Fifteen released their first record in 1991 on Lookout records. It was singer/guitarist Jeff Ott's vision to create music that didn't just rock, but had something important to say as well. After four records on Lookout, two on Grass Records, three on Sub City Records, and three more on indefinite self-published labels, Fifteen were viewed as the leaders in the political-punk music scene. They tackle such burning issues as homelessness, drug abuse, needle exchange, environmental destruction and the government's use of counterintelligence measures to violate activist's civil rights. Fifteen first broke up in 1996 after the self-released "extra medium kickball star."
They reformed in 1998 and released Hush and Survivor then disbanded 2000 with Jeff Ott stating that the anti-commercial DIY ethics of punk rock made it too expensive for him to have a band while raising a family.
The band had a total of fifteen members during its existence: Jeff Ott, Jack Curran, Mikey Mischief, Mark Moreno, Jean Repetto, Lucky Dog, Chris Flanagan, John Ogle, Jessie Wickman, Joe Cable, John Quintos, Scott Pierce, Jim Prior, Lisa D. and Vanessa Bain.
Definition
Fifteen Lyrics
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My heart remains burnin'
And I must wonder
Is there any escape from being alone
Is there any shelter
Is there any home ('cause I'm 3000 miles from home)
Is there any escape from being alone
Please lord won't you give me some meaning
Words can't rationalize, years that I've cried
Words don't help me understand much anyway
Please lord won't you shed me some light
'cause I'm just looking to feel all right sometimes
I lose my mind, I lose my life, I lose you
And you are my everything
The lyrics of the song "Definition" by Fifteen touch upon the profound feelings of loneliness and yearning for connection, as well as the search for meaning and understanding in life. The opening lines suggest a sense of constant motion and change in the world, while the singer's heart remains burning with a persistent longing. The repeated refrain of "Is there any escape from being alone?" echoes the central theme of the song, as the singer grapples with the isolation and disconnection that they feel.
The verses mention the singer's physical distance from home and their emotional turmoil, with the plea for a definition or explanation of their feelings. The lyrics acknowledge that words cannot fully rationalize or describe the depth of emotion and pain, but the singer still seeks some form of clarity or insight. The final lines reveal the importance of the person addressed as "you," who represents everything to the singer and whose loss would have devastating consequences.
Overall, "Definition" is a powerful and introspective song that delves into universal human experiences of loneliness, longing, and the search for meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
As the world keeps on turnin'
Despite the constant change in the world around me
My heart remains burnin'
I'm still deeply feeling the pain and longing inside
And I must wonder
I can't help but question
Is there any escape from being alone
Is there any way to stop feeling this intense loneliness?
Is there any shelter
Is there a safe and comforting place for me?
Is there any home ('cause I'm 3000 miles from home)
Is there any place that truly feels like home, especially when I'm so far away from everything familiar?
Please lord won't you give me some meaning
I'm begging for a purpose or reason for all of this
A definition to what I've been feeling
I need some clarity and understanding about my emotions
Words can't rationalize, years that I've cried
No words can accurately explain or justify the long and intense periods of crying that I've experienced
Words don't help me understand much anyway
I've tried using words to make sense of it all, but they haven't been very helpful
Please lord won't you shed me some light
I'm asking for some guidance or direction
'cause I'm just looking to feel all right sometimes
I'm not asking for a permanent solution, just some occasional relief from the pain
I lose my mind, I lose my life, I lose you
When I'm feeling my lowest, I feel like I'm losing everything, including the person who means the most to me
And you are my everything
You are the most important person in my life and losing you would be devastating
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEFFREY OTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind