Hard-Fi achieved chart success with their third single, "Hard to Beat" and then followed by other successful singles such as "Cash Machine" and "Living for the Weekend", which all reached top 15 in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album Stars of CCTV was released on 4 July 2005, and although receiving critical acclaim (NME called it album of the year and was nominated for the Mercury Prize and two BRIT Awards, Best British Group and Best British Rock Act), it didn't reach #1 in the UK albums chart until six months later on 22 January 2006. It originally peaked at number 6. The band's second album, Once Upon a Time in the West, was released on 3 September 2007 and reached number 1 in its first week.
They are generally considered part of the indie rock scene, alongside bands such as Franz Ferdinand and have often been compared to a modern version of The Clash.
Hard-Fi's latest album, 'Killer Sounds' was released on 22 August 2011, and has produced 3 singles, 'Good for Nothing', 'Fire in the House' and the anthemic 'Bring It On' which also featured in the game Football Manager 2012. The band also recorded the track 'Like a Drug' for the hugely popular Twilight - Breaking Dawn film, and following demands from fans finally released it as a single on iTunes on 16 December 2011.
Give It Up
Hard-Fi Lyrics
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Changing his position, whatever to be crowned
I see the store detective, he's always follow me about
But man you've gotta get real cos there's nothing to steal let me out!
Give it up! give it out!
Wanna scream wanna shout
Well there's a bomb in new york city
Feels like we're hanging by a thread
Well do you worry and fret or just try to forget? i confess i don't now...
Give it up! give it out!
Wanna scream wanna shout
Easy come, easy go, let it roll...
Give it up! give it out!
I love you baby when you scream and shout
Just wanna lose control
Let it roll...
Give it up, give it out
You know you make me wanna scream and shout
Singing hey la la...
You've got to get it, you get to me...
Give it up! give it out!
I love you baby when you scream and shout
Wanna feel you, in my soul...
Let it roll...
Give it up! give it out!
Wanna scream wanna shout
Easy come, easy go, let it roll...
Give it up! give it out!
I love you baby when you scream and shout
Before you lose control
Let it roll...
Give it up, give it out
The lyrics to Hard-Fi's song Give it Up are about living life to the fullest and letting go of inhibitions. The song starts with a metaphor comparing politicians to people always playing to the crowd and changing their position in order to gain power or popularity. The chorus repeats the phrase "give it up, give it out," encouraging listeners to let go and scream and shout. The verse then switches gears to describe the feeling of being followed by a store detective, but recognizing that there's nothing to steal and wanting to be let out.
The second half of the song delves deeper into the idea of living life fully, regardless of the circumstances. The lyrics mention a bomb in New York City, highlighting the danger and uncertainty of life, but the singer confesses to not worrying about it and instead suggests forgetting it and enjoying the moment. The chorus returns with the same message of letting go and screaming and shouting, before concluding with another call to give it up and give it out.
Overall, the song is about embracing life and taking risks, enjoying the present moment and not worrying about the future. It encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and scream and shout in order to truly live.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like a politician, always playing to the crowd
Much like a politician, the subject is always trying to appeal to others.
Changing his position, whatever to be crowned
The subject is willing to alter their stance on issues, solely to win the approval of others.
I see the store detective, he's always follow me about
The store detective continually monitors the subject.
But man you've gotta get real cos there's nothing to steal let me out!
The subject is willing to be watched, but the detector is wasting time, as they have no intention of stealing.
Give it up! give it out! Wanna scream wanna shout Easy come, easy go, let it roll...
Live life to the fullest with abandon.
Well there's a bomb in new york city Feels like we're hanging by a thread
Life feels incredibly fragile and uncertain.
Well do you worry and fret or just try to forget? i confess i don't now...
The subject contemplates whether it is better to focus on worries or let them go, revealing their tendency to ignore stress.
I love you baby when you scream and shout Just wanna lose control Let it roll...
The subject enjoys seeing their loved one express themselves passionately and encourages them to do so.
You've got to get it, you get to me...
Others must first impress the subject before having any impact on them.
Wanna feel you, in my soul... Let it roll...
The subject desires a deep, emotional connection with their significant other and is open to letting go of control.
Before you lose control Let it roll... Give it up, give it out
It is better to surrender and embrace life than to resist it and remain stagnant.
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.