The band's debut album, Collapse, was released on Rise Records in 2012. Dangerkids moved to Paid Vacation Records for their sophomore release, blacklist_, released in 2017. In November 2020, Tyler Smyth revealed the band were working on their third album.
Countdown
Dangerkids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
3, 2, 1, but the camera's pause,
Lights go out and the frame goes soft,
The color's bled and the picture's off.
Time, it seems to stop,
You get a little bit but not a lot,
Dangerous kids, a bunch of misfits,
Show you what we got.
I'm gone tonight,
Playing way too hard just to fall tonight.
Believe when I say when it's over,
You won't believe anything that you saw tonight.
So stop and wave to the silent crowd,
3, 2, 1, and the empty sound.
Applause, applause,
Before we bring the fucking house down.
Oh, it's taking control now.
Breaking open the gates,
And tearing them now.
It feeds on the violence.
Just a number to them,
A face in the crowd.
Unbreakable,
You're selling yourself like a brand,
And don't you know
How much you pay
To sit in the palm of their hand?
I'm just a fake, just a lie.
You build it up and I'll break it down.
And the truth, yeah, it's mine,
And it's really all that I got.
And time, it seems to stop,
You get a little bit but not a lot.
Dangerous kids, a bunch of misfits,
Show you what we got.
Open your eyes,
You're treading water.
Before you drown in the truth,
Become the lie.
I'd die tonight just to feel alive.
(You're waking up)
We'll die tonight just to feel alive.
This is a countdown to nothing,
Here in the palm of my hand.
So will you let me destroy you,
Like the machine that I am?
And tonight,
We'll die tonight just to feel alive.
The lyrics of "Countdown" reflect the dangers of fame and the entertainment industry. The song talks about how people who are consumed by their desire for fame and recognition are often willing to do anything to achieve it, even if it means losing themselves in the process. The opening lines "Stop and wait, hold your applause, 3, 2, 1, but the camera's pause, Lights go out and the frame goes soft, The color's bled and the picture's off" create a sense of anticipation and set the stage for the rest of the song. The lyrics paint a picture of the dangers of fame, the idea that people often have to sacrifice themselves to achieve it, and the fickle nature of an audience's support.
The verse "You're selling yourself like a brand, And don't you know, How much you pay To sit in the palm of their hand?" talks about the societal pressure to conform to specific images of success and beauty in exchange for fame and attention, while the chorus "I'm just a fake, just a lie, You build it up and I'll break it down, And the truth, yeah, it's mine, And it's really all that I got" emphasizes the internal turmoil and the struggle to maintain authenticity in an industry that can be ruthless.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop and wait, hold your applause,
Pause and take a moment, don't cheer yet
3, 2, 1, but the camera's pause,
Countdown to the start, but something's not right
Lights go out and the frame goes soft,
Everything fades away
The color's bled and the picture's off.
The vibrancy and clarity have disappeared
Time, it seems to stop,
Moments feel stretched out
You get a little bit but not a lot,
There's not enough - just a taste
Dangerous kids, a bunch of misfits,
A group of odd, risky people
Show you what we got.
Demonstrate our talents to you
Yeah, it's on tonight,
Things are happening tonight
I'm gone tonight,
I'm leaving tonight
Playing way too hard just to fall tonight.
Taking great risks and could fail
Believe when I say when it's over,
Trust that when it's done
You won't believe anything that you saw tonight.
You'll be amazed with disbelief
So stop and wave to the silent crowd,
Acknowledge the unresponsive audience
3, 2, 1, and the empty sound.
Starting with no response
Applause, applause,
Now, clap and cheer
Before we bring the fucking house down.
Before we destroy it all
Oh, it's taking control now.
An uncontrollable force has taken over
Breaking open the gates,
Destroying the entrance barriers
And tearing them down.
Ripping them apart
It feeds on the violence.
Thrives on the damage caused
Just a number to them,
You are trivial to them
A face in the crowd.
Just another person out there
Unbreakable,
Immune to damage
You're selling yourself like a brand,
You present yourself like a commodity
And don't you know
Don't you realize
How much you pay
The cost you bear
To sit in the palm of their hand?
To be under their control
I'm just a fake, just a lie.
I'm a fraud and a fabrication
You build it up and I'll break it down.
If you create something, I'll ruin it
And the truth, yeah, it's mine,
I own the truth
And it's really all that I got.
The truth is all I possess
Open your eyes,
Wake up
You're treading water.
You're trying to survive
Before you drown in the truth,
Before the harsh reality overwhelms you
Become the lie.
Deceive yourself
I'd die tonight just to feel alive.
Risking everything to feel something
(You're waking up)
(Realizing what's happening)
We'll die tonight just to feel alive.
We'll risk everything to create something meaningful
This is a countdown to nothing,
An empty countdown
Here in the palm of my hand.
Under my control
So will you let me destroy you,
Will you allow me to ruin you
Like the machine that I am?
Like the unfeeling robot that I've become
And tonight,
Today
We'll die tonight just to feel alive.
We'll risk everything to create something meaningful
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GaryJust
The intro is something absolutely amazing for this song.The build-up is beyond good!
@rhorne22
The YouTube advertisement did not lie to me. This band rocks. Bought the album after listening to 3 tracks. Good stuff. Props, Rise. Props, Dangerkids. New fan gained.
@tristananvilcaster
Just saw them live with Motionless in White in Atlanta and can say they kick major ass live! Also I got a picture with the two vocalists and a signed CD! Amazing band, so nice and they truly care about their music and fans
@ashleyxelizabeth
This whole album is fucking amazing! i love it! feel in love after listening to 2 songs! They are like a newer Linkin Park i dig it!
@localpsychoticbackup
Goddamn I love this song.
@HybirtProductions
Hank aren't you suppose to be doing some propane related activity. Don't make me tell Strickland that you are slacking.
@medusaheroin
Hank Hill has some damn good music taste, then.
@localpsychoticbackup
Haha that I do
@fredrikhaugseth2933
Your music is just bloody awesome! Don't stop making music, please! Your album just kicks ass
@Glavez754
Love this band so much. Saw them twice already