The trio wrote and rehearsed the five visceral songs that would make up the EP in the humble environs of a scout hut in Plymouth. But the electrically-charged nervous energy that came out in Holley’s songwriting translated into a wealth of positive press coverage across the country, including from the likes of Kerrang!, Rock Sounds, Punktastic and BBC Radio 1’s very own Rock Show host Daniel P. Carter. Their debut album, I’m Not Well, is released by Spinefarm Records on 19th August 2016.
Black Foxxes have enjoyed a fairly rapid ascension in their three years together as a band. But despite a gaggle of major labels chomping at the bit to sign them after the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP Pines, the three young men kept their feet planted firmly on terra firma.
The smart money suggests the chances of Black Foxxes going down that route are pretty remote. They’ve already enthralled crowds across the country supporting the likes of Milk Teeth and The Dear Hunter, and converted masses of fans at festivals across the country, including Download, 2000Trees and Reading & Leeds. That they’ve done this with no pretence, flash or gimmicks is a sign of the positive direction rock music is beginning to take, after roughly a decade of style over substance posturing from a plethora of young bands afraid to write songs with any validity. As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder and crohn’s disease, the subjects Black Foxxes tackle directly affect Mark’s everyday life.
Badlands
Black Foxxes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am staggeringly intent on fucking all of this up
Will you use me? Use me! Please get your fix
You'll be gone in the morning. Please get your fix
I am confused, conflicted, why's this so hard?
I am contorted in my vision, why's this so hard?
There is comfort in silence. All talk is weight
I am a void, a prison, the source of my hate
I am blaming my condition on all of my mistakes
I am— holy hell, why's this so hard?
I am avoiding the solution 'cause I love sabotage
I am done
If you give me the chance, wait 'til I'm home
I'll be back in the highs if you forgive those lows
I am comfortably wasted, comfortably numb
I am so out of touch. I am all of the above
I am twisted, sister, cat got your tongue?
You are the only one I need 'cause you're all of the above
I am confused, conflicted, why's this so hard
I am avoiding the solution 'cause I love sabotage
I am done
Wait
All of this
All of this
All of this
Why's this so hard
Why's this so hard
Why's this so hard
Why's this
Visualise this and I'll visualise that
Cat got your tongue? It's self sabotage
Visualise this and I'll visualise that
Cat got your tongue? It's self sabotage
Come find me
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
All of this
(Wait)
(Wait)
(Wait)
(All of this)
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
All of this
I crave a sensation
This is not time to go outside
This is not the time to go outside
The wind here never changes
I am the sea
This repetitive child swims sideways
Gannets dive into a whirlpool of black
When the grass hits your toes
And the warmth hits your tongue
I am the sea
I crave a sensation
I crave a sensation
That god only gives
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
All of this
The lyrics of Black Foxxes' song Badlands speak to the internal conflict of the singer as they struggle with self-sabotage and addiction. The first verse is a plea for someone to use the singer, to "get your fix," but it is also an admission that they are intent on "fucking all of this up." The second verse continues the theme of confusion and conflict, with the singer acknowledging their own mistakes and blaming themselves for their current condition. They are avoiding the solution, however, because they "love sabotage."
The repetition of "contain me, contort me, I am the gun" intensifies the idea of being trapped and struggling with addiction. The bridge, "I crave a sensation / This is not time to go outside / The wind here never changes / I am the sea," adds to the feeling of being stuck and unable to escape one's own thoughts and behaviors. The song ends with a final repetition of "all of this," emphasizing the ongoing cycle of addiction and self-destructive behavior.
Overall, the lyrics of Badlands are a raw and honest portrayal of the struggle with addiction and self-sabotage. The repetition of certain phrases adds to the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape one's own thoughts and behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
I am confused and obsessive, why's this so hard?
I am feeling confused and obsessive, and I cannot understand why this situation is so difficult.
I am staggeringly intent on fucking all of this up
Will you use me? Use me! Please get your fix
You'll be gone in the morning. Please get your fix
I am determined to ruin this situation, and I am asking for someone to use me for their own needs, knowing they will leave me once they have what they want.
There is comfort in silence. All talk is weight
I'm conscious I have made too many fucking mistakes
Silence is a relief from my problems, and I realize that I have made too many mistakes.
I am a void, a prison, the source of my hate
I am blaming my condition on all of my mistakes
I am— holy hell, why's this so hard?
I feel like an empty, trapped, and hateful person, and am attributing my current state to my past mistakes. I am exasperated with how difficult my situation is.
I am avoiding the solution 'cause I love sabotage
I am done
I am intentionally avoiding the solution to my problems because I enjoy creating chaos. I have reached a point where I am finished dealing with this situation.
If you give me the chance, wait 'til I'm home
I'll be back in the highs if you forgive those lows
I am comfortably wasted, comfortably numb
I am so out of touch. I am all of the above
If given the chance, I will come back stronger after having gone through lows. I am currently in a state of being wasted and detached from reality, but still feeling all of the emotions that come with it.
I am twisted, sister, cat got your tongue?
You are the only one I need 'cause you're all of the above
I am confused, conflicted, why's this so hard
I am avoiding the solution 'cause I love sabotage
I am done
I am in a state of emotional turmoil and feel unsure of what to do, but you are the only person I need because you embody all of the things I am feeling. However, I am still avoiding the solution due to my love of causing chaos, and I have reached a breaking point.
Visualise this and I'll visualise that
Cat got your tongue? It's self sabotage
Come find me
Contain me, contort me, I am the gun
All of this
If we both try to imagine a better outcome, we can overcome the harmful thoughts and actions that are holding us back. If you can't speak, it's because you are self-sabotaging. Come find me so that I can be manipulated and controlled. I am a volatile weapon that needs to be contained and twisted. All of this is overwhelming.
I crave a sensation
This is not time to go outside
This is not the time to go outside
The wind here never changes
I am the sea
This repetitive child swims sideways
Gannets dive into a whirlpool of black
When the grass hits your toes
And the warmth hits your tongue
I am the sea
I crave a sensation
I crave a sensation
That god only gives
I am seeking a specific feeling or experience, but now is not the time to engage in it. The wind remains constant as I embody the vast, unchanging sea. There are patterns and routines in life that never change regardless of how much we fight against them. When we are in nature, we realize our smallness in the grand scheme of things. Despite knowing that we should avoid it, we still crave this sensation that only comes from a higher power.
Writer(s): Mark Holley, Jack Henley, Finnan Mcclean
Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LittleBeeBee
"I crave a sensation
This is not time to go outside
This is not the time to go outside
The wind here never changes
I am the sea
This repetitive child swims sideways
Gannets dive into a whirlpool of black
When the grass hits your toes
And the warmth hits your tongue
I am the sea
I crave a sensation
I crave a sensation
That god only gives"
🖤☯️🤍
@user-ez3kz4ml7e
Brilliant! One of the best things I've ever heard. I'm 76, so have heard a hell of a lot!!
@timnagels2363
Just caught them live in Antwerp. One of the best shows I've seen in a few years. The addition of the sax is masterful.
@drivernephi2212
This is just one of those songs that absolutely deserve way more exposure than they have.
@PatrickTingen
Heared this song today and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Raw, dark, aggressive, on the brink of madness. I listened already 8 times and it keeps getting better every time
@BlackFoxxes
God bless you Patrick. "On the bring of madness" is one of the better review quotes we've ever had! Thank you <3
@jwreturn
@@BlackFoxxes I listen to YouTube Music DIY or Die, top 3 songs on that playlist, hooked on it too
@BlackFoxxes
@@jwreturn Thanks so much James! We'll check it out
@albertmctorre4789
wow, this is awesome. The singing nails in the feeling of desperation in the song so perfectly
@BlackFoxxes
Thank you Albert <3
@albertmctorre4789
@@BlackFoxxes * - * eep