Since Defiance, Ohio formed in 2002 they have released four full length LPs, Share What Ya Got, The Great Depression, The Fear, the Fear, the Fear, Midwestern Minutes and several singles, B sides and split EPs. In the DIY spirit they release most of their music themselves, producing their own CDs, as well as allowing anyone to download all their music for free from their website (http://defianceohio.terrorware.com). When not releasing their own music, the band works with small independent record labels in order to produce their releases. Their three most recent albums were released on No Idea.
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Calling Old Friends
Defiance Ohio Lyrics
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Calling old friends to make sure they're real, talking, talking just to feel that sense of home you lost when you left last year. Distance is just numbers on a dashboard, hours thinking about nothing but the transmission stutter you fear.
I remember what you whispered in my ear, and all the things we tried so hard to never have to hear, like "kids tighten up, start saving for the golden years". Well that picture it fades day by day and the outcome's not so clear.
Don't think I'll see you around this winter, and my tongue's stuck full of splinters; I'm embarrassed to admit what I've been thinking. Hope keeps some afloat, but for me it's no life boat. The tighter I hold on the deeper down I'm sinking.
Defiance Ohio's song "Calling Old Friends" is a reflection on the distance that can often grow between friends as they go through different stages in life. The lyrics describe the roads that stretch ahead of us, both literally and figuratively, and the sense of uncertainty that can come with navigating them. The band sings about singing traditional songs from the past, as a way of holding onto a sense of familiarity and comfort in the face of change. They acknowledge that these times have made them stronger, but they don't know what the future holds.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the desire to connect with old friends, even if it's just for the sake of feeling like you have a sense of home again. The lyrics remind us that distance can feel like nothing more than numbers on a dashboard, but it's the emotional distance that can be the hardest to bridge. The singer reflects on conversations they had with their friends in the past, about saving for retirement and other markers of growing up. These conversations are juxtaposed with the reality that life doesn't always go as planned, and the outcome isn't always clear.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges that they may not see their friends again anytime soon. They express embarrassment at the thoughts that have been running through their head, perhaps thoughts of regret or missed opportunities. The singer reflects on the power of hope, but also recognizes that it's not a lifeboat for everyone. The final verse of the song is a sobering reminder of the fact that we all come into the world alone and seek connections with others to help us through the tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
The roads that stretch ahead of us, the roads that led us here; singing traditional renditions of the songs we sang last year.
Reflecting on the paths taken that brought us to where we are now, we find solace in singing the familiar songs from the past.
And though these times have made us stronger, the outcome's no more clear.
Despite the challenges we've faced, we're not any closer to knowing how things will turn out.
Calling old friends to make sure they're real, talking, talking just to feel that sense of home you lost when you left last year.
Reaching out to old friends for connection and a reminder of what it's like to be back home.
Distance is just numbers on a dashboard, hours thinking about nothing but the transmission stutter you fear.
Miles and time spent traveling become meaningless, as the only thing on our mind is the fear of something going wrong.
I remember what you whispered in my ear, and all the things we tried so hard to never have to hear, like "kids tighten up, start saving for the golden years". Well that picture it fades day by day and the outcome's not so clear.
Recalling the advice of elders to prepare for the future, but realizing that even the most well-thought out plans can still be unclear and uncertain.
Don't think I'll see you around this winter, and my tongue's stuck full of splinters; I'm embarrassed to admit what I've been thinking.
Doubting the possibility of reconnecting with old friends and feeling ashamed to admit our thoughts and emotions.
Hope keeps some afloat, but for me it's no life boat. The tighter I hold on the deeper down I'm sinking.
While hope can sustain some through difficult times, for others it can lead to a deeper sense of despair and helplessness.
I tried to put my finger on it but I gave it my whole arm. I reached out with good intentions, but I only did more harm.
Attempting to understand and solve a problem, but actually making it worse by getting too involved.
Find ourselves alone since the day we're born, and we seek someone to sew sutures in the places where we're torn.
Feeling isolated from birth and searching for someone to mend the emotional wounds we carry.
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.