It began when Blyss's lead singer and songwriter, Jason Wade, was 15 years old. At his local church, Wade discovered a love for music and performing along with friends Sergio Andrade and Jon Palmer. There, Wade was introduced to producer Ron Aniello, who helped get the ball rolling for the young musicians. Blyss members Collin Hayden and Aaron Lord joined the band later on.
In 1999, Blyss released a demo album under the band name "Blyss" entitled Diff's Lucky Day. These limited release albums would later sell on online auctions for hundreds of dollars, following the band's name change to the name which would find commercial success, Lifehouse.
In their short time, Blyss performed mainly at local colleges and universities.
Not long after, Blyss signed off officially with DreamWorks Records, changing their name to "Lifehouse". Andrade and Wade were the only remaining founding members. Five of twelve tracks from Diff's Lucky Day would make their way onto Lifehouse's debut album, No Name Face, including the popular single Breathing.
In April 2004, Sergio Andrade left Lifehouse to pursue individual projects. Jason Wade is now the only remaining member of Lifehouse that was a part of the original band, Blyss. On occasion, Wade performed the Blyss track, Storm, at Lifehouse concerts. The song became popularized on the reality series "So You Think You Can Dance", and in June 2007, Blyss' Storm was re-mastered and re-released on Lifehouse's album, Who We Are.
Eighties
Blyss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with the bars on the windows
will you burn the bridge behind you
will you ever come out and see the sun again
or will you hide
and now how long has it been
since you've seen the light
to the top of your tower
stone cold floors
hardwood doors
lead you to your room of plastic flowers
they still look the same
drenched in water
it comforts you to think that they're alive
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself after all
step outside the shadows of your cage
strangled truth
stolen youth
is written on every line of every page
it's your story
do you want it back
you have to decide if it is worth it
swim across the swamp to the other side
run until you're out of breath
and when you look back they'll be nothing left
but a memory fading quickly
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself after all
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself
after all
The lyrics to Blyss's song Eighties seem to be about someone who has become trapped in their own metaphorical castle. The bars on the windows suggest that they are literally imprisoned, but the fact that they have to decide if it is worth it to leave and face themselves suggests that this emotional imprisonment may be self-inflicted. The line about the plastic flowers suggests a sense of artificiality and stagnation within this person's situation. They are trying to convince themselves that things are still alive and blooming around them, but deep down they know that nothing is changing.
The song seems to be encouraging this person to take a chance and step outside of their comfort zone. They are being told to swim across the swamp to the other side, which could represent the process of overcoming obstacles or personal demons in order to reach a better place. The line "and when you look back they'll be nothing left but a memory fading quickly" suggests that it may be difficult to leave the past behind, but that doing so is ultimately necessary in order to move forward.
Overall, Eighties seems to be a song about confronting one's fears and taking a leap of faith. It's about recognizing that the easy path may not be the right one and that sometimes the only way to achieve happiness and fulfillment is to face oneself and one's own limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
when you find your castle on the hill
with the bars on the windows
will you burn the bridge behind you
will you ever come out and see the sun again
or will you hide
and now how long has it been
since you've seen the light
Once you finally find a place where you feel safe, will you cut off all ties with the outside world? Will you ever leave your comfort zone or will you stay hidden away forever? It's been so long since you've experienced true happiness.
make your way on the stairs
to the top of your tower
stone cold floors
hardwood doors
lead you to your room of plastic flowers
they still look the same
drenched in water
it comforts you to think that they're alive
As you climb up to your isolated tower, you see the same artificial flowers that you've always had. Even though they're now wilted and drowned in water, it's comforting for you to pretend they're alive and unchanged like everything else in your life.
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself after all
Maybe it would have been easier to just let go of everything and start fresh. What would you actually miss? But taking that chance requires breaking the silence in your mind and facing the reality of who you are.
step outside the shadows of your cage
strangled truth
stolen youth
is written on every line of every page
it's your story
do you want it back
you have to decide if it is worth it
swim across the swamp to the other side
run until you're out of breath
and when you look back they'll be nothing left
but a memory fading quickly
You're trapped in the lies and regrets of your past, but it's your own story. Do you want to rewrite it or do you want to let it go? It's up to you to decide if it's worth it to battle through the struggles and reach the other side, where the memories of the past will slowly fade away.
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself after all
Once again, it's easier to just give up on everything, but the silence in your mind will eventually force you to confront your inner self. You can't keep holding on to your old life forever.
it could have been easier than this
if you threw it all away
what would you miss
it could have been too much of a chance to take
the silence in your head would have to break
your grip is slipping faster
looks like you'll have to face yourself
after all
The repeated chorus emphasizes the tough decision you have to make. Will you keep holding on to your past, or take the risk of stepping into the unknown? Either way, you have to confront your own thoughts and emotions eventually.
Contributed by Adrian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@scottpe6226
One of their best songs that never made it on an album. Midnight in Philadelphia is another one.
@pauleaster5832
I have just about them all but haven’t heard of that one! Still looking for a decent version of The Edge, another good one
@Finnandjakeable
I can remember listening to Hanging by a Moment, and all their other hits on the radio growing up. Good times (:
@Dragongal9itude
I use this song to fall asleep to when my mind wanders too much...
@amandamccormack9044
" looks like you will have to face your self after all "
:)
@RaIkenT
Well Lifehouse is my fav band since I started hear it , I can say that I heard all their songs... the new cd is pretty good but I miss these slow songs... Jason Wade is the best writer ever.
@user-pr1yd1qv1e
Love all of these hidden treasures from Lifehouse!!! I pray that they become available for downloading!
@jtlimasilvaterto6810
Me toca o coração
@pjkzs
this song is beautiful...lifehouse is amazing... :))
@bleckvampire
Amazing song...