The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
You`re The Reason I`m Leaving
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Numbs our bones, numbs our all
As we sit on skinny hands
Nothing to say, nothing at all
I don't know you and I don't want to
You're so awkward just like me
But I don't care
You're the reason I'm leaving
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
I'd no idea that in four years
I'd be hanging from a beam
Behind the door of number ten
Singing "well, fare thee well"
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
I am leaving
Yes, I leave it all to you
You're the reason I'm leaving
You're the reason I'm leaving
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
I'm the reason you're leaving
You're the reason I'm leaving
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
As we ride along under an optimistic sun
The radio sings that "Everybody" song by REM
And here I am fighting fighting
Yes I'm fighting not to cry
And that's another reason
Why I ought to hate you like I do
Like I do, oh like I do
You're the reason I'm leaving (leaving alone)
You're the reason I'm leaving (leaving alone)
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
I'm the reason you're leaving (leaving alone)
You are the reason you're leaving (leaving alone)
If we're leaving, we don't stop living you know
The lyrics of Franz Ferdinand's song, "You're the Reason I'm Leaving," convey a sense of restlessness, dissatisfaction and tension. The opening lines, "Some granite wall numbs our bones, numbs our all," suggest a sense of emotional numbness and lack of connection. The following lines, "As we sit on skinny hands, nothing to say, nothing at all," reinforce this sense of lack of communication and emotional distance.
The chorus, "You're the reason I'm leaving, and by leaving we don't stop living you know," highlights the idea that leaving a situation or a relationship might be necessary for growth and moving forward in life. Despite the pain of leaving, the hope is that it will lead to a better life.
The third stanza, "I'd no idea that in four years I'd be hanging from a beam, behind the door of number ten, singing 'well, fare thee well,'" introduces a darker tone to the song. The lyrics suggest a possible suicide or a tragic end, which adds a layer of complexity and depth to the song.
Overall, "You're the Reason I'm Leaving" is a powerful song that explores the complexities of relationships and the impact that one person can have on another's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Some granite wall
We're feeling numb and disconnected
Numbs our bones, numbs our all
This feeling is pervasive and affecting everything
As we sit on skinny hands
We're at a loss for what to do
Nothing to say, nothing at all
Our relationship is empty and stale
I don't know you and I don't want to
I don't want this to continue
You're so awkward just like me
We're both unhappy and uncomfortable
But I don't care
I'm willing to move on and leave this behind
You're the reason I'm leaving
You're the cause of our misery and the reason I'm ending things
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
Breaking up doesn't mean life stops or that there's no hope for moving on
I'd no idea that in four years
I couldn't have predicted myself ending it all after four years due to this feeling
I'd be hanging from a beam
Being suicidal was not expected
Behind the door of number ten
The specific location doesn't matter
Singing 'well, fare thee well'
I'm at peace with the decision and ready to move on
Fare thee well
I'm saying goodbye
Fare thee well
I'm saying goodbye
I am leaving
I'm ending things for good
Yes, I leave it all to you
You can have everything else
I'm the reason you're leaving
I know I'm creating unhappiness and making you leave
You're the reason I'm leaving
At the same time, you're the cause of my unhappiness and my reason for leaving
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
Regardless of who's responsible, we can move on and live our lives
As we ride along under an optimistic sun
In happier times, we were hopeful and positive
The radio sings that 'Everybody' song by REM
We were listening to a popular, happy song in the moment
And here I am fighting fighting
Now, I'm struggling and fighting with my emotions
Yes I'm fighting not to cry
Trying to hold back tears
And that's another reason
You're causing me pain and heartache
Why I ought to hate you like I do
I have strong feelings against you for causing so much pain
Like I do, oh like I do
I can't help but feel this way
You're the reason I'm leaving (leaving alone)
You're the reason I'm leaving and going forward on my own
You're the reason I'm leaving (leaving alone)
You're the reason I'm leaving and going forward on my own
And by leaving, we don't stop living you know
Breaking up doesn't mean life stops or that there's no hope for moving on
I'm the reason you're leaving (leaving alone)
Knowing my role and acknowledging the outcome
You are the reason you're leaving (leaving alone)
Recognizing the other person's choice
If we're leaving, we don't stop living you know
Making it clear that this is a separate, but necessary choice
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind