Gomez completed an inaugural U.S. tour opening for Eagle-Eye Cherry in October 1998, while the press still offered praise (Spin magazine called Bring It On "a damn beautiful album," giving it an eight out of ten rating). Liquid Skin followed one year later and went platinum in England, and the rarities/B-sides compilation Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline appeared in 2000. A third studio album, In Our Gun, was released in spring 2002. Another hiatus saw Ian Ball relocating to Los Angeles while still working with the band at its new studio in Portslade, England. The dozens of tracks recorded during this time were whittled down and fashioned into Split the Difference, released in May of 2004. By that time, Hut, the group's original label, had gone under, leaving Gomez signed to Virgin (Hut's distributor). Despite all the critical acclaim, the band's album sales never seemed to match Virgin's expectations, and the two sides parted ways later that year.
In 2005, Gomez signed with ATO Records and released Out West, the group's first live album. How We Operate arrived in May 2006, and the band rounded out the year by assembling a retrospective collection of singles, rarities, and unreleased tracks entitled Five Men in a Hut: Singles 1998-2004. Gomez's members were spread across two continents by this point, leading to a three-year gap between How We Operate and the band's sixth studio release, A New Tide, parts of which were recorded individually by the various bandmates and then merged online. Ben Ottewell took some time after its release to launch a solo career, with 2011's Shapes & Shadows marking his first major release outside of the band. Months later, the band released another studio album, Whatever's on Your Mind, with Phantom Planet's Sam Farrar sharing production duties with the bandmates themselves.
Biography by Greg Prato
[silence]
Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to be here when you could be somewhere else
So why'd I sit on my hands like a book on a shelf
Where only dust is falling?
Everyone 'round here lives in silence
If I had something to say I'd say what I mean
How'd you lose all your words? I swear it's obscene, I curse
Yeah, only the fools ignore us
Everyone 'round here lives in silence
I could wait all my life for someone to think
I can't open your eyes but I can make you blink at me
So please don't try to be nice, don't need your advice
Please leave me to die of boredom
Everyone 'round here lives in silence
Silence
They wait for the end
Silence
They bow and they bend
Silence
Their homes they defend
Silence
In the song "Silence" by Gomez, the artist describes feeling trapped in their own thoughts and inability to articulate their true feelings. The imagery of a book on a shelf covered in dust, which implies a lack of use or neglect, is used to convey how the artist is not taking advantage of their opportunities to communicate. They express a desire to break free from this stagnant state, lamenting the fact that everyone around them seems to be living in silence as well. The artist seems frustrated with the lack of communication happening in their community, comparing those who ignore them to the "fools" who fail to see the value in speaking up.
The second verse of the song shows further frustration as the artist tries to prompt someone to open up and talk to them. They are confused by the other person's inability to communicate, saying that it feels obscene for them to have lost their ability to speak. The artist seems to want to shake the person out of their silence, urging them to blink and acknowledge them in some way. However, they don't need niceties or advice, and would rather be left alone than continue living in a state of boredom and isolation.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder of the power of communication and the ways in which silence can hinder growth and connection. Through vivid imagery and emotional lyrics, the artist portrays the feelings of frustration and isolation that can come from feeling trapped in one's own mind.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been caught in a trap I set for myself
I am trapped in a situation that I created for myself.
I don't want to be here when you could be somewhere else
I feel guilty for wasting your time by being here when you could be doing something else.
So why'd I sit on my hands like a book on a shelf
I don't understand why I didn't take action when I had the chance.
Where only dust is falling?
Everything is stagnant and lifeless.
Everyone 'round here lives in silence
People around here are not speaking up or taking action.
If I had something to say I'd say what I mean
I would speak honestly and directly if I had a message to convey.
How'd you lose all your words? I swear it's obscene, I curse
I can't comprehend how you are unable to express yourself, and it frustrates me.
How'd you look at yourself as the mirror turns green?
A green mirror represents envy, and I wonder how you can be envious of yourself in this situation.
Yeah, only the fools ignore us
People who ignore us are foolish.
I could wait all my life for someone to think
I could wait forever for someone to understand my perspective and thoughts.
I can't open your eyes but I can make you blink at me
I can only try to get your attention, but I cannot force you to see things from my point of view.
So please don't try to be nice, don't need your advice
I don't want your false niceties or your advice that I didn't ask for.
Please leave me to die of boredom
I would rather suffer from boredom than deal with someone who isn't genuine.
Silence
A lack of sound or dialogue.
They wait for the end
People are waiting for the end of something, perhaps a difficult situation or a relationship.
They bow and they bend
People are conforming and submitting to authority or societal expectations.
Their homes they defend
People are fiercely protective of their comfort zones and resist change or disruption.
Silence
A pervasive theme in this song that refers to a quiet, unresponsive, and inactive attitude towards life.
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Around the World with Ari
This is probably my favorite Vlog that you guys have done honestly
Hallieās cheer she did so great out there good job Hallie
I never seen the Taylor swift movie and I want to so bad and I never went to the concert which I want to go so bad
I love how Livvy and Hallie bond together itās so cute and their outfits are so cute the cute shimmery skirts and the cute earrings and the cute makeup and the glitter on the face and Hallieās jacket is so cute in the pictures and there smiles are so cute š„° and I love all of the jewelry that they had
I also love Taylor swift I am a fan of her I am a swifty and my favorite songs are
Enchanted
You belong with me
Our song
Love story
Cruel summer
Style
Lavender haze
Is it over
Anti hero
Shake it off
I knew you were trouble
22
Fearless
Never grow up
We are never getting back together
Delicate
Ready for it
August
Cardigan
The best day
Mila Schuster
1:07: šŗ A young girl performs at her first football game and shows off her cheerleading skills.
3:55: š The video features a conversation between two children about their day at school and their interests.
6:36: š Two girls participate in a cheerleading competition and have a great time.
13:39: šµ Two friends getting ready for a Taylor Swift concert, discussing their outfits and makeup.
17:19: š¶ A secret concert with a big group of friends, dancing to the songs and reminiscing about past concerts.
Recapped using TammyAI
Niyah moody
Hi
Uni Girl
Huh
Daphne Sun
What an exciting opportunity for Hallie!
Excited to see Livvy try out for her elementary school (4th grade) cheer team next year!
Harry Ammons
Congratulations Hallie on your cheerleading and it warms my heart to see Livvy and Hallie bonding it looks like they did enjoy Taylor Swift love you Gomez family ā¤
Christian M.
Way to go Hallie! šā¤ I can't wait to see Livvy try out next year
Addyson Aldrich
Raise your hand šāāļø if you love the Gomez fam!ā¤
Sharlotte and Elizabeth
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Michaela Baron
Congratulations Livvy on gifted classesššššš
Aldc.Jedits
Go Hallie! She was amazing! Iām so happy that they got that opportunity!!!