Andy joined the band after the release of Midnight Organ Fight, allowing them to play many songs from the album they would previously have struggled to fill out instrumentally. Gordon joined the band in November 2009 and is a former member of Make Model. He left the band in 2014.
The origins of the band are rooted in 2003, when Scott began playing solo shows under the name Frightened Rabbit, mostly in support of fellow art-schoolers Shitdisco. Recordings were made on a tascam 4-track recorder, with Scott playing all the instruments (some more proficiently than others). Though looser, sparser, and certainly more lo-fi in terms of production values, their early demos still attest to a burgeoning talent with a defined personality and a now familiar penchant for being able to create widely appreciated pop songs.
In 2004 Scott’s brother Grant moved to Glasgow, Scotland, contributing drums to certain recorded tracks, and playing live. Frightened Rabbit became louder and better. They burnt 50 copies of their subsequent demo, and sent some out to labels, resulting in three tracks being hosted on the FatCat MP3/demo website, and marking the beginning of a wonderful relationship. In 2006, Billy joined the band playing primarily second guitar, making Frightened Rabbit in the band’s own words, a wee bit better and louder still. That February they went into The Diving Bell Lounge studio with Glasgow based producer Marcus Mackay to record some songs over the course of a week. The intention was to record a better quality demo, but the resultant recordings ended up as the bands debut LP Sing The Greys, of which 1000 copies were pressed and released that May on home grown label Hits The Fan.
An incredibly accomplished live outfit (seemingly without any effort whatsoever), further live dates followed into 2007, including a brief but successful US jaunt, culminating in a sold-out show at The Mercury Lounge in NYC, before the album was even available in the US. After an intense spate of writing, rehearsing, recording, and remixing, and of course playing more live shows, ‘Sing The Greys’ was remastered by Alan Douches, and re-released in significantly revamped form by FatCat Autumn 2007, along with debut single ‘Be Less Rude’. Rounding off the year with the incredible 'It's Christmas So We'll Stop' single.
In April 2008, the band released their second full length, "The Midnight Organ Fight", a progression in terms of songwriting, sonic depth, and as a fully realised entity. Recorded by Peter Katis (Mercury Rev, Interpol) over the space of two weeks, and mixed over the ensuing fortnight, ‘Midnight Organ Fight’ was conceived and realised in a much shorter time span than its predecessor, with the intention of creating a more coherent, ‘pop’ sounding album. Yet although musically more immediate, vitally, the band have not forsaken the personality or passion of any of their earlier recordings.
In July 2008, a live rendition of ‘Midnight Organ Fight’ was recorded in Glasgow, and mixed by Mice Parade’s Adam Pierce, entitled 'Liver! Lung! Fr!' The stripped-down instrumentation brings singer Scott Hutchison’s vocal delivery - now wrenching, now soaring - to the fore, showcasing the emotive lyrics and memorable melodies that have earned the band their passionate following. This album was released in the United States in late 2008, and a world release date to followed in March 2009.
The band's third album "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" was released in early 2010. The fourth album “Pedestrian Verse” was released in 2013, while their fifth and final album “Painting of a Panic Attack” was released in 2016.
The Woodpile
Frightened Rabbit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Removed from the red meat market
I look for a fire door
An escape from the drums and barking
Bereft of all social charms
I'm struck dumb by the hand of fear
I've fallen into the corner's arms
Same way that I've done for years
I'm trapped in a collapsing building
Come find me now, we'll hideout
We'll speak in our secret tongues
Will you come back to my corner? Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner? A lit torch to the woodpile high
Dead wood waits to ignite
There's no spark on a dampened floor
A snapped limb in an unlit fire
Won't you come and break down this door?
I'm trapped in an abandoned building,
Come find me now, we'll hideout
We'll speak in our secret tongues
Will you come back to my corner? Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten corner? A lit torch to the woodpile high
Will you come back to my corner? Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner? A lit torch to the woodpile high
Will you come back to my corner? Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner? A lit torch to the woodpile
Come find me now, we'll hideout, we'll speak in our secret tongues
In "The Woodpile," Frightened Rabbit's lead singer Scott Hutchison is describing a feeling of isolation, anxiety, and a desperate search for escape. The song's opening lines suggest he is trying to get away from the frenzied and overwhelming nature of modern society ("far from the electric floor" and "removed from the red meat market"). He is looking for a "fire door" or some other way out of the chaos, but he can't seem to escape the "drums and barking." Hutchison goes on to describe himself as "bereft of all social charms," which implies that he feels alienated and disconnected from others.
The chorus of the song consists of a plea to someone (presumably a friend or lover) to come to his rescue, to "brighten my corner" and be a "lit torch to the woodpile high." The metaphor of the "woodpile" is an interesting one, as it suggests both an abundance of fuel (potential for warmth and light) as well as a certain danger (the possibility of a raging inferno if not tended carefully). The repeated refrain of "come back to my corner" emphasizes the idea of the singer being trapped, even as he longs for connection and companionship.
Overall, "The Woodpile" is a poignant and relatable song about the struggle to find connection and meaning in a chaotic world. The lyrics suggest a sense of helplessness and isolation that many people can identify with, while also offering a glimmer of hope that things can get better if we can find someone to share the journey with.
Line by Line Meaning
Far from the electric floor
I am distant from the lively atmosphere and energy of the crowd
Removed from the red meat market
I am isolated from the chaos and frenzy of the industry
I look for a fire door
I seek an escape, a way out from the overwhelming situation
An escape from the drums and barking
I need to flee from the overwhelming noise and commotion
Bereft of all social charms
I am without any social skills or charm
I'm struck dumb by the hand of fear
I am so terrified that I am unable to speak
I've fallen into the corner's arms
I have resorted to the same coping mechanism I have been using for years
Same way that I've done for years
I have been stuck in this pattern of seeking refuge for a long time
Dead wood waits to ignite
There is potential for a raging fire but it needs a spark
There's no spark on a dampened floor
The conditions are not favorable for a fire to start
A snapped limb in an unlit fire
Without a flame, even the best fuel is useless
Won't you come and break down this door?
Will you help me break out of this situation and find a way to escape?
Will you come back to my corner? Spent too long alone tonight
I am lonely and in need of someone to come to my aid
Would you come and brighten my corner? A lit torch to the woodpile high
Can you bring light into my dark space and help me ignite a new beginning?
Come find me now, we'll hideout, we'll speak in our secret tongues
Let's meet up and take refuge in a safe place where we can communicate in a private way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDY MONAGHAN, DAVID WILLIAM LAWRENCE KENNEDY, GRANT DAVID HUTCHISON, RUSSELL GORDON SKENE, SCOTT JOHN HUTCHISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ØrPhÄn MüRpHy
One of my favourite bands. I still find people who haven't heard of them and it's great to know they're about to fall in love.
When people like Scott and Flint die by their own hand, it affects me because I have permanent scars from my own attempt about 17 years ago. I feel them in a kindred way. Like Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell. Robin Williams.
It's interesting how the assholes of the world don't seem to top themselves, because, probably, they don't have the capacity to feel enough to hurt that much.
Good hearts know deep pain.
In my opinion, suicide is not as selfish in the way people constantly say it is... it germinates from a personal and irreversible damage caused by a world that has lost something very, very important.
Humanity.
Peace upon them.
_breseph
lyricsFar from the electric floor
Removed from the red meat market
I look for a fire door
An escape from the drums and barking
Bereft of all social charms
I'm struck dumb by the hand of fear
I've fallen into the corner's arms
Same way that I've done for years
I'm trapped in a collapsing building
Come find me now, we'll hideout
We'll speak in our secret tongues
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile high
Dead wood waits to ignite
There's no spark on a dampened floor
A snapped limb in an unlit fire
Won't you come and break down this door?
I'm trapped in an abandoned building
Come find me now, we'll hideout
We'll speak in our secret tongues
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile high
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile high
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come and brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile
Come find me now, we'll hideout
We'll speak in our secret tongues
kevin Jackman
So, I'm trying to find the words that describe what this song means to me
Sometimes, I try to be far too eloquent for I'm able so forgive me if my feelings about this song come across as less than intelligent.
I discovered this band in 2013 while listening to an inde radio station in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.
The first track I heard was "State Hospital".
It doesn't happen often but I was hooked the first time I heard that song.
A good friend of mine was a big fan of that inde station and he turned me onto it.
I told him about this band called "Frightened Rabbit " and I wanted to know more .
Out of the goodness of his person( because that's who he was) he burned me the Pedestrian Verse CD.
I fell in love with it immediately.
On a side note, my wife to this day, whom I started dating at the sane time I discovered Frightened Rabbit, is still with me.
I've listened to this record time and time again and it never gets old.
Which brings me to my point.
Every time I hear " The Woodpile" I picture a younger, more naive version of myself who in social situations was awkward and reclusive.
I've always pictured myself ( or someone like me) engaged in a high school prom or a nightclub where they want to be social but can't because they're "bereft of all social charms and struck dumb by the hand of fear".
This was me for a large portion of my adult life and I always wanted someone to to come back to my corner.
The symbolism of " a lit torch to the woodpile" is a desire to just burn the whole f...... thing down and just be, away from the societal norms that we're conditioned to accept.
oedipa maas
[Verse 1]
Far from the electric floor
Removed from the red meat market
I look for a fire door
An escape from the drums and barking
Bereft of all social charms
Struck dumb by the hand of fear
I fall into the corner's arms
The same way that I've done for years
[Chorus]
I'm trapped in a collapsing building
Come find me now, where I hide and
We'll speak in our secret tongues
So will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile (aye)
[Verse 2]
Dead wood waits to ignite
There's no spark on a dampened floor
A snapped limb in an unlit pyre
Won't you come and break down this door?
[Chorus]
I'm trapped in an abandoned building
Come find me now, where I hide and
We'll speak in our secret tongues
So will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile (aye)
[Chorus]
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile (aye)
Will you come back to my corner?
Spent too long alone tonight
Would you come brighten my corner?
A lit torch to the woodpile
Come find me now, where I hide and
We'll speak in our secret tongues
thatonetallchick
One day while living on hastings vancouver listening to the radio, i was contemplating about committing suicide and i hear cbc do a story about this band because of the singer. It gave me the strength to continue living dispite being an addict. Im now clean and i wish i could let scott know that his lyrics, his passion, helped me in my darkest hour. Thank you scott.
David Goliath
Many thanks for sharing...
Farm City Pets Australia
What a beautiful comment, all the best to you
ØrPhÄn MüRpHy
From his death came your life.
Peter Vincent
I'm an addict in recovery. Nearly 2 years clean. FR's music helps me nearly every day. Life is actually harder some days without drugs, but infinitely better. Today I'm living an honest, connected life. Good luck to you 🙏❤️😎
Sean Manley
right on !!! keep shining!!! and if no one has told you...I AM PROUD OF YOU !!!
Nate The Mate
this is the song I listen to when I feel like I can't last another second on this earth. thank you for your amazing music Scott.
Hä?
Checked this song out due to you, your music choice is always good Nate. Thanks
manuel sarellano
@Hä? )pi
Dr Ghostboy
🎭