Channel 3 centered around the friendship of Mike Magrann (vocals, guitar) and Kimm Gardner(guitar), which dated back to the second grade. Forming in 1980, the foursome included Larry Kelley (bass) and Mike Burton (drums, later replaced by Jack DeBaun). They released an EP, Channel 3, in the summer of 1981 and began playing shows in the Los Angeles area. In the summer of 1982, their first album Fear of Life was released, and the band began their first US tour.
After 1983 the band experimented with other styles, alienating many of its original fans. Eventually it returned to its roots, touring Europe in the 1990s and releasing a more punk-oriented CD in 2002.
The Fortune Is A Lie
Channel 3 Lyrics
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The ironies are flying right overhead
You risked my trust for the worst sucker bets
Your closest friend is the latest you've met
Well now how can you think that the best is ahead
When the last bridge is warm to the touch
I used to think that the stars wouldn't lie
I hope you're happy now
Because the fortune's a lie
You'll choke on the bone
Of everything you deny
Look around you now
At the fortune you hold
The price will be paid
When you're standing alone
You walk the streets and covet all you see
When I stood so close that you never saw me
You've copped all your shit and you call it your art
You think with your dick but say it comes from the heart
You sold out everything to move up on a hill
And live among everything that you hate
I gotta admit you had me tapping my foot
But then it sounded pretty good in 1978
The Fortune Is A Lie, by Channel 3 is a song that deals with the theme of betrayal and deception. The lyrics reveal that the singer trusted someone, only to find out later that this person was not trustworthy at all. Throughout the song, the singer uses a tone that is angry and frustrated at the same time, making it clear that this betrayal has affected him deeply. He calls this person a "stupid thing", and accuses him of risking his trust for "the worst sucker bets". He also points out the irony in the situation, highlighting how the person's closest friend is always the latest that he's met.
The chorus of the song talks about the fortune being a lie. The singer claims that this person will choke on the bone of everything he denies, suggesting that he'll eventually pay the price for his actions. The song ends with the singer highlighting the fact that this person has sold out everything to move up on a hill and live among everything he hates. This line is important, as it indicates that while this person may seem to have a lot, internally, he's still unhappy.
Overall, the story told in The Fortune Is A Lie is universal. Everyone can relate to being betrayed, misled, or deceived at least once in their lives. This song vocalizes the pain and frustration that comes with those kinds of experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You stupid thing, you meant everything you said
You were foolish enough to actually believe in what you said
The ironies are flying right overhead
There are many ironic situations happening right in front of you, but you choose to ignore them
You risked my trust for the worst sucker bets
You broke my trust for something that was not worth it
Your closest friend is the latest you've met
You cannot keep any long-lasting relationships and your closest confidant keeps changing
Well now how can you think that the best is ahead
Given your current circumstances, how do you suppose things will only get better?
When the last bridge is warm to the touch
You have burned too many bridges and cannot go back to rectify the issues
I used to think that the stars wouldn't lie
I used to believe in destiny and fate, but now I know better
But tell me how will you stand without your carbonated crutch?
You depend on something dangerous to get you through the day; what will you do without it?
I hope you're happy now
I hope the choices you made lead you to happiness
Because the fortune's a lie
The riches and success you seek are a false reality
You'll choke on the bone
The aftermath of your actions will leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth
Of everything you deny
Things you refuse to acknowledge and accept will come back to haunt you
Look around you now
Take a good look at your current situation
At the fortune you hold
Observe the successes you have achieved
The price will be paid
There will be consequences for everything
When you're standing alone
You will be left by yourself to face the ramifications of your decisions
You walk the streets and covet all you see
You are envious of all the things you do not have
When I stood so close that you never saw me
Even though I was right beside you, you never truly noticed me
You've copped all your shit and you call it your art
You take all your negative experiences and call it your masterpiece
You think with your dick but say it comes from the heart
You only act on immediate desires but justify them with false emotions
You sold out everything to move up on a hill
You gave up on your morals and values to achieve success
And live among everything that you hate
You surround yourself with what you despise, in the guise of being successful
I gotta admit you had me tapping my foot
I must acknowledge that your music sounded catchy initially
But then it sounded pretty good in 1978
Your music was only good during a specific time period and has not aged well
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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