Chamberlain was an indie rock band from Indianapolis & Bloomington, Indiana… Read Full Bio ↴Chamberlain was an indie rock band from Indianapolis & Bloomington, Indiana, previously having been known as Split Lip, they changed their name and their general sound away from hardcore punk in 1996.

The band released Fate's Got A Driver in 1996, toured the US and Europe and took time out to record a new demo. After appearing at numerous major label events, the band were due to sign for Revolution Records, an imprint of Warner Music Group, but a signing freeze just before putting pen to paper thwarted them.

The band returned to the studio in 1998 to record their sophomore album for Doghouse Records, The Moon My Saddle. After several line-up changes which saw Clay Snyder, Curtis Mead and Charlie Walker leave the band, the group promptly broke-up. Their third album, Exit 263, a collection of uncompleted songs, was released independently in 2000 through the band's management company.

The double CD retrospective, Five-Year Diary (which is also the name of a song from Fate's Got A Driver) was released independently in 2002. The album features live tracks and old demo recordings.

The band is playing shows in July 2010 with the Gaslight Anthem and Tim Barry. They are also releasing new material, including a new version of "The South Has Spoiled Me" (originally from their split with Old Pike) featuring vocals by Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem. The new EP is available at http://chamberlain.bandcamp.com/album/raise-it-high

Last To Know
Chamberlain Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lord, lord, what you got in store for me?
You gotta give me your word that this boy won't bleed.
With arms too short to box with you; what's your plan?
Tell me and I'll follow through...
Why am I the last one to know?
I built up a temple inside with words inscribed over the door "I'm right".
And one night I invited you in for awhile, and when you walked out the whole place came down...
But why am I the last one to know?

Why am I always the last one to know?
I don't like the sound of my heart breaking down.
It seems the more I've searched, in the end the less I've found.
The harder I try to be right, I get it wrong every time.
Wherever my heart goes, I'm the last one to know. I'm lost.
Lord, I'm lost...my last deal gone down, and I'm the last to know how.

But, somehow, I'll make you proud of me the way you're proud of the moon and the sea...
Why am I the last one to know? Why am I always the last one to know?

Overall Meaning

The song "Last to Know" by Chamberlain is a contemplative and introspective piece that reflects on the singer's struggle to understand and come to terms with their role in life. The song begins with the singer addressing the Lord and asking for guidance. They are seeking reassurance that they won't experience any pain in their journey, but also acknowledge that they are unable to challenge the Lord's plan as they are powerless to fight back. The singer's sense of helplessness and lack of control is emphasized as they state that their "arms are too short to box with [the Lord]."

The second verse finds the singer questioning why they always seem to be the last to know important information. They admit to constructing an internal temple based on their own beliefs and righteousness, but eventually inviting the Lord in and allowing that belief system to be shattered. Despite this, the singer is still left feeling lost and alone, unsure of their purpose and constantly failing in their attempts to make sense of things. The final lines show a resigned acceptance of their fate, but also convey a desire to make the most of what they have and strive for something greater.

Line by Line Meaning

Lord, lord, what you got in store for me?
Asking the divine force for guidance and direction in life

You gotta give me your word that this boy won't bleed.
Asking for assurance and protection from harm

With arms too short to box with you; what's your plan?
Admitting that he is powerless and seeking the plan or purpose of the divine force

Tell me and I'll follow through...
Willingness to comply and obey the plan or purpose given

Why am I the last one to know?
Expressing confusion and frustration over not being informed or aware of something important

I built up a temple inside with words inscribed over the door 'I'm right'.
Creating a belief system or ideology that is fixed and unchangeable

And one night I invited you in for awhile, and when you walked out the whole place came down...
Realizing that the belief system or ideology is flawed and collapses when challenged

But why am I the last one to know?
Reiterating the confusion and frustration over not realizing the flaw sooner

Why am I always the last one to know?
Expressing a pattern of being unaware or uninformed about important matters

I don't like the sound of my heart breaking down.
Feeling pain and distress from emotional turmoil

It seems the more I've searched, in the end the less I've found.
Feeling disillusioned with the pursuit of knowledge or answers

The harder I try to be right, I get it wrong every time.
Experiencing failure and frustration in the pursuit of being correct or infallible

Wherever my heart goes, I'm the last one to know. I'm lost.
Feeling directionless and without purpose or guidance in life

Lord, I'm lost...my last deal gone down, and I'm the last to know how.
Acknowledging failure and lack of knowledge or awareness in a particular situation

But, somehow, I'll make you proud of me the way you're proud of the moon and the sea...
Expressing a desire to gain the approval and pride of the divine force

Why am I the last one to know? Why am I always the last one to know?
Repeating the main question and frustration throughout the song

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM J. RUBENSTEIN, DAVID V. MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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