They formed in 2002, taking their name from a Boards Of Canada song and had early UK-only single releases Decisions Decisions and Cut It both just sneaked into the UK top 100.
Their 2004 debut album, Pearl Necklace, was highly praised both in UK music press and online, and helped to expand the group's international fanbase. Despite supporting acts such as Idlewild, Biffy Clyro, Silverchair and Placebo and playing festivals in Japan and Europe in 2003-2004, the quartet's album did not perform as well as they had hoped for.
Single releases following the album's launch included download-only Italics, The Exile EP and A Pearl Necklace For Her Majesty.
Bass player Thom Craigen left the band to pursue other interests in early 2005, and was replaced by the band's guitar technician, Mike Newsham. However, following a short European tour, Colour of Fire split after playing Download Festival in 2005.
The band reformed in 2022 with their original line-up, and have been working on new material. They are set to play their first gig in 18 years in December 2023.
Band members:
Owen Richards (guitar, vocals)
Stuart Jones (guitar, vocals)
Matt Lunn (drums)
Thom Craigen (bass 2002-2005, 2022-)
Mike Newsham (bass - 2005)
Where are they now:
Owen went on to form several Leeds-based bands: Grammatics (2006-2010), Department M (2011-2016), and his current band (aside from CoF), Too Much Future.
Stu has several ongoing projects, including die Zerstörten and House Of Spiders.
Matt Lunn worked with Placebo and Shed Seven's Rick Witter, as well as joining Yorkie electro outfit The Officers.
Thom continues to write and play with new band, Modern Day Chicane.
Second Class Citizen
Colour of Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gentlemen kill the jury now say â?? well let's goâ??
I can't stop leaving the lights on
I can't stop leaving the lights on.
The weight of the sea is gonna crush me, finally!
It's honest I know, so everybody lose control!
I'm awake in the world of a second class citizen,
Awake in the world of a military prison,
The sound is breaking every door down in this complex
Wrecked in a mansion, awake with the fevers.
The taps and the clicks around me
That say "go", so lets go.
I can't stop leaving the lights on
I can't stop leaving the lights on
The weight of the sea is gonna kill me, finally!
It's honest I know, so everybody lose control!
I'm awake in the world of a second class citizen,
Approach with caution (then) lead me into chaos.
Awake in the world of a military prison,
The sound is breaking every door down in this complex.
There's nothing safe about these pills that we take,
They make the nightmares that keep us awake!
The lyrics of the song "Second Class Citizen" by Colour of Fire display a sense of hopelessness and entrapment. The opening lines "It lives in a castle, away from the people, Gentlemen kill the jury now say 'well let's go'" suggest a divide between those in power and the common people who are at their mercy. The singer finds themselves incapable of stopping certain self-destructive behaviors such as leaving the lights on, which serves to reveal their powerlessness and lack of control over their own life. The line "The weight of the sea is gonna crush me, finally!" is a metaphorical expression of the overwhelming pressure the individual feels as if they are drowning in their own helplessness.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more urgent tone, describing a sense of impending danger or violence. The lines "Awake in the world of a military prison, The sound is breaking every door down in this complex" further convey the feeling of being trapped and helpless in a situation where they are constantly being attacked. The reference to pills in the closing lines, "There's nothing safe about these pills that we take, They make the nightmares that keep us awake!" suggests that the singer may be using drugs to cope with the bleakness of their reality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Second Class Citizen" are powerful in their description of a person who feels oppressed and trapped by the forces around them. The repeated phrase "I can't stop leaving the lights on" serves as a haunting reminder that the singer is unable to assert control over even the smallest aspects of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
It lives in a castle, away from the people
Referring to the privileged few who live in opulence, detached from the realities of the common man.
Gentlemen kill the jury now say â?? well let's goâ??
The powerful make the rules and dominate, stifling justice and the voice of the masses.
I can't stop leaving the lights on
Metaphor of refusing to let go of past memories and regrets.
The weight of the sea is gonna crush me, finally!
Feeling overwhelmed by the burdens of life, ready to give up.
It's honest I know, so everybody lose control!
The truth is hard to handle, provoking chaos and rebellion.
I'm awake in the world of a second class citizen,
Feeling marginalized and disenfranchised in society.
Approach with caution (then) lead me into chaos.
Urging people to be careful while accepting the invitation to shake things up.
Awake in the world of a military prison,
Feeling trapped and oppressed by a violent and oppressive system.
The sound is breaking every door down in this complex
The sound of dissent is rising and will topple the walls of oppression.
Wrecked in a mansion, awake with the fevers.
Even the rich and powerful are not immune to the pains and suffering of life.
The taps and the clicks around me
Constant noise and activity that distracts from the pain.
That say 'go', so lets go.
Amidst the chaos, there is a call to action and resistance.
There's nothing safe about these pills that we take,
The drugs meant to numb the pain of life can be dangerous.
They make the nightmares that keep us awake!
The side effects of escaping reality have a darker consequence that haunts us.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mathew Laurence Lunn, Owen Brinley Richards, Stuart Steven Jones, Thomas David Craigen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind