On January 27, 2008, lead singer Thomas Dutton announced on the band's blog that the other 3 members had decided to leave the band, citing personality conflicts as the primary reason. The next album released under the band's name was Razia's Shadow: A Musical. The album was conceived by Thomas Dutton and co-written by his brother Paul. The album also features Rudy Gajadhar of Gatsbys American Dream on drums. It is a musical featuring members of popular bands such as Say Anything, The Hush Sound, An Angle, The Dear Hunter, This Providence, The Matches, Saves the Day and Panic at the Disco, among others. [taken from wikipedia.org]
They signed to Fueled by Ramen in late 2005 and took over the world in 2006.
They released an EP in the fall of 2004 titled "When You're Alone, You're Not Alone" independently.
They released their FBR debut full-length on May 9th and the title is "Wonderland".
Noted for an energetic live show, the finale of which is a rendition of the song "Il Tango Della Signora Francesco Di Bartolommeo Di Zanobi Del Giocondo" which involves the entire band, often accompanied by one or more of the members from other bands on tour with them, drumming at the same time.
The Exit
Forgive Durden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm supposed to call this home
The dark has become so overwhelming
So why don't I just go
Why can't you just be more like your brother?
Together you would rule the throne
Evil and darkness would grow
"Why can't you just be more like Pallis?" they always ask
Could this feeling deep in me be the prophecy?
As a child I heard such wonderful stories
Of lamps, and the oracle, and holy the sea
Silly boy, you speak of fiction
Silly boy, you can't just leave them
Reaching for some fairy tale ending
Myth or legend
Oh, what's the use maybe they're right
What's the point of dreaming
If it can never materialize?
Townsfolk are ashamed
Why can't I live up to my family name?
Well it's not me, but you see it's just my pedigree
You're a reckless and romantic rogue
Your head is in the clouds
You'll be chained here all your life
Shackled to the ground
You're not the chosen one
Don't you ever dream of some place better
Or a life that's greater
Don't you ever feel like you've been destined
For something bigger than your skin?
You are so foolish
The dark has been your home
If you elope, I'll hunt you
Through suffering you'll atone
Dear Pallis, you're my brother
You looked and watched over me
But there's something bigger at stake
My purpose is this journey
Brother, you are shortsighted
Naive and starry-eyed
You are not the chosen one
This will be your demise
Brother, I can't help this feeling
My heart tells me to run
You were meant to rule the dark
I was meant to see the sun
Don't you ever dream of some place better
When the light shines brighter?
Don't you ever feel like you've been destined
For something bigger than your skin?
I think I'll just go
"Adakias, tired of fiction and bound by his ambition
Left his home for the city of light
Disguised as a citizen his identity was hidden
Within in a city that sat glistening
He was eager for his new life
He contemplated and hated
Why had he waited for so long
To flee his home forever shaded, where the jaded are never wrong?
He took a deep breath
He was finally gone
His hope was left strong
That a meaning would be found
That had kept him withdrawn
His stare had caught a light
And he fell for the sight
Her name was Princess Anhura
She suffered from the same strife
And like Adakias, she spent most of her time
Dreaming of a different life."
Don't you ever feel like you've been destined
For something bigger than your skin?
The lyrics of Forgive Durden's song The Exit tells the story of Adakias, a character who feels trapped in his surroundings and is seeking something beyond what he knows. He struggles with the expectations of his family and society, who want him to follow the same path as his brother, a path that he feels is not his own. The theme of the song is one of individuality, exploration, and a search for identity. Adakias feels that he is meant for something greater than what he can see around him, and while he may be afraid to pursue this desire, ultimately, he decides that he cannot ignore the calling of his heart.
Throughout the song, Adakias’ mind is divided between the expectations of his community and the dreams he has for himself. He hears the voices of those who would have him stay where he is, as well as the voice within him that longs to break free. The lyrics depict an inner struggle that is universal in nature, as many people grapple with the tension between following tradition or seeking their own path in life. Ultimately Adakias chooses to leave, seeking a new life and the possibility of realizing his destiny.
The song is a reflection on the human experience of searching for meaning, grappling with change, and discovering one’s path in life. It encourages listeners to follow their dreams and embrace the journey of self-discovery, even if it means going against the expectations of those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at that which surrounds me
I feel trapped in the darkness that surrounds me
I'm supposed to call this home
I'm supposed to belong here, but I don't feel like I fit in
The dark has become so overwhelming
The darkness has taken over and it's too much to bear
So why don't I just go
I'm considering leaving to find something better
Why can't you just be more like your brother?
People always compare me to someone else and wish I was more like them
Together you would rule the throne
If I teamed up with my brother, we could be powerful leaders
Evil and darkness would grow
But that power would come at a cost and darkness would spread
This kingdom needs you
I'm being pressured to stay and rule to help this place
"Why can't you just be more like Pallis?" they always ask
I'm tired of being compared to my brother
Could this feeling deep in me be the prophecy?
I wonder if my desire to leave is a sign of something greater
As a child I heard such wonderful stories
I grew up hearing amazing tales of adventure and magic
Of lamps, and the oracle, and holy the sea
These stories included amazing things like magic lamps, prophesies, and holy places
Silly boy, you speak of fiction
Someone is mocking my dreams by calling them silly and fictional
Silly boy, you can't just leave them
But I can't just abandon my dreams and desires
Reaching for some fairy tale ending
I'm hoping for a happy ending like in a fairy tale
Myth or legend
But maybe these stories are just myths or legends
Oh, what's the use maybe they're right
I'm starting to doubt myself and wonder if they are right
What's the point of dreaming
I'm questioning the value of my dreams if they can never come true
If it can never materialize?
Why bother dreaming if it can never become a reality?
Townsfolk are ashamed
I'm judged and looked down upon by the people in my town
Why can't I live up to my family name?
I feel like I'm not living up to expectations and the reputation of my family
Well it's not me, but you see it's just my pedigree
I'm blaming my lack of success on my family history and genes
You're a reckless and romantic rogue
Someone is teasing me for being impulsive and overly romantic
Your head is in the clouds
I'm accused of being unrealistic and having unrealistic expectations
You'll be chained here all your life
I'm being warned that I'll never escape this place and way of life
Shackled to the ground
I'm held down and unable to ever leave
You're not the chosen one
Others are telling me that I'm not special or destined for greatness
Don't you ever dream of some place better
I wonder if anyone else has aspirations for something greater
Or a life that's greater
Maybe there's more to life than what we have here
Don't you ever feel like you've been destined
I'm wondering if anyone else thinks they were meant for something bigger
For something bigger than your skin?
Is there something greater out there waiting for us to discover?
The dark has been your home
I'm being warned that the darkness will always be a part of me
If you elope, I'll hunt you
Someone is threatening to find me if I try to leave
Through suffering you'll atone
I'm being warned that leaving will come at a great cost and I'll have to pay for it through suffering
Dear Pallis, you're my brother
I'm addressing my brother directly
You looked and watched over me
I'm acknowledging that my brother has cared for me in the past
But there's something bigger at stake
I'm convinced that my life has a greater purpose than just protecting me
My purpose is this journey
I'm committing to leaving in search of something greater
Brother, you are shortsighted
My brother doesn't see the bigger picture
Naive and starry-eyed
He's being called unrealistic and overly optimistic
This will be your demise
I'm being warned that my ambitions and dreams will lead to my downfall
Brother, I can't help this feeling
I'm admitting that I can't ignore the desire to leave
My heart tells me to run
My instincts are driving me to leave and find something greater
You were meant to rule the dark
I'm being told that my brother has a different destiny
I was meant to see the sun
My destiny involves leaving the darkness and finding a better life
When the light shines brighter?
I'm wondering if there's a better place out there with brighter opportunities
I think I'll just go
I'm making the decision to leave, despite the risks and warnings
"Adakias, tired of fiction and bound by his ambition
The story shifts to a new character named Adakias
Left his home for the city of light
He's leaving his familiar surroundings to find something new
Disguised as a citizen his identity was hidden
He's trying to conceal his true identity from others
Within in a city that sat glistening
He's arrived in a new place that's shining and vibrant
He was eager for his new life
He's filled with anticipation for what's to come
He contemplated and hated
He has mixed feelings about leaving
Why had he waited for so long
He's wondering why he didn't take this chance sooner
To flee his home forever shaded, where the jaded are never wrong?
He's reflecting on his dark past and the negative attitudes that surrounded him there
His hope was left strong
Despite his doubts, he's still hopeful for the future
That a meaning would be found
He's hoping that this new journey will give his life meaning and purpose
That had kept him withdrawn
He's been feeling isolated and withdrawn in his previous life
His stare had caught a light
He's been drawn to something that's caught his attention
And he fell for the sight
He's fallen in love with this new and exciting place
Her name was Princess Anhura
He's met someone special, named Princess Anhura
She suffered from the same strife
He's discovered that they share a similar struggle or pain
And like Adakias, she spent most of her time
She, too, was seeking something more in life
Dreaming of a different life.
She had also been dreaming of something better, just like him
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL DUTTON, THOMAS DUTTON, THOMAS GARRETT HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind