
They drop a line of notoriety, they got a big cheque book
They use their wealth and power to persuade and control you.
Oh they'll turn you blind for a nickel and a dime
They'll deceive you for even a small amount of money.
Don't waste your time with their simple frame of mind
Don't follow those who lack critical thinking or imagination.
Attention all personnel!
Listen up!
Stand single file, resistance is futile!
Conformity is enforced here.
We're gonna raise your hopes up
We'll give you hope and optimism.
Just to knock them down
Only to bring you down later.
You got a bright bright future
You have potential and opportunities.
If you can shut your mouth
But only if you stay silent and submissive.
And if you work the front lines
If you do the hard work.
To keep us safe and sound
To protect us from danger.
You won't be compensated
But don't expect to be rewarded.
Until you're in the ground
Only death will bring ultimate compensation.
So don't waste a single breath
Don't bother trying to argue or protest.
On what society expects
Don't give in to society's demands.
If history don't lie
If the past is any indication.
They're gonna take you for a ride until you die!
They'll use you and exploit you until the end.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON SOLOWONIUK, BEN KOWALEWICZ, IAN D'SA, JON GALLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peptocoptr
Damn, that was a great performence.
Arno
they sound like studio, never see this band in real :(
Andrei ZakZig
Кто им тексты пишет? Ведь всё в точку!
Leonid Kurchitskiy
Бэн и Иэн. Сами. )
Eladio Brr
nice audio.