After five full-length releases, one split, several tours and three record labels, Downway collectively decided to end their career, as band members wanted to get married and start 'normal' careers.
Discography
"Downway Is As Downway Does" (Hourglass Records, 1995)
"Kacknacker" (206 Records, 1998)
"Never Be Clever Again" (206 Records, 2000)
"Defeat Songs" (Sessions Records, 2001)
"Hometown Advantage" - Split with Belvedere (Sessions Records/Union Group 2003)
www.myspace.com/downway
Truth and Novelty
Downway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The onus is on you
But Im too numb to even move
Its hard enough when youve got nothing left to prove
Its desperation
Expectations permeating everything we do
Never had a chance to follow through
But we couldnt trust it
So we threw it away
Reaction is an overwhelming
Support for those more overbearing
Realitys too terrifying
For us to ignore
We havent found the answers yet
Idealist or the moderates
No realistic chances but theyll keep on trying
Those who hold solutions sit
Mistrusted by the ignorant
They offer us a chance for change but were not buying
Reaction is an overwhelming
Support for those more overbearing
Realitys too terrifying
For us to ignore
We havent found the answers yet
Idealist or the moderates
No realistic chances but theyll keep on trying
Those who hold solutions sit
Mistrusted by the ignorant
They offer us a chance for change but were not buying
Were paying for our apathy
Truth becomes a novelty
They say that's alright
Its not alright no
The song "Truth and Novelty" by Downway seems to be about the apathy towards change that plagues society. The realization hits that the onus is on the individual, but it's difficult to find the energy to do anything when everything is expected of us. Honesty and trust are qualities that are hard to come by these days, and the lack of them has led us to our current state. We're too scared to face the reality of our situation, which leads to us being more supportive of overbearing individuals than those who have actual solutions. The chorus illustrates the frustration with the lack of tangible progress towards a better future.
The song seems to be a call to action, pointing out that the idealists and moderates may not have the answers yet, but they're still trying. The individuals who have solutions are mistrusted by those who are ignorant, and while they offer a chance for change, nobody is buying it. The consequence of this apathy is that truth becomes a novelty, and we pay the price for it. The song is a warning to not give in to the fear and complacency that has taken hold, and to keep pushing forward towards a better world.
Overall, "Truth and Novelty" seems to be a commentary on the state of society and the need for change, both in individual behavior and in the systems we operate within.
Line by Line Meaning
Struck with the realization
Realizing a truth that's hard to accept
The onus is on you
You are responsible for the actions in question
But Im too numb to even move
Feeling emotionally detached and unable to take action
Its hard enough when youve got nothing left to prove
Feeling overwhelmed when there is nothing left to strive for
Its desperation
Feeling hopeless and in a state of despair
Expectations permeating everything we do
Feeling the pressure to meet societal expectations in all aspects of life
Never had a chance to follow through
Not being able to fully complete or achieve goals
Honestys a quality found in the very few
Being honest is rare and not common among people
But we couldnt trust it
Being unable to rely on honesty due to lack of trust
So we threw it away
Discarding the concept of honesty due to lack of faith in it
Reaction is an overwhelming
The response to the situation is overpowering
Support for those more overbearing
Backing those who are more domineering in nature
Realitys too terrifying
The truth is too scary to face
For us to ignore
Not being able to overlook or neglect the truth
We havent found the answers yet
Still searching for a solution
Idealist or the moderates
Considering two different approaches to the problem
No realistic chances but theyll keep on trying
Despite a lack of practical solutions, people will continue to attempt to solve the issue
Those who hold solutions sit
The people who have the answers are present
Mistrusted by the ignorant
The uneducated or uninformed are suspicious of those who have a solution
They offer us a chance for change but were not buying
Offering an opportunity for change, but people are hesitant to invest in it
Were paying for our apathy
The consequences of being indifferent are being paid for
Truth becomes a novelty
Due to lack of honesty and inability to face reality, truth has become a rarity
They say that's alright
People believe that the current situation is acceptable
Its not alright no
The current situation is not acceptable and needs to change
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.