HORSE the band's lyrics are chaotic and colorful metaphors for vocalist Nathan Winneke's life, often with humorous or abstract pop culture reference titles and bases. Winneke has referred to his style on multiple occasions as "lynchian" in reference to his favorite film director David Lynch and his obtuse narrative style.
The band had jokingly labeled themselves "Nintendocore" very early on in their career in reference to the synth sound they had adopted. Some Nintendo characters that are metaphorically referred to include Cut Man from Mega Man, although the song is spelled "Cutsman" because the song was about a childhood friend Winneke grew up with and that was how they had said the character's name in youth; "Birdo", one of the bosses from the NES game Super Mario Bros. 2, in the song "Birdo" which was actually about Winneke's distaste for eggs and traumatic experiences with his stepfather early in his life ; and the rabbit-like nemesis from The Legend of Zelda in the song "Pol's Voice" which is about Winneke's early loathing of the sound of his own voice. Similarly, the song "A Million Exploding Suns" refers to the Marvel Comics character Sentry, a schizophrenic and agoraphobic hero with this abundance of power, pertaining to Winneke's double life as a musician and as a video rental clerk.
2007's A Natural Death featured significant lyrical and musical evolution into the concepts of nature and mortality while moving slightly away from the Nintendo metaphors. The song "Murder" is inspired by the Western novel Lonesome Dove, in which a Native American named Blue Duck stalks and kills white settlers on the plains. "Hyperborea" as a reference to Robert E. Howard's original "Conan" pulp fantasy stories from the 30s, and "The Red Tornado," a DC comics character from the company of which Winneke is such an open enthusiast.
The band's line-up has continuously fluctuated in its 10 year history. In February it was announced that Chris Prophet had been fired and Jon Karel from The Number Twelve Looks Like You would be filling in on drums during Earth Tour. In July, 2008 the band stated that long-time band friend Daniel Pouliot of Bleeding Kansas had joined as the band's full time drummer. On Wednesday, December 3 2008, the band announced that Dash Arkenstone would be leaving the band soon, though he remains on good terms with the other members and has attended local shows.
The band booked its own tours starting the summer of 2002, including a 3-month tour spanning seven countries. With a carefully maintained web presence including their MP3.com and MySpace accounts, they had gained themselves a niche audience. In the summer of 2004, the HORSE the World Tour 2004 included 85 shows in 90 days, spanning 7 countries throughout North America and Europe.
Their latest album, titled Desperate Living, was released on October 6, 2009.
Black Hole
HORSE the band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i might be a baby caught in the snow, but you know.....
I WILL NOT FADE!!! I WILL NOT FADE!!!!
i ripped off my arms so long ago
all these wheels, they seem amazing
all these bombs must be ready to blow
all this time i could have tried
the letters grow long and weary and build into a maze
the dialects laid beneath drip from hands yellow stained
inside the envelope and heart of golden sand
wrapped in snakes, clenched in a fist of a mechanical hand
give up and go away INTO THE VOID
be silent and do not speak INTO THE VOID
be blind and do not gaze INTO THE VOID
be numb and do not reach INTO THE VOID
....AND IF THEY WANT
....AND IF THEY WANT
....AND IF THEY WANT
I'LL COME UNDONE.
i might be amazed like a baby but i don't have those eyes
soaring quails sing of their glories
vultures always lie
in the deep the creatures weep
begging to be fried
any change can be magnificent
if you only try
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
ill face the stars or the abyss
but not nothing at all
ill face the stars or the abyss
from nothing i can't fall
all these wheels, they seem amazing
all these bombs must be ready to blow
all this time i could have tried
all this time i did not know
Its so amazing
The opening lines of the song "I WILL NOT FADE!!!! I WILL NOT FADE!!!!!" set the tone for the rest of the piece. The singer is proclaiming his strength and determination in the face of difficulty, refusing to give up or fade away. This idea is reinforced with the metaphor of a "baby caught in the snow." Despite his vulnerability and lack of experience, the subject will not give in to the pressures of the world around him.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become somewhat abstract, with references to "wheels" and "bombs" that are "ready to blow." There is a sense of impending danger, but it is unclear what the source of the threat is. The singer talks about "ripping off his arms" and suggests that he has made sacrifices to be where he is today.
The chorus reiterates the theme of persistence and strength, with the repeated declaration of "I WILL NOT FADE!!!!" The final lines of the song suggest that the subject is prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead, looking toward the "stars or the abyss" with resolute determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I WILL NOT FADE!!!! I WILL NOT FADE!!!!!
I am determined not to disappear or weaken in the face of adversity.
i might be a baby caught in the snow, but you know.....
Although I may feel helpless like an infant in icy conditions, I am trying to convey something important.
I WILL NOT FADE!!! I WILL NOT FADE!!!!
I remain resolute in maintaining my determination and perseverance.
i ripped off my arms so long ago
I have been without the tools I need to succeed for a significant amount of time.
all these wheels, they seem amazing
The mechanisms around me inspire awe and admiration.
all these bombs must be ready to blow
There is great potential power in the world surrounding me.
all this time i could have tried
I recognize that I have had opportunities to work towards my goals.
all this time i did not know
It has taken me time to come to understand what I need to do to succeed.
the letters grow long and weary and build into a maze
Words and messages can feel overwhelming and confusing, creating a labyrinthine path to understanding.
the dialects laid beneath drip from hands yellow stained
The underlying communication reveals hidden agendas and motives.
inside the envelope and heart of golden sand
There is significance and value in the contents of the message.
wrapped in snakes, clenched in a fist of a mechanical hand
The message is held tightly and with power, but there is danger lurking within its grasp.
give up and go away INTO THE VOID
The singer is urging someone to abandon their efforts and disappear into nothingness.
be silent and do not speak INTO THE VOID
The singer is advising someone to remain silent and hidden in the void of nothingness.
be blind and do not gaze INTO THE VOID
The singer suggests that it's better to be unaware and hidden in nothingness, rather than risk facing something challenging.
be numb and do not reach INTO THE VOID
The artist is warning against attempting to engage with the nothingness, even if it seems tempting.
....AND IF THEY WANT
The artist acknowledges that there may be consequences if someone else desires something different.
....AND IF THEY WANT
The line is repeated to emphasize the uncertainty and potential consequences of another's desires.
....AND IF THEY WANT
The third repetition suggests a resigned acceptance of the situation, even if it's not ideal.
I'LL COME UNDONE.
The artist acknowledges that they may break or unravel under the pressure of someone else's desires.
i might be amazed like a baby but i don't have those eyes
The artist recognizes the beauty and wonder around them, but they don't see it with the innocence of a child.
soaring quails sing of their glories
The artist observes the grace and pride of their surroundings, even in unexpected places.
vultures always lie
The singer knows that there is deception and danger lurking within even the most unappealing aspects of their surroundings.
in the deep the creatures weep begging to be fried
The artist sees the suffering and pain of those below the surface, but also recognizes their own desire for transformation, even if it comes with pain.
any change can be magnificent if you only try
The singer believes that even the smallest of efforts towards change can result in great transformation.
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
The singer is urging action, even if it's in the face of daunting circumstances.
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
The repetition emphasizes the need for action, even if it means facing a vast unknown.
FACE THE STARS OR THE ABYSS!!!!
The third repetition is a command to take action and face the circumstances regardless.
ill face the stars or the abyss
The artist is willing to confront the unknown and unpredictable.
but not nothing at all
The singer recognizes the necessity of taking some action, even if it's not perfect or guaranteed.
ill face the stars or the abyss
The singer reiterates their willingness to face the unknown, even if it seems like a daunting challenge.
from nothing i can't fall
The artist recognizes that there is risk in action, but acknowledges that there is also potential for reward and growth.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ARKENSTONE, ENGSTROM, ISEN, KLUEPFEL, PROPHET, WINNEKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind