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)
Prisoners Of Today
Billy Talent Lyrics
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But then she came and bit me
I never bite off more than I could chew
But then she bit my leg
She said don't want to work I want to play and live my life like it was Sunday
The only problem is that Sunday only comes now once a week and I'm a freak but
We're breaking up the city
So tell me why should I stay
A prisoner of today
My body's tight my soul's excited and I wish that I was gifted
My body's tight my souls excited and I wish I had some spunk
I want to run I want to hide and leave this place Just like it left me
The only problem is I need to find the balls to follow through and that's the truth but
We're breaking up the city
No time for wasting away
So tell me why should I stay a prisoner of today
No time for one another no time for one another no time for one another no time for one another
But this is our time this is our time this is our time and our place
History I history I history I can't erase
This is our time this is our time this is our time and our place
Were breaking up the city
No time for wasting away
So tell me why should I stay a prisoner.
The song "Prisoners of Today" by Billy Talent portrays the struggle between two opposing forces- the desire to chase after one's dreams and the daunting reality of the responsibilities that come along with it. The singer is initially hesitant to take on too much or bite off more than he can chew, but then he meets a woman who entices him into a life of play and leisure. Despite wanting to follow his heart and escape from the monotony of everyday life, he acknowledges the difficulty of doing so and the need to find the courage to take that leap. The lyrics symbolize the confined and trapped feeling that society imposes on individuals, and the song urges its listeners to break free from the chains of societal expectations and live life to the fullest.
The song showcases Billy Talent's signature punk-rock sound, with high-energy guitar riffs and raw vocals that perfectly fit the rebellious theme. The lyrics are relatable to young listeners, who may feel stuck in their mundane lives, dreaming of adventure and freedom. Overall, "Prisoners of Today" serves as a reminder that we should not be afraid to take risks and pursue our passions, as life is too short to simply exist and not truly live.
Line by Line Meaning
I never bite off more than I could chew
I am cautious and avoid taking on more than I can handle.
But then she came and bit me
Despite my caution, I became involved with someone who was impulsive and reckless.
She said don't want to work I want to play and live my life like it was Sunday
My partner prioritizes leisure and fun over responsibility and work, living every day as if it were Sunday.
The only problem is that Sunday only comes now once a week and I'm a freak but
However, Sunday is only one day a week and I am an oddity who disagrees with her lifestyle.
We're breaking up the city
We are causing chaos and disruption in the city.
No time for wasting away
We don't have time to waste on idleness or unproductive activities.
So tell me why should I stay
I am questioning why I should continue to be a part of this destructive behavior.
A prisoner of today
I feel trapped by our current situation and the choices we have made.
My body's tight my soul's excited and I wish that I was gifted
I am feeling energetic and enthusiastic, wishing I had some special talent or ability.
I want to run I want to hide and leave this place Just like it left me
I desire to escape and leave this place behind, feeling as though it has abandoned me.
The only problem is I need to find the balls to follow through and that's the truth but
However, the only obstacle is finding the courage to actually follow through on my desire to leave.
No time for one another no time for one another no time for one another no time for one another
We have no time for each other, neglecting our relationship and connections.
But this is our time this is our time this is our time and our place
Despite the chaos and neglect, we believe this is our moment and location.
History I history I history I can't erase
We have a past that cannot be erased, shaping who we are and what we do.
Were breaking up the city
We are continuing to create havoc and disorder in the city.
No time for wasting away
We cannot afford to waste any more time idling or not taking action.
So tell me why should I stay a prisoner.
I am again questioning why I should remain trapped in our current situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON SOLOWONIUK, BEN KOWALEWICZ, IAN D'SA, JON GALLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind