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.
Seven Nation Army
Hard-Fi Lyrics
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A nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone
Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that aint what you want to hear
But thats what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home
I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
Right before the lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home
The lyrics of "Seven Nation Army" by Hard-Fi paint a picture of a person who is ready to fight against anything that is holding them back, not even a nation army can do so. The person seems haunted by some past mistakes, which they can't forget, and this is shown by how they talk to themselves at night. Their mental turmoil is not helped by the people around them who keep telling their stories, which fuel the person's anger.
The lyrics also suggest that the person is ready to confront anyone who crosses their path. They would not hold back, and they would serve them what they deserve. The last verse alludes to the person wanting to escape their troubled past by going to Wichita and working hard. However, it seems this plan does not go well as the person ends up bleeding and unable to speak anymore. The stains from their blood suggest that they may have been hurt, possibly by their past actions, and are left with no choice but to go back home where they must face their demons.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna fight 'em all
I will not back down from a fight with anyone
A nation army couldn't hold me back
No matter how big the opposition, I'm too strong to be held back
They're gonna rip it off
Others may try to tear me down
Taking their time right behind my back
They are waiting for me to let my guard down
And I'm talking to myself at night
I have many thoughts and feelings that I can't express to anyone else
Because I can't forget
Something has happened that I can't get out of my mind
Back and forth through my mind
I keep replaying the same thoughts and memories over and over
Behind a cigarette
I use smoking as a way to cope with my thoughts
And the message coming from my eyes
My emotions are showing through my eyes, even if I'm not saying anything
Says leave it alone
I don't want anyone to interfere with my thoughts and feelings
Don't want to hear about it
I'm tired of people talking about the same old things
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone has something to say or a unique experience to share
Everyone knows about it
Everyone has heard the stories, even the most powerful people like the Queen of England
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
Everyone, from the most powerful to the lowest and most dangerous, knows about it
And if I catch it coming back my way
If someone tries to bring negativity towards me
I'm gonna serve it to you
I will not tolerate or accept disrespect from anyone
And that aint what you want to hear
Others may not want to hear this, but I won't hold back
But thats what I'll do
I will stand up for myself and not back down
And the feeling coming from my bones
I have a deep conviction and intuition guiding me
Says find a home
I'm seeking a place where I can be myself and feel safe
I'm going to Wichita
I'm leaving my current location and starting fresh in a new place
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm leaving the drama and chaos of my current situation behind me forever
I'm gonna work the straw
I will work hard and put in the effort to create a better life for myself
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
My hard work will be exhausting and difficult, but it will pay off
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
I'm expressing my emotions and pain through my art and music
Right before the lord
I am expressing myself honestly and vulnerably, even if it's uncomfortable
All the words are gonna bleed from me
I will keep expressing myself until there's nothing left to say
And I will sing no more
When I've said all I have to say, I will stop making music
And the stains coming from my blood
The evidence of my hard work and emotional expression is visible
Tell me go back home
The stains are a reminder that I should return to my roots and what's true and important to me
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.