Within a year’s time, Halifax found itself among the rookie bands on the 2004 Warped Tour. By early 2005, after bowling them over Drive-Thru founders Richard Reines and Stefanie Reines during a New Jersey gig with The Early November, the label tweaked and reissued Reference. Halifax continued touring and building its fanbase while concocting what would become The Inevitability of a Strange World, a collection of riff-heavy arena rock anthems that blend post-punk hardcore with hard rock influences, a la Mötley Crüe.
The band took a three year break which was everything but a holiday: it was “a trial in life that gave us one ultimatum: stand up and fight for what we believe in or break up. 90% of bands fail, we like to think we're in the other 10%" explains Tommy. “Not to mention how much we have matured in the last 3 years as musicians and songwriters, let alone adults. We planted our feet firmly on the ground when we made this commitment to music and it’s going to take a lot more than faulty indie labels, lawsuits, and debt to sniper us out. We're not a band that backs down when faced with barriers. We have more respect for our fans and ourselves than to let anything get in the way or stop us from being artists.”
Wielding a melodic guitar driven sound, the quartet is back with their new EP Align. Halifax shows off their newly polished song-craftsmanship while still staying true to their musical influences, as they combine pop sensibility with their unmistakable riff rock and pounding rhythms. The band even shows off their penchant for reggae music in "Snake Slide", and "No Saturation".
Under Fire
Halifax Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm a fix (Baby I'm a mess)
A diagnosis you'll forget
Call me baby call me crazy, yeah yeah yeah
Take these pills everyday to kill your apathy for living
Yeah for living, yeah yeah
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
We are the voices of an underground choir
Save your breath you won't be heard
I found the villain in your bed
A blanket full of lust (a pillow you can trust)
So is this what you call love?
Call me crazy, listen baby, yeah yeah yeah
Stop sniffing all your cocaine
I'll be your drug for the pain
For all the pain, yeah yeah
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
(These are) These are my eyes finding you in the dark
We are the voices of an underground choir
Save your breath you won't be heard
And when you're falling for the stories I said and believe in
Nothing but the truth we wrote on the ceiling
Break out all your bullets it won't be enough for
Stopping all your jail mates from turning into
People on the sun reaching for a loaded gun for you
They will scream your name before I do
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
(These are) These are my eyes finding you in the dark
We are the voices of an underground choir
We are the voices of an underground choir
We are the voices of an underground choir
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
(These are) These are my eyes finding you in the dark
We are the voices of an underground choir
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
(These are) These are my eyes finding you in the dark
We are the voices of an underground choir
Save your breath you won't be heard
The song "Under Fire" by Halifax is a commentary on the emotional turmoil and destructive relationships that many people experience. The singer takes on the persona of a "doctor of defense" who is trying to fix the mess that the subject of the song has made of their life. The lyrics suggest that the subject is struggling with drug addiction, apathy towards life, and a broken relationship.
The chorus repeats the line "This is the sound of your body under fire, these are my eyes finding you in the dark," which implies that the subject is in a state of crisis and is being watched or monitored. The second verse describes the discovery of infidelity by the subject's partner and the subsequent pain and confusion that it causes. The doctor offers himself as a replacement for the drugs and destructive behavior that the subject has been indulging in, but it's unclear whether he is sincere or simply taking advantage of the situation.
The final verse takes a darker turn, with references to bullets, jail mates, and people on the sun reaching for a loaded gun. The singer warns that the subject's reckless behavior will ultimately lead to their downfall, and that even those who care about them won't be able to save them. The repeated phrase "We are the voices of an underground choir" suggests that the singer is part of a larger community of people who have experienced similar struggles and are trying to offer support and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a doctor of defense
Refer to me as someone who protects others.
Maybe I'm a fix (Baby I'm a mess)
Maybe I can solve the problems you have, even if I am a mess myself.
A diagnosis you'll forget
You will forget the diagnosis I give you.
Call me baby call me crazy, yeah yeah yeah
You can use any nickname to refer to me, as long as you utilize me to help keep the problems at bay.
Take these pills everyday to kill your apathy for living
Consume pills to prevent you from feeling apathetic about living every day.
Yeah for living, yeah yeah
Yes, it is for living.
(This is) This is the sound of your body under fire
The sound produced by your distress signals within your body that needs immediate action.
(These are) These are my eyes finding you in the dark
I am here to observe you closely and help you in moments of darkness.
We are the voices of an underground choir
We are a group that will perform to the best of our abilities to spread positivity within areas of subjugation.
Save your breath you won't be heard
Don't waste your time speaking out, as your voice will not be heard in this environment.
I found the villain in your bed
I have discovered the source of your problems very close to you.
A blanket full of lust (a pillow you can trust)
A bed that signifies love, trust and secrecy.
So is this what you call love?
Is this your idea of love?
Call me crazy, listen baby, yeah yeah yeah
Use any name for me, but listen to what I have to say.
Stop sniffing all your cocaine
Stop engaging in unhealthy habits.
I'll be your drug for the pain
I will be a replacement that can help you cope with pain.
For all the pain, yeah yeah
For all the pain that you feel.
And when you're falling for the stories I said and believe in
When you are falling for the false stories that I have told you and believed in.
Nothing but the truth we wrote on the ceiling
The only truth is what we wrote on the top of the ceiling.
Break out all your bullets it won't be enough for
Removing all ammunition will not fix the problem.
Stopping all your jail mates from turning into
Preventing your cellmates from turning into something worse.
People on the sun reaching for a loaded gun for you
People far away from you trying to harm you badly.
They will scream your name before I do
They will announce your name before I do.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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