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)
River Below
Billy Talent Lyrics
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My name is bastard son
I've been damned so many times I've lost count
Blue collar, working man
Devises master-plan
Bipolar with a mental side arm
I'm sick and I'm twisted
Don't make me, 'cause I'll do it
Red button and we'll all go
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
They'll think I'm insane, but you'll all know my name
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
I'll take all the blame, the front page, and the fame
Contraption made up of
Nuts and bolts creates the
New monster, burn your family tree down
Tick-tocking, time's up now
Split second, the world frowns
Lonely heart, never had nobody
I'm sick and I'm twisted
I'm broken, you can't fix it
Don't make me 'cause I'll do it
Red button and we'll all go
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
They'll think I'm insane, but you'll all know my name
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
I'll take all the blame, the front page, and the fame
I'll take all the blame, the front page, and the fame
Into the river below
Into the river below
Into the river below
Into the river below
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
They'll think I'm insane, but you'll all know my name
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
I'll take all the blame, the front page and the fame
Yeah, I'll take all the blame, the front page and the fame
But you'll all know my name
And they'll think I'm insane
But you'll all know my name
And they'll think I'm insane
The lyrics to Billy Talent's song "River Below" convey the story of a rejected and damned individual who has never had anyone and has bipolar disorder. This person is seemingly at the end of their rope and contemplating taking extreme action by pressing the red button to destroy everything and jump into the river below to escape the inferno. The individual is not concerned about being judged and ridiculed for their actions because they believe they will finally be recognized and remembered for their name, whether as a hero or villain.
The song is a powerful depiction of the struggles and desperation that people who feel rejected and forgotten can experience. It highlights how even the smallest act of recognition can go a long way to restore a sense of purpose and significance. The song also calls attention to mental health and the tendency of society to stigmatize those who suffer from mental illness, leading many to feel like outcasts.
Line by Line Meaning
Rejected since day one
From the very beginning, I have been unwanted and not accepted by society.
My name is bastard son
I am an illegitimate offspring with a name that reflects that.
I've been damned so many times I've lost count
I have been cursed and condemned too many times to even keep track.
Blue collar, working man
I am a working-class person who relies on labor to make a living.
Devises master-plan
I create elaborate schemes to achieve my goals.
Bipolar with a mental side arm
I have bipolar disorder and a weaponized mind that can be dangerous.
I'm sick and I'm twisted
I am mentally ill and disturbed.
I'm broken, you can't fix it
I am damaged beyond repair and cannot be helped.
Don't make me, 'cause I'll do it
Do not provoke me, because I am capable of committing harmful acts.
Red button and we'll all go
Pushing a metaphorical red button could lead to everyone being destroyed.
Into the river below, I'm running from the inferno
I am fleeing from a situation that will lead to destruction and chaos.
They'll think I'm insane, but you'll all know my name
Others will believe I am crazy, but I will become well-known.
I'll take all the blame, the front page, and the fame
I will accept responsibility for the negative consequences and receive attention for it.
Contraption made up of
A device created from various materials.
Nuts and bolts creates the
Using nuts and bolts puts together the
New monster, burn your family tree down
A new entity has been created that will destroy your lineage and history.
Tick-tocking, time's up now
Time is running out, and a deadline is imminent.
Split second, the world frowns
In only a moment, everything seems to go wrong.
Lonely heart, never had nobody
I have always been alone and have never had anyone by my side.
Yeah, I'll take all the blame, the front page and the fame
I will bear the responsibility for the negative consequences and receive attention for it.
But you'll all know my name
Despite being blamed, I will become well-known.
And they'll think I'm insane
Others will believe I am crazy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Solowoniuk, Ben Kowalewicz, Ian D'sa, Jon Gallant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind