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.
I Shall Overcome
Hard-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun is shining, don't think that it shine for me
I look around, nothing seems to have changed
This dirty town, it hasn't somehow rearranged
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down
"Just give it up", they say, "We just don't want you around
Not one of us and we don't like to share"
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone"
I shall overcome
Through my tears, I try to see your face
But doubt and fear come calling
And crowd my head with words of hate
I scream out, "Please, don't leave me hear alone"
Down on my knees, without you, without hope
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground"
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
Just in time you call my name
Pull myself up to fight again, I'll never let you down
Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
The lyrics to Hard-Fi's "I Shall Overcome" speak to the experience of facing adversity, but finding the strength to keep going with the support of someone who believes in you. The song opens with the singer wondering what the new day holds, feeling like he's in the same dirty town without hope or change. Despite getting knocked down by those who want to keep him out, he finds the drive to fight back, swearing to get even. In the chorus, he hears the voice of someone who believes in him, offering support and telling him to hold on as the plans against him come undone.
The second verse speaks to doubt and fear creeping in, prompting the singer to call out for the voice that gives him hope. He's on his knees, feeling alone and desperate, but the support he receives is enough to pull him back up and keep fighting. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing that the plans against the singer will come undone and he will ultimately overcome.
"I Shall Overcome" was released on Hard-Fi's 2005 debut album, "Stars of CCTV". The album was a critical and commercial success in the UK, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and spawning hit singles including "Cash Machine" and "Hard to Beat". The song's title and theme are a reference to the civil rights anthem of the same name, which has been performed by artists including Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bruce Springsteen.
Line by Line Meaning
New day dawning, I wonder what it holds for me
The singer is pondering what the new day will bring for them.
Sun is shining, don't think that it shine for me
Despite the sun shining, the singer feels that it does not shine specifically for them.
I look around, nothing seems to have changed
The singer notes that despite it being a new day, everything remains the same.
This dirty town, it hasn't somehow rearranged
The town is still rundown and dirty, as if it has not improved or changed at all.
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down
Whenever the artist tries to get up, life knocks them back down.
"Just give it up", they say, "We just don't want you around
People in the singer's life are urging them to give up and leave, as they are not wanted.
Not one of us and we don't like to share
The people around the singer see them as different and do not like to share their space or resources.
Mouthful of dust, but I'll get even I swear
Despite being knocked down, the artist vows to get revenge and fight back.
I hear your voice, call my name
The artist hears someone calling their name, which serves as a call to action.
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
The artist's heart feels heavy and overwhelmed, as if there is a metaphorical rain pouring within.
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
The situation is not easy or pleasant for the singer.
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
The person calling out to the artist urges them to hold on and trust that things will get better.
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone"
The singer is reassured that any plans laid against them will ultimately fail.
I shall overcome
The singer declares that they will overcome their struggles.
Through my tears, I try to see your face
The singer is crying and struggling to focus on the person calling out to them.
But doubt and fear come calling
The artist is beset by doubt and fear, which are difficult to overcome.
And crowd my head with words of hate
Negative thoughts and words fill the artist's mind.
I scream out, "Please, don't leave me hear alone"
The singer is afraid of being abandoned and pleads with the person calling out to them to stay with them.
Down on my knees, without you, without hope
Without the person calling out to them, the singer feels hopeless and helpless.
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground
The person calling out to the artist assures them that they will not be abandoned and that they should stand their ground.
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
The other person urges the artist to hold on and stay strong.
I know, I shall overcome
The artist reaffirms their belief that they will overcome their hardships.
Just in time you call my name
The person calling out to the singer arrives just in time to help them.
Pull myself up to fight again, I'll never let you down
The artist is motivated and ready to fight back, and assures the other person that they will not let them down.
Hold on, hold on, believe me
The other person continues to urge the singer to hold on and trust them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD ARCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D S
🎧 🥁 🎸🎼 🎤
New day dawning, wonder what it holds for me,
Sun is shining, Don't think that it will shine on me
I look around, nothing seems to have changed,
This dirty town, hasn't some how rearranged
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down,
"Just give it up" they say, "We just don't want you around
Not one of us, and we don't like to share."
Mouthful of dust, but I'll get even I swear...
I hear your voice, call my name, but in my heart, It's still pouring rain,
And it ain't pretty,no it ain't pretty...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I shall overcome.
Through my tears, I try to see your face,
But doubt and fear come calling, and crowd my head with words of hate,
Scream out please! Don't leave me hear alone,
Down on my knees, without you, without hope...
I hear your voice, call my name, but in my heart, It's still pouring rain,
And it ain't pretty,no it ain't pretty...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground.
Hold on, hold on... It's easy,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I know I shall overcome.
Just in time you call my name, pull myself up, to fight again.
I'll never let you down...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground.
Hold on, hold on... It's easy,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I know I shall overcome.
🎧 🥁 🎸🎼 🎤
miguel Rojas
New day dawning, I wonder what it holds for me
Sun is shining, don't think that it shine for me
I look around, nothing seems to have changed
This dirty town, it hasn't somehow rearranged
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down
"Just give it up", they say, "We just don't want you around
Not one of us and we don't like to share"
Mouthful of dust, but I'll get even I swear
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone"
I shall overcome
Through my tears, I try to see your face
But doubt and fear come calling
And crowd my head with words of hate
I scream out, "Please, don't leave me hear alone"
Down on my knees, without you, without hope
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground"
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
Just in time you call my name
Pull myself up to fight again, I'll never let you down
Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
FinalFantaSteve
Massively underrated lyrics from a fantastic band.
Oleg Danzig
If u are here they are rated !! If u are not rating them them.. So..Questionz bout ya ))
bruceaisher
Surprised this hasn't got more views - it's a fucking amazing track. My favourite Hard-Fi track - the instrumental in particular is fucking well good.
Oleg Danzig
So here i amma))
khaniboy
Amazing band - so underrated. Deserve more recognition, love this tune!! 👌🏻
D S
🎧 🥁 🎸🎼 🎤
New day dawning, wonder what it holds for me,
Sun is shining, Don't think that it will shine on me
I look around, nothing seems to have changed,
This dirty town, hasn't some how rearranged
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down,
"Just give it up" they say, "We just don't want you around
Not one of us, and we don't like to share."
Mouthful of dust, but I'll get even I swear...
I hear your voice, call my name, but in my heart, It's still pouring rain,
And it ain't pretty,no it ain't pretty...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I shall overcome.
Through my tears, I try to see your face,
But doubt and fear come calling, and crowd my head with words of hate,
Scream out please! Don't leave me hear alone,
Down on my knees, without you, without hope...
I hear your voice, call my name, but in my heart, It's still pouring rain,
And it ain't pretty,no it ain't pretty...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground.
Hold on, hold on... It's easy,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I know I shall overcome.
Just in time you call my name, pull myself up, to fight again.
I'll never let you down...
But you say "Hold on, hold on... believe me,
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground.
Hold on, hold on... It's easy,
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone."
I know I shall overcome.
🎧 🥁 🎸🎼 🎤
Oleg Danzig
Fuzk ya ladz!! Broken heart Will not be strong as before
miguel Rojas
New day dawning, I wonder what it holds for me
Sun is shining, don't think that it shine for me
I look around, nothing seems to have changed
This dirty town, it hasn't somehow rearranged
And I stand up, but I get knocked straight back down
"Just give it up", they say, "We just don't want you around
Not one of us and we don't like to share"
Mouthful of dust, but I'll get even I swear
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone"
I shall overcome
Through my tears, I try to see your face
But doubt and fear come calling
And crowd my head with words of hate
I scream out, "Please, don't leave me hear alone"
Down on my knees, without you, without hope
I hear your voice, call my name
In my heart, there's a pouring rain
And it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty, no it ain't pretty
But you say, "Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground"
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
Just in time you call my name
Pull myself up to fight again, I'll never let you down
Hold on, hold on, believe me
Love is here and I won't let you down, stand your ground
Hold on, hold on, it's easy
All the plans against you one by one, will come undone
I know, I shall overcome
Khaled Abu-Shaaban
Brings back great memories, love this song it spoke to me when i started listening to it years ago
@glofernandez
This is my song ❤ I love the lyrics! 👊