Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1989. They have currently released six studio albums. Best known for their songs One Thing, Slow Chemical and Paralyzer, Finger Eleven is an alternative rock band that has earned a devoted following. Their first album, Letters From Chutney, was recorded under the name Rainbow Butt Monkeys, with money won from a rock band search contest on local radio.

They changed their name to Finger Eleven for their breakthrough Tip, released on Mercury Records in Canada in 1997, and re-released by Wind-Up Records in the United States in 1998. The name Finger Eleven comes from an earlier version of the song Thin Spirits from the album Tip. Lead singer, Scott Anderson explains: "when everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in another--that’s finger eleven."

A year later, drummer Rob Gommerman left the band and was replaced by Rich Beddoe. In 2000 they released The Greyest of Blue Skies. 2003's self-titled album Finger Eleven was a commercial success, spawning the single One Thing which reached #16 in the US. The band also recorded the song Slow Chemical for WWE superstar Kane and Daaam! (feat. Tha Alkaholiks) on the compilation album Loud Rocks.

Them vs. You vs. Me, was released on March 6, 2007 and contains the singles Paralyzer, Falling On, I'll Keep Your Memory Vague, and Talking To The Walls.

Their most recent album, Life Turns Electric was released on Oct 5, 2010. It featured singles Living in a Dream, Whatever Doesn't Kill Me, Stone Soul and finally Pieces Fit.

Band Line-up

* Scott Anderson (vocals)
* Rick Jackett (guitar)
* James Black (guitar)
* Sean Anderson (bass)
* Rich Beddoe (drums)

Bones
Finger Eleven Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cloud my eyes and tell me what to see
I'm falling
Every way I turn the same disease
But I like it

Brace myself and hit the wall with ease
Colliding
I'm not minding the pain

I've been down here before

All my bones and joints are sore
Find my way out of the wreck again
I've been down here before
Lost myself and so much more

Find my way out of the game again
Open up my head and take it in
Just like always
Think about the bar and take a swing

Loaded trapeze
What you need the most from me is yours
I'll continue to deceive you my friend
You lost what made you you

Or maybe I never knew
I can't stay here anymore
Give it all or you're on your own

I will leave you
I will leave you

I will leave you
I will leave you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Finger Eleven's "Bones" convey a sense of repetition and acceptance of pain that the singer feels as they navigate through life. The first stanza expresses a desire to be shown the way, even if it means succumbing to the same regrets and difficulties that they have faced before. The second stanza reveals a willingness to persevere in the face of obstacles, even if it means taking a figurative hit, and a denial of the severity of any resulting wounds. The chorus is a declaration of an endless cycle of pain and struggle, with the singer determined to find a way out of their predicament.

The song's bridge adds an element of introspection and doubt, with the singer questioning their own motives and admitting to being deceptive. However, they ultimately decide that they cannot stay in this state and must either give it their all or leave altogether, ultimately deciding on the latter.

Line by Line Meaning

Cloud my eyes and tell me what to see
I am lost and need guidance from someone I trust.

I'm falling
I feel helpless and out of control.

Every way I turn the same disease
I am struggling with the same issue no matter what approach I take.

But I like it
Despite my struggles, I find comfort in the familiarity of my problem.

Brace myself and hit the wall with ease
I am becoming numb to the pain and difficulty of my situation.

Colliding
I am facing obstacles and challenges head-on.

I'm not minding the pain
I have grown accustomed to the pain and it no longer bothers me as much.

I've been down here before
I have faced similar struggles in the past.

All my bones and joints are sore
I am physically and emotionally exhausted from my struggles.

Find my way out of the wreck again
I need to find a way to overcome my problems like I have in the past.

Lost myself and so much more
My struggles have caused me to lose my sense of self and more.

Find my way out of the game again
I need to remove myself from my current situation and start over.

Open up my head and take it in
I need to be open to new ways of thinking and processing my struggles.

Just like always
I tend to fall into the same patterns and routines when dealing with my issues.

Think about the bar and take a swing
I turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with my problems.

Loaded trapeze
I feel like I am balancing on a dangerous edge.

What you need the most from me is yours
I want to provide what someone needs from me, but I am not sure what that is.

I'll continue to deceive you my friend
I am not being honest about my struggles with someone close to me.

You lost what made you you
Someone close to me has changed and lost their sense of identity.

Or maybe I never knew
I am unsure if I truly knew them or if they have always been this way.

I can't stay here anymore
I need to move away from my current situation.

Give it all or you're on your own
I need full commitment and support from those around me or I will have to go it alone.

I will leave you
If I cannot get the support I need, I will have to leave those close to me behind.

I will leave you
I am serious about my decision to leave.

I will leave you
I am ready to move on without those who cannot support me.

I will leave you
I need to prioritize my own well-being and leave behind those who are not helping me.

Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ARNOLD DAVID LANNI, JAMES RYAN BLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@hintaos3872

9y↑45

This song brings to me so many memories at high school, my friends, the girl I loved, the lonely walks... bus ride at rainy afternoon... today I see these days faded away.
Epic song.

@cucarachaandre5171

Hin Taos damn right 🤘🏻

@40zetty

Yes man, 2000 was great. 18 years later still brings back good memories.

@Wand3ringNomad

Dude, you just nailed exactly how this song makes me feel

@iprime189

Same here. Right on the head of the nail.

@alfiedj

Spot on!

@markm2408

3y↑7

One of the BEST albums ever recorded...Seriously...

@TheNickTravel

2y↑3

Dude I had this in my cd player for at least 2 months straight when it came out. Just. So. Good.

@chadsmits6995

1y↑1

100% correct. Top 5 for me start to finish

@davidheustess1360

47w

I agree!!! I used to leave this bad boy in my cd player in my truck

@ChildofTMH144

7y↑25

I absolutely adore this song. It helped me recover from my depression.

@BIGREDDOG09

3y↑1

I've definitely listened to this when I was depressed, but I'm not sure if it helped me

@phasechange5053

8y↑50

wish this band would go hard like this again

@christophernolan9877

I'll Cheers to that

@BIGREDDOG09

You would need Rich for that.

@tobiasmenough

Word

@JohnD-df4xv

11w

Wish your mom would 😂

@TheReviewSpace

9y↑31

This takes me back to grade 8 again....classic early 2000s.

@cws480

4y↑3

Holy! I haven't heard this epic tune in 20 years! What a beautiful song.

@peter.4015

3y↑1

I used to spin " Cold's" 13 ways to bleed onstage, and Finger Eleven's "Greatest of Blue Skies back to back... It was my therapy. 13 ways showed me I wasn't alone as what I had convinced myself I was and they bled with me with their music... Finger Eleven's Greatest Of Blue Skies showed me how to stand again... For that I am eternally greatful...God bless, thank you.

@robertatwell694

9y↑21

As long as I dont have to hear Paralyzer anymore im good....this song definitely stands out from the rest but all in all a GREAT cd!!!

@sarakjeldsen769

4y↑2

I haven't heard this song in over 15 years. Mind blowing.

@gigi2553

6y↑8

I'm surprised I still remember the lyrics in 2018. Definitely my favorite song off the album.

@caseyjones831

6y↑12

This songs heals my wounds on bad days , i usually listen to it for about three maybe four days at one time . Is that unusual ?

@hamsweet9100

3y↑1

My nones and joints are sore. Ive been listening since 1997. Seen them and cant get over it

@brandonmartin5667

33w↑1

SHOUT OUT TO OUR SAVIOR AND A SALVATION… BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS

@1981erictaylor

11y↑1

This album should have won a award.....best album by finger eleven

@meyloose1013

6y↑8

i've time traveled to 2001, and i'm in my dorm room listening to napster.

@danno615

I was in the lincoln theater watching and it was the shznt

@danno615

but it was the tip album and they had aliens on stage and it was the best album yet it was hard and they played the machine by pink Floyd and if you watch the above video when he had hair you will see what I mean and quicksand still one of my favs

@KingShade1

I watched F11 in concert a few times, back when they were touring for this album, and every time I hear Bones and Joints... I just recall the time when Scott stopped singing and pointed the mic to the crowd. I can just hear the crowd singing "I've been down here before..." Man, good memories.

@carriecordero5120

8y↑7

great sad album

@randyravivann2007

10y↑9

brings me back to 2001

@starlynne1395

3y↑1

This song hits so close to home and my ❤.

@nicolegross4274

Such a great but underrated song

@savagerywickedentertainmen9461

4y↑1

This my fav from this album. Next is first time then drag you down

@JimmySkaggs

9y↑5

1:47 - 2:15 is my favorite part of this great song.

@justasinglesummon3912

Couldn't think of the title of this song but I'm glad I found it again

@el1human

Holy s**t! May 20, 2016...live!! I had almost given up on Canada's best coming to D-town again in my lifetime.
The Music Gods heard my prayers!!!!

@isat1840

8y↑2

i saw them at hockey fest 2011 in Brantford along with Three Days Grace

@el1human

8y↑1

That was twice the awesomeness!! Three x the awesomeness would be F11, TDG and 10 Years!

@cucarachaandre5171

Best album back in my college years..🙏🤘🏻😎

@TeleQtricK

Wish this was on Spotify, thanks for the upload!

@Jkd_77

It is

@OTLWReefer

Classic

@johndickinson4727

8y↑2

F*cking LOVE this song bones + joints

@Fartdemon

9y↑1

a grade 8 classic for sure

@Musicmanohio247

This is good stuff.

@simonealbertini5580

This is one of their best songs

@markm2408

Awesome!....

@shannascott1321

I feel this song in my soul

@CS-fe5yg

...2000 miss it

@TheSourceForMegadeth

11y

Still my favorite Finger Eleven song.

@zacharyrizzo3952

Their best album

@Wolfdragon92584

Kind of reminds me of Failure. Cool!!

@MrNothing43

13y↑2

this cd is better when listened straight trough.

@roostr21

Agreed

@arsenykharitonov1151

4y↑1

2020!

@QuiksilverWrestles

12y

amazing song, amazing album,....... formerly amazing band lol

@suicideking971

6y↑3

What happened to finger eleven this whole album kicks ass the other second album is just wtf

@kimibolles

12y↑1

Fcking good song.

@derekadouglas3173

11y

this is some dark eleven, especialy slow chemicle i found to be fowl in a logical sense it was dismeaning but i love both the songs

@ResurrectionThiccness

13y

;D Good Video :3

@Timjvidoes

5y↑1

Who are the 11 people who down thumbed this song? Just listen to the bridge, this is a well written song.

@samuelzeroshi2362

5y↑1

If I somehow make an anime this will be the ending song if I could just only get the license for this

@pigsfood27

12y

so much better than their newer crap. :()

@daveh013

13y

@MrNothing43 you are not wrong

@derekadouglas3173

11y

the best era's for grunge, alternative and punk were the 90,s through to the new millennium and on until 08 when all this new crap came into play

@XSocialMisfitX

12y

DUDE! i so agree i was showing my friends this and being like when they came out on the radio and i heard new finger eleven came was next and when the song played i was like,. um maybe another band..lol sucks.

@maze4037

4y↑2

Anyone listening during 2020 pandemic?

@smoresthehusky2581

Me! Been jamming these guys since I found their first 2 albums and ever since I've ignored the rest of their discography.

@andrewgraves3529

Grade 8 dance

@gs970

You lost what made you you
Or maybe I never knew
I can't stay here anymore
Give it all or you're on your own

@chadkennedy270

Here

@1991wayfarer1991

12y

@tacityrn this the same tacityrn that comments on the omnium gatherum vids?

@BIGREDDOG09

is the chorus "beg my way out of the wreck again?"...or maybe "paid my way..." ?

@bth120

Songs about kicking opioid addiction?

@jobriathboy

7y↑1

Para-what?

@jonathanjollimore7156

Everyday

@purekeynoob

6y↑1

i remember 15 years ago when this was my favorite band and I went to high school with the drummer, I was under age and he bought me booze cuz I got him weed once. The band is shit now... I don't know what happened.