Boysetsfire is an American post-hardcore band from Newark, Delaware that fo… Read Full Bio ↴Boysetsfire is an American post-hardcore band from Newark, Delaware that formed in October 1994. The band is composed of guitarists Chad Istvan and Josh Latshaw, vocalist Nathan Gray, and bassists Chris Rakus and Robert Ehrenbrand. Lyrical themes are often of an anti-capitalist, radical left-wing political perspective.

Current members:
Nathan Gray - lead vocals (1994–present)
Josh Latshaw - guitar (1994–present)
Chad Istvan - guitar (1994–present)
Rob Ehrenbrand - bass (2004–2011, 2013–present)
Chris Rakus - bass (2013–present)
Jared Shavelson - drums (2013–present)

Former members:
Darrell Hyde - bass guitar (1994–1999)
Rob Avery - bass guitar (1999–2004)
Marc Krupanski - bass guitar (2011–2013)
Matt Krupanski - drums (1994–2013)
Dan Pelic - drums (2013)
Lee Dickerson - lead guitar (2013)

The Misery Index
BoySetsFire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My life
Charred remains of a flame that's burned out
My lips move but they won't make a sound
I stand motionless, eyes to the ground
Back for more
With reopenned scars I remain
Battered savagely, knees start to shake
I just stand there, I take it, I wait

I'm just waiting for time to erase
And the world to change
Until then I will strive for nothing more
I'll just wait for my heart to break
And arise from ash, reborn
Look at me
Cut my eye and allow me to see
What my life has become on my knees
I hear the screams, I watch myself bleed
My life, it's so familiar
Why lie when everything's the same

But who am I?
And what am I waiting for anyway?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of BoySetsFire's song "The Misery Index" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The first four lines paint a vivid picture of a life that has been reduced to nothing but charred remains, a flame that has burned out. The singer's lips move, but no sound comes out, indicating that he feels voiceless and unheard. His stance is one of defeat, with eyes downcast and no sign of movement.

The next lines mention scars and battering, suggesting that the singer has been through many trials that have left him physically and emotionally damaged. Despite this, he continues to endure, standing motionless and waiting for time to heal his wounds. He has given up on striving for anything more and is resigned to waiting for his heart to break, knowing that he will rise from the ashes to start a new life.

The lyrics are a poignant reminder of how easy it can be to become trapped in a cycle of despair and hopelessness. The singer's inability to move, speak or act shows how being stuck in this state can make someone feel powerless and voiceless, as if they have no control over their life. The themes of pain, disillusionment, and rebirth are explored in these lyrics, making them both universal and relatable.

Line by Line Meaning

My life
The state of my existence

Charred remains of a flame that's burned out
My existence is like the remnants of an extinguished fire

My lips move but they won't make a sound
I am unable to express myself

I stand motionless, eyes to the ground
I am standing still, staring at the earth

Back for more
Coming back again

With reopened scars I remain
I still have scars from before

Battered savagely, knees start to shake
I have been beaten badly and my knees are trembling

I just stand there, I take it, I wait
I do not fight back, I endure it and await the end

I'm just waiting for time to erase
I am hoping that time will make my suffering go away

And the world to change
I am waiting for the world to become better

Until then I will strive for nothing more
I will not seek anything else until things get better