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)
Costume For A Gutterball
Finger Eleven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The holes are big enough to see
I strain and I'm bending to hear you
What did you tell me
So slow
You see me disappear
Taken in taken away
Looking for something left to see
Now I want something
The one in the corner it's moving
Slowly up slowly down
Never too brilliant or clever
It won't turn around
No one will know that I'm looking
They can't get to me
In "Costume For A Gutterball", Finger Eleven uses the metaphor of a mask to depict a person trying to hide their true self. The mask is described as slipping and tearing, indicating that the person's facade is starting to crumble. The holes in the mask are big enough to see, which suggests that the person's true nature is becoming visible to those around them. The person is straining and bending to hear what someone else is saying, which highlights the difficulty they have in connecting with others due to their mask.
As the song progresses, the person seems to become more isolated and lost in their own memories. They disappear into their own thoughts and are caught in a cycle of looking for something that is left to see. It is unclear what this something is, but it implies that the person is seeking a sense of identity or purpose. The final stanza of the song introduces a new character, someone who is physically present but emotionally distant. They move slowly and never turn around, symbolizing the person's inability to make a connection with them. The person watching this character is also unable to make contact, highlighting their own loneliness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
The mask keeps on slipping and tearing
My façade or disguise is slowly losing its effectiveness and wearing out
The holes are big enough to see
People can now see through my disguise and I'm exposed
I strain and I'm bending to hear you
I'm putting in effort to try and understand what you're saying
What did you tell me
I didn't quite catch what you said, could you repeat it?
So slow
Everything around me is moving at a slow pace making me feel stuck in my current situation
You see me disappear
I'm slowly fading or losing my true self and turning into something I'm not
Taken in taken away
I'm caught up in something and can't escape from it
Caught in another memory
I keep reminiscing about the past and can't live in the present
Looking for something left to see
I'm searching for something that can give me hope or happiness
Now I want something
I crave for something that can fill me up internally
The one in the corner it's moving
My observer or someone hidden is slowly making their way into the open
Slowly up slowly down
They are taking their time to avoid any suspicion
Never too brilliant or clever
The observer is not remarkable and doesn't stand out much
It won't turn around
The observer is careful and won't risk getting caught or look back
No one will know that I'm looking
I'm watching them unnoticed and won't reveal my identity
They can't get to me
My observer cannot reveal my secret or affect me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ARNOLD DAVID LANNI, JAMES RYAN BLACK, SCOTT ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind