Together since high school, and still only in their early twenties, Dont Look Down have earned their stripes as relentless road-dogs, sharing stages nationwide with the likes of Yellowcard, Simple Plan, RUFIO, New Found Glory and endless others since releasing their debut full-length Start The Show in early 2002.
With their honest and evolving style (a compelling and unique blend of pop/punk energy and dark, driving rock....played with precision and intensity) and impressive appetite for touring, Dont Look Down's hard work was paying off: the band sold over 5,000 copies of their Five EP, produced by Will Salazar (Fenix TX), on their own in a matter of months, Nitro Records snapped them up in 2003 and recently matched the band up with Brian McTernan for their sophomore album. The Fear In Love is Dont Look Down's next step in their sonic evolution.
“We wanted there to be more of an emphasis on instrumentation on this record to show off our playing ability a bit more,” explains Ogren “We always want to keep challenging ourselves musically.”
Producer Brian McTernan (Thrice, Cave In, Hot Water Music) played an integral roll in Dont Look Down’s maturing sonic signature, bringing The Fear In Love a welcome sense of scale and depth-of-field without sacrificing the band’s emotive rough-edges or performance panache.
Though all four members of Dont Look Down contribute to the writing process, Ogren remains their creative leader. Music entered his life early. He grew up listening to the classic rock of Led Zeppelin and Guns ‘n Roses, before being impacted by the ‘new school’ punk of NOFX, MXPX and later the Ataris and New Found Glory.
More recently, musically ambitious influences like Thrice, Recover and Story of the Year have also influenced the songwriting which became The Fear In Love: the restless riffage and twin-guitar harmonizing of “Stages Of Dying,” juxtaposed against Ogren’s optimistic, cinematic vocal refrains; the ominous bass, interjected guitars and intricate counter-melody of opener “Right Where It Hurts;” and the shape-shifting guitar and drum assault of “Last Breath,” which sets up plaintive plateaus of hope and harmony.
Lyrically, The Fear In Love is at once a personal and universal document, relating what Dont Look Down have been through as a band to what we all experience in life and relationships: “The title, The Fear In Love refers to the fact that with anything involving love there’s always an aspect of fear,” says Ogren. “We love what we do but there’s no guarantee that it’s going to work out - just like with any relationship: you put in all you have, but in the back of your head you really don’t know what’s going to happen. You just have to hope for the best ...”
Having grown up together, Dont Look Down have a best friends’ chemistry on stage which can’t be manufactured, and, though they’re as energetic a band as you’ll see, they have too much respect for their music to let adrenaline overwhelm artistry:“We try to find some sort of medium between going off on stage and playing really well, being a really tight band ...we just try to go out there and play every show as if it is our last.”
A rare coming-together of youthful intensity, unique songwriting skill, fierce playing ability, and endless back-breaking roadwork: Dont Look Down have nothing to fear with The Fear In Love.
Hindsight
Don't Look Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought that things were different
But there still the same
And I just want to belong
To something more than this
Cause finding out I'm different
Is something I don't miss
And see all those things I missed
Sitting at home
All by myself
Thinking of things I never did
What do we have in common
I thought it might be more
But tryin' to have fun
Never seemed like such a chore
Always on the outside
I'm always looking in
excluded from living
This life I never lived
It's so hard to look back now
And see all those things I missed
Sitting at home
All by myself
Thinking of things I never did
Why, can't I
Be more like you now
Why, can't I
Be more like you now
And I just want to belong
To something more than this
Cause finding out I'm different
Is something I don't miss
It's so hard to look back now
And see all those things I missed
Sitting at home
All by myself
Thinking of things I never did
Things I never did
Things I never did
The lyrics of "Hindsight" by Don't Look Down showcase a universal feeling of longing for belonging. The singer voices their disappointment in the realization that despite their efforts to connect, their relationship with the subject of the song remains superficial. The lyrics express a desire to be part of something more significant than their current situation. The singer laments the missed opportunities that may have led to a more profound connection. There's a sense of regret that the singer feels as they dwell on the things they missed in their past.
The lyrics create a mood of contemplation, sadness, and longing. The repetition of the phrase "It's so hard to look back now" emphasizes the melancholic aspect of the song. It is almost as if the singer's past self is talking to their present self, trying to make sense of their experiences. The line "And I just want to belong to something more than this" is particularly powerful, as it encapsulates the universal desire to be part of something more profound than ourselves.
Overall, "Hindsight" by Don't Look Down is a poignant exploration of the human desire for connection and belonging, as well as the feelings of regret that can arise when we feel we missed out on opportunities to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
We're not even friends
Our relationship lacks the basic tenets of friendship.
I thought that things were different
Initially, I had a different perception of our relationship.
But there still the same
Unfortunately, reality has shown that nothing has changed.
And I just want to belong
I desire to be a part of something meaningful.
To something more than this
I crave something that is more significant than my current situation.
Cause finding out I'm different
Discovering that I am not like others is a difficult revelation.
Is something I don't miss
It is not something I relish experiencing.
It's so hard to look back now
Retrospectively analyzing my past is challenging.
And see all those things I missed
I realize that I overlooked many things in my life.
Sitting at home
Being alone in my dwelling.
All by myself
No one accompanies me.
Thinking of things I never did
Meditating on actions that I have not taken.
What do we have in common
I ponder what similarities we share.
I thought it might be more
Initially, I assumed that we had a closer bond.
But tryin' to have fun
Attempting to enjoy myself.
Never seemed like such a chore
However, it always feels burdensome.
Always on the outside
I am consistently excluded.
I'm always looking in
I am always observing from a distance.
excluded from living
I feel removed from the essence of existence.
This life I never lived
I feel like I am not truly living.
Why, can't I
I wonder why I cannot.
Be more like you now
I wish to be more similar to you presently.
Things I never did
Actions that I did not take.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Suralin0
God, I remember this song. I used to have it on my playlist back when I played Tribes 1 Shifter mod.
Justin Krann
I’m 32 now and my best buddy and I still, at least once a year, put this on and let nostalgia take us away. This song will always be a part of me.
Beatriz Elena Guerrero
x 4
Adam Santiago
1000%. I fucking love this song. This band seemingly had everything. Always so curious what happened to them.
ChrisCantWrite
Same man...same.
Valerie Robles
Still love this in 2021
Masel
Epic!
Scott Belton
legendary