Gangs of Ballet is a Durban-based band comprising of four musicians and fri… Read Full Bio ↴Gangs of Ballet is a Durban-based band comprising of four musicians and friends. Each accomplished musicians in their own rights, the band's members - Brad Klynsmith (Vocals /Electric Guitar), Jonathan Rich (Keyboard/Synth), Hardus de Beer (Bass Guitar) and Josh Klynsmith (Drums) - have combined their various individual tastes and styles to create a sound that is captivatingly fresh.

Their music, which boasts a winning combination of their vibrant energy and a host of musically intriguing melodies, cannot be pinned down to any specific genre but rather experiments with an eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, electronic and dance. In any context, Gangs of Ballet's audiences are encouraged to experience the band's music in ways that are dually intuitive and physical as their music seeks to stimulate the musically-minded while also providing those merely seeking a good time with a good reason to dance.

Originally formed as a side-project, Gangs of Ballet came into official existence at its debut gig opening for aKing in July of 2011. Gangs of Ballet is currently working on the release of their EP and is awaiting the launch of their first music video early this year. Their first single, 'Breaking the Silence', was released in September of 2011 and by early November it had entered into the 5fm Top 40 chart. The single has since continued to climb its way up the chart and after just 10 weeks on the chart, 'Breaking the Silence' entered the new year at 7th place and with a spot on 5fm's list of the Top 100 Hottest Hits of 2011.

While Gangs of Ballet may be new on the music scene, its members are far from it. With all members having been involved in bands, side projects and studio recordings in the past, and with three of the four members having pursued music at tertiary level, the Gangs of Ballet boys are no strangers to the stage or recording studio. With their combined wealth of talent, experience and creativity, these four Durbanites hope to make a quality contribution to South Africa's growing music scene and it would appear that they are already well on their way to their way to doing just that.

[From MySpace page]

House And Money
Gangs Of Ballet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I left my old life
Dead on the bedroom floor
I stuck my feet out
Out on to distant shores

Hmm I'm so tired of hearing my own voice
Wandering through these halls
Oo I need a new home warmer than

Concrete floors

I gave up on my house and my money
I gave up on the things I used to love
Life without you isn't happy
I'd rather be the fool that fell in love

Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh
Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh

You made me do it
Pushed me out that door
Ooh and I'm a fool I'm a fool
With a taste for more!

I am a blind man begging
At a poor man's boat
I am a footprint
Left by a lonely soul

Oh when I see you
I feel like myself

I gave up on my house and my money
I gave up on the things I used to love
Life without you isn't happy
I'd rather be the fool that fell in love

This could be the start
Just before the end
This is our judge now
Before we get older
And living in a job
watching from afar
With you we go

Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh
Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh

I gave up on my house and my money
I gave up on the things I used to love
Life without you isn't happy
I'd rather be the fool that fell in love

I gave up on my house and my money
I gave up on the things I used to love
Life without you isn't happy
I'd rather be the fool that fell in love

Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh
Uh oh oh uh oh oh oh

Overall Meaning

The opening lines reflect the singer's decision to leave behind their old life and start anew somewhere else. They are captivated by the allure of "distant shores," and seem to be running away from something that they cannot or do not wish to confront. The second verse hints at this - the singer has grown tired of their own voice and seeks a new environment that can provide them with some sort of warmth. They have given up on their house and money and have a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. While they acknowledge that life without the person they love may not necessarily be happy, they are willing to take the risk of falling in love once more.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's commitment to this new lifestyle. They have given up on their old ways and material possessions, finding love and happiness in a simpler life. They view the decision to pursue love over money as a wise one, and find fulfillment in the freedom that it brings. The bridge describes their sense of vulnerability - they feel like a blind man begging at a poor man's boat or a lonely soul leaving footsteps behind. However, the sight of their loved one makes them feel whole again and gives them the courage to face life head-on.

Line by Line Meaning

I left my old life
I abandoned my past and the things that defined me

Dead on the bedroom floor
I left my old life behind without looking back

I stuck my feet out
I took a leap of faith

Out on to distant shores
I left my previous environment and ventured into the unknown

Hmm I'm so tired of hearing my own voice
I'm exhausted from talking about my problems without fixing them

Wandering through these halls
I feel lost and alone in my surroundings

Oo I need a new home warmer than
I long for a place of comfort and safety

Concrete floors
I'm tired of the hardness and coldness of the world

I gave up on my house and my money
I let go of my material possessions and the security they brought

I gave up on the things I used to love
I gave up on hobbies and interests that no longer brought me joy

Life without you isn't happy
I need someone in my life to feel complete and fulfilled

I'd rather be the fool that fell in love
I'm willing to take risks and potentially embarrass myself for the chance at love

You made me do it
You pushed me out of my comfort zone and into action

Pushed me out that door
You urged me to take a chance and leave my old life behind

Ooh and I'm a fool I'm a fool
I acknowledge my potential for being naive or foolish

With a taste for more!
I'm hungry for new experiences and growth

I am a blind man begging
I'm at a disadvantage and in need of help

At a poor man's boat
I'm approaching someone who cannot give me what I need

I am a footprint
I'm leaving my mark, but feel incomplete

Left by a lonely soul
I'm experiencing isolation and longing for connection

Oh when I see you
You bring me happiness and comfort

I feel like myself
I feel complete and true to my identity

This could be the start
There's potential for new possibilities

Just before the end
Things are uncertain and could soon change

This is our judge now
We must make decisions that will impact our future

Before we get older
We should take action before time runs out

And living in a job
We don't want to merely exist in the daily grind

Watching from afar
We don't want to miss out on opportunities for happiness

With you we go
Together we're stronger and capable of achieving our dreams

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DE BEER QUINTIN HARDUS, BRADLEY IAN KLYNSMITH, KLYNSMITH JOSHUA SCOTT, RICH JONATHAN KYLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS