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)
Forgiveness I + II
Billy Talent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a direction
Possessed by perfection
In this land, if you're awake
You're the enemy
I run away
In search of redemption
Like an elevator, rising to the sun
I scream at the stars
But nobody's listening
Searching for the end
But the journey's the reason for existence
It's tearing at my heart
The secret's in the distance
Hard to find the truth in the dark
When you're begging for forgiveness
Scorched by the rays
My quest is relentless
My spirit is desperate
To find comfort in the arms of her remedy
Chasing a face
That has no reflection
The lights of salvation
Disappear into the shadows of the sand
I scream at the stars
But nobody's listening
Searching for the ends
But the journey's the reason for existence
It's tearing at my heart
The secret's in the distance
Hard to find the truth in the dark
When you're begging for forgiveness
You're begging for forgiveness
Yeah
Hey
Chase my shadow to the sun
Chase my shadow to the sun
I scream at the stars
But nobody's listening
Searching for the end
But the journey's the reason for existence
It's tearing at my heart
The secret's in the distance
Hard to find the truth in the dark
When you're begging for forgiveness
I'm begging for forgiveness
Somewhere else, the earth turns 'round
Softly in the sky, so sound
Wallowing away
Wallowing away
Comfort in the grace I've found
Circling a distant star
Constellation drifts apart
Falling into phase
Falling into phase
Far beyond the shapeless heart
Somewhere else, the earth turns round
Softly in the sky, so sound
Wallowing away
Wallowing away
Comfort in the grace I've found
The lyrics of Billy Talent's song "Forgiveness I + II" explore themes of feeling lost, searching for redemption, and the struggle to find truth and forgiveness. The song's opening lines depict a sense of aimlessness and a constant pursuit of perfection, which only serves to further isolate the singer in a society that values conformity. The line "In this land, if you're awake, you're the enemy" suggests that being aware and questioning the status quo can lead to being seen as a threat.
The singer then expresses their desire to escape and find redemption, comparing their journey to an elevator rising towards the sun. They feel unheard, screaming out their frustrations and seeking an end to their inner turmoil, but ultimately realizing that the journey itself is what gives purpose to existence. The singer's heart is torn as they try to navigate the darkness of their inner struggles and search for forgiveness.
The second part of the song delves deeper into the singer's desperation and their pursuit of comfort and salvation. They mention their relentless quest and the absence of reflection in the face they chase, which implies a futile search for something intangible. The lights of salvation disappear, leaving them lost in the shadows of uncertainty.
The overall message of the song seems to be that finding forgiveness and truth can be a challenging and lonely journey. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, perseverance, and embracing the process rather than fixating solely on the end result.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in the wind
Feeling directionless and uncertain
Without a direction
Lacking a clear path or purpose
Possessed by perfection
Obsessed with achieving flawlessness
In this land, if you're awake
In this world, if you're aware
You're the enemy
You're seen as a threat or adversary
I run away
I try to escape or flee
In search of redemption
Seeking forgiveness or salvation
A path to ascension
A route towards personal growth or enlightenment
Like an elevator, rising to the sun
Ascending like an elevator towards enlightenment or fulfillment
I scream at the stars
Expressing frustration or desperation
But nobody's listening
But no one pays attention or understand
Searching for the end
Looking for a resolution or conclusion
But the journey's the reason for existence
But the process of life is what gives it meaning
It's tearing at my heart
It's causing emotional pain or distress
The secret's in the distance
The answer or truth is far away or unclear
Hard to find the truth in the dark
Difficult to discover the truth in difficult or obscure circumstances
When you're begging for forgiveness
When you're pleading for absolution or pardon
Scorched by the rays
Burned or affected by the intensity
My quest is relentless
My pursuit is unwavering or persistent
My spirit is desperate
My inner self is filled with urgency or despair
To find comfort in the arms of her remedy
To seek solace or relief from something or someone
Chasing a face
Pursuing an elusive presence or image
That has no reflection
That lacks a true representation or substance
The lights of salvation
The guiding beacons of deliverance or rescue
Disappear into the shadows of the sand
Fade away into obscurity or insignificance
Chase my shadow to the sun
Pursue an illusory or unattainable goal
Somewhere else, the earth turns 'round
In another place, life goes on
Softly in the sky, so sound
Quietly and peacefully in the heavens
Wallowing away
Sinking into despair or self-pity
Comfort in the grace I've found
Finding solace in the peace or elegance that has been discovered
Circling a distant star
Orbiting around a faraway celestial body
Constellation drifts apart
The arrangement of stars breaks away or scatters
Falling into phase
Entering a new state or stage
Far beyond the shapeless heart
Much farther than the formless or undefined core
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ben Kowalewicz, Ian D'Sa, Jonny Gallant, Jordan Hastings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@__saintnasty
I don't understand how, from all the new songs, this one has the least views. It's pure fucking gold all over.
@TheTimothydragon
People have short attention spans
@Ogilla
Because it's their most ambitious and complex. Funny because to me it's specifically why it's their best.
@__saintnasty
@@Ogilla 100% agree
@FrenchFryCreations
Because if you play the full album that shows up on YouTube when you search for billy talent, this song isn't actually on any of them. I had to manually search up this exact song. Aand also 6 out of 9 forgiveness series songs are not available in my country. I have no idea why and how but this sucks
@Coldrior
@@FrenchFryCreations Spain? I have the same problem, at least on soundcloud :/
@tayfa.7822
I just can't understand how this band can be this underrated. Another joke of this fucking world!
@cordellehauz2087
Can honestly say after 14 years of listening to you boys, you have never released a shitty song or album! Love how every album progresses into new styles but still captures the "Billy Talent" sound. Ben, Ian, Jon, Aaron and Jordan, yall are some of the best/diverse & ever growing musicians I've ever listened to, keep it up! Yall make me very proud to be Canadian, long live Billy Talent!
@captainpain_qc7982
I agree with your statement 100%, brother! from Québec City!!!
@nathanmaria6366
@@captainpain_qc7982 im not from canada but I agree ! Hello from France !
Btw nice cover bro 😎