Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help support the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. They were known for dressing up in wacky costumes and fundraising for social causes. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played the final show of the tour on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and was sold with the band's album, The End is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.
On November 22, 2011, they announced via social media outlets and a week-long online scavenger hunt that they were recording a new album. The entire project was crowd funded in under an hour and met with a reunion show and touring. The results of the endeavor, Engine of a Million Plots, was released on November 26th, 2013. All members of the 2003 lineup participated in the project, with the exception of bassist Keith Hoerig, who was replaced by original guitarist Scott Kerr (who had left the band in 1998).
Anthem
Five Iron Frenzy Lyrics
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To sing their anthem proudly
Voices raised to sing their praise
Of their hollow country
All this talk of freedom
And some talk of liberty
From your plastic podium
You try and convince me
I can't fall anymore
For some silver-tongued song
Your freedom isn't free
So let me say what freedom means to
I can't see red, white, and blue waving in the air
I don't hear the bombs bursting and I don't even care
I'm sorry for my lack of faith
I'm not the greatest patriot
If this is all their is to freedom I don't want it
I can't fall anymore
For some silver-tongued song
Your freedom isn't free
So let me say what freedom means to
Pushing us a drug that you call freedom and democracy
Promise us that selfishness is the means for happiness
I burned that bridge so long ago that I can hardly see
Anything but solace in what freedom means to me
I can't fall anymore
For some silver-tongued song
Freedom isn't free
So let me say what freedom means to
It cannot mean to serve ourselves
That doesn't mean a thing
It doesn't mean to give the license
To seek ourselves in anything
That would be slavery to ourselves it isn't free
Jesus Christ, the only thing that freedom means to me.
The song "Anthem" by Five Iron Frenzy, is a reflection on the idea of freedom and patriotism in society. The lyrics describe a nation, standing with their heart in hand, singing their national anthem. However, the singer is skeptical of the hollow nature of this show of patriotism, with "plastic podiums" and "silver-tongued songs" attempting to convince people of their freedom and liberty. The singer acknowledges that freedom is not free and that the country is pushing it as a drug, called "freedom and democracy".
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer cannot fall for the performance of a patriotic song anymore, and the rest of the song describes his disillusionment with false patriotism. The singer explains that he cannot see the significance of the symbols of his country, such as the flag, and the sounds that represent "freedom," such as bombs bursting in the air. He feels sorry for his lack of faith in his country, but if this is what freedom means, then he wants no part in it. Ultimately, he concludes that freedom should not mean serving ourselves or seeking ourselves in anything, as that is just another form of slavery, and freedom only means Jesus Christ to him.
Line by Line Meaning
A nation stands with heart in hand
The people of this country stand united with loyalty and patriotism
To sing their anthem proudly
They are proud of their country and its accomplishments
Voices raised to sing their praise
They sing in appreciation and admiration for their country
Of their hollow country
Despite the country's positive qualities, it lacks depth and substance
All this talk of freedom
Many discussions are had about the concept of freedom
And some talk of liberty
Others discuss the concept of liberty
From your plastic podium
Politicians use superficial and insincere rhetoric to persuade individuals
You try and convince me
The artist feels that politicians are making false promises
I can't fall anymore
The artist refuses to be manipulated and deceived
For some silver-tongued song
The artist has grown tired of hearing empty, persuasive speeches
Your freedom isn't free
True freedom has a cost and requires sacrifice
So let me say what freedom means to
The artist wants to express their own definition of freedom
I can't see red, white, and blue waving in the air
The singer is disillusioned and unmoved by patriotic symbols
I don't hear the bombs bursting and I don't even care
The singer is apathetic towards war and violence
I'm sorry for my lack of faith
The singer acknowledges their deficiency in belief or confidence
I'm not the greatest patriot
The artist is not the most devoted or enthusiastic citizen
If this is all their is to freedom I don't want it
If freedom means only superficial symbols and shallow values, it is not worthwhile to the artist
Pushing us a drug that you call freedom and democracy
Politicians promote a false version of freedom and democracy that is addictive and deceptive
Promise us that selfishness is the means for happiness
Politicians suggest that greed and self-centeredness will bring happiness
I burned that bridge so long ago that I can hardly see
The artist has disconnected from the political system and its false promises
Anything but solace in what freedom means to me
The artist has found peace and fulfillment in their own definition of freedom
It cannot mean to serve ourselves
True freedom is not based on serving our own selfish desires
That doesn't mean a thing
Fulfillment cannot be found in selfishness
It doesn't mean to give the license
Freedom is not a justification for indulging in any behavior
To seek ourselves in anything
True freedom is not found in pursuing selfish desires
That would be slavery to ourselves it isn't free
Indulging in personal desires only leads to enslavement and is not true freedom
Jesus Christ, the only thing that freedom means to me.
The singer has found true freedom in their faith and belief in Jesus Christ
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW JOHN CONNELL, DONALD GEORGE JOHNSON, JEREMY EDWARD SIMON KERR, MARTIN RICHARD MOSCROP, ANTHONY QUIGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind