Howl
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
You try so hard to not show
I give you nothing to doubt and you doubt me
I give you all that I have but you don't see
Now I know that my eyes must close here
Every word seems to feel like you don't care
But I know that you're so confused and afraid
I just want to be one true thing that don't fade
I don't want to give up tomorrow
I just can't understand why we're going on
You try so hard to be heard
You try so hard to not hurt
I give you nothing to doubt and you doubt me
I give you all that I have but you don't see
Now I know that my eyes must close here
Every word seems to feel like you don't care
But I know that you're so confused and afraid
I just want to be one true thing that don't fade
I don't want to give up tomorrow
I just can't understand why we're going right
I don't want to be sad
The lyrics to Howl by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club can be interpreted as the frustration of being in a relationship that is not reciprocated. The speaker tries to give their all to their partner, but their partner is cold and distant. They feel unheard and their efforts to not hurt their partner goes unnoticed. The repetition of "you try so hard" implies that the speaker recognizes their partner's effort but wonders why they don't reciprocate.
The lines "Now I know that my eyes must close here, Every word seems to feel like you don't care" suggest a sense of resignation that the relationship might be coming to an end. However, the speaker still wants to hold on to the hope of being the "one true thing that don't fade" and not giving up on tomorrow. The final lines "I don't want to be sad, I just can't understand why we're going right" convey confusion about why the relationship is not working out and a desire to make it work.
Overall, the lyrics suggest the frustration of being in an unrequited relationship and the confusion and sadness that comes with it. The speaker tries to hold on to hope and understand why things aren't working out, but ultimately feels powerless to change the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
You try so hard to be cold
You put a lot of effort into appearing indifferent and unfeeling
You try so hard to not show
You work hard to conceal your true emotions
I give you nothing to doubt and you doubt me
I am completely honest with you, but you still question my trustworthiness
I give you all that I have but you don't see
I provide you with everything I can, but you are oblivious to it
Now I know that my eyes must close here
I am aware that it is time for me to move on from this situation
Every word seems to feel like you don't care
Your words make me feel as though you are apathetic
But I know that you're so confused and afraid
I understand that you are struggling with uncertainty and fear
I just want to be one true thing that don't fade
I desire to be a constant and stable presence in your life
I don't want to give up tomorrow
I do not want to lose hope for the future
I just can't understand why we're going on
I am perplexed as to why we are continuing to endure this situation
You try so hard to be heard
You strive to make your voice and opinions heard
You try so hard to not hurt
You put effort into avoiding causing pain to others
I don't want to be sad
I do not want to experience sadness or emotional suffering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: PETER HAYES, ROBERT TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The band's second album 'Take Them On, On Your Own' featured several songs ('Generation' and 'US Government') which were critical of the United States' foreign policy and George Bush in particular. Read Full BioBlack Rebel Motorcycle Club is a rock band from San Francisco, United States. The band formed in 1998. Influences include The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T. Rex, The Velvet Underground, Love and Rockets, Daniel Ash, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
The band's second album 'Take Them On, On Your Own' featured several songs ('Generation' and 'US Government') which were critical of the United States' foreign policy and George Bush in particular.
After conflict with their label (Virgin Records), the band was dropped in 2004. Nick Jago left the band at the end of their summer tour in the same year due to "internal conflict".
Following Jago's departure Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been regrouped and recorded the band's third album. With their third record Howl, they added blues, folk and gospel, a la Spiritualized.
In 2005 the band inked a new deal with Echo in the UK, and RCA in the US. Nick Jago also returned to the fold. The band's third album "Howl" was released that same year to widespread critical acclaim. Jago returned after most of the album was recorded but played on "Promise".
"Baby 81" the band's fourth album was released on May 1st, 2007. In June 2008 Nick Jago once again left the touring line-up of the band being replaced by The Raveonettes' touring drummer Leah Shapiro. Nick stated that "...I am fired again and to be honest with you I respect their decision".
However Hayes and Been released a conflicting joint statement that read "Nick won't be joining us for the upcoming European tour, but it's not true that he is fired. We just feel Nick needs time to sort out exactly what he wants right now. His heart and all his energy and attention is on his own solo project and he needs to see that through".
Current:
On January 9, 2013, the band announced via Facebook the name of their seventh album called Specter at the Feast which was released on March 18 in the UK and Europe and on March 19 in USA, Canada and worldwide. It is considered a tribute to Michael Been (The Call), Robert Levon Been's father who died suddenly on tour with BRMC in August 2010.
It received mostly positive reviews; many critics noting that despite the band having been together for some time the album showed a mellower and moodier side with songs such as opener `Firewalker'.
The band made the first single from the record available, a cover of The Call's 1989 hit "Let the Day Begin", for free download on their official website. The decision to record the song was a tribute to Robert's father Michael, who used his experience from The Call to help BRMC before his death in the last couple of years. The single became Q Magazine's track of the day.[6] The band have also released the Let the Day Begin EP for free, consisting of the single and the album track "Returning", made available for streaming on the official website.[7]
On April 8, 2013 it was announced that the band would play at Rock Werchter, the largest rock festival in Belgium.
The band continues to show a willingness to tour despite the obstacles. During the 2013 tour, the organisers of the Harvest festival in Australia decided to abandon the multi-city event, of which BRMC were one of the lead acts, only a few months ahead of the performances. BRMC was the first band to announce it would still visit the country and play its own shows.
Many shows on the 2013/2014 tour have sold out.
BRMC's music/songs have been featured in many films, television programs and video games.
Visit blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com for tour/CD and merchandise info.
Discography:
2001 - B.R.M.C.
2001 - Screaming Gun (EP)
2002 - Spread Your Love (EP)
2003 - Take Them On, On Your Own
2005 - Howl
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol.1 (EP)
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol. 2 (EP)
2007 - Baby 81
2007 - Napster Live Session (EP)
2007 - American X: Baby 81 Sessions (EP)
2008 - The Effects Of 333 (Download)
2010 - Beat the Devil's Tattoo
2013 - Specter At The Feast
2018 - Wrong Creatures
Andrej Trbojevic
Why isn't this album on their Spotify?!
Tim Matthews
It’s hard to pin down. So glad I still have my album
Eden Martinez
I know, it's my favorite and is frustrating
Alexis Manriquez
NOP
Chunky Monkeyed
So lucky to be alive and to listen to this over and over again.
Regina Wilson
Beautifully said <3 I feel this.
James Kaleb Wolfe
Thank you Southland Tales for having such a kick ass soundtrack...
Scaredy-Cat 22
Haven’t rewatched in a long time! I know people hated it but I remember defending it when it was released 😭
Now that I hear this song is in it, Naw it’s definitely time for a rewatch!
🤘🏽🖤🤘🏽🖤
Huyền Thương
Matthew O'Donoghue it’s a movie
Matthew O'Donoghue
what is this 'Souhtland Tales' you speak of?