Hard-Fi is an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Middlesex in 2003.… Read Full Bio ↴Hard-Fi is an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Middlesex in 2003. The band's continual members have been Richard Archer (vocals), Kai Stephens (bass guitar), Ross Phillips (guitar) and Steve Kemp (drums). Staines is a suburban location 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Central London that has significantly influenced their musical style and lyrics.

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.

Stay Alive
Hard-Fi Lyrics

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Hey, Don’t you know you wear me out?
Don’t know if I’m lost or found
Blow my mind, bite my lip…
Hit me like a bad trip

Oh yeh this modern life
She’s just like suicide
Hits you right between the eyes..

I’ve gotta thousand people telling me
A million things that I should be, (Take it easy now)
We all get pulled this way and that
Count your blessings don’t look back. (You and I we’ve gotta..)

Stay Alive, come on honey stay alive
When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round…

Hey! It’s time to get some living done
Cos this is looking like a car crash
I don’t wanna fade away
I ain’t going like that…

Oh yeh this modern life
She’s just like suicide
Hits you right between the eyes..

I’ve gotta thousand people telling me
A million things that I should be, (Take it easy now)
We all get pulled this way and that
Count your blessings don’t look back. (You and I we’ve gotta..)

Stay Alive, come on honey stay alive
When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round…
We’ve gotta stay alive

This is the modern life, suicide, a point forty five, right between your eyes..
Put the kick back in your step, put the kick back in your head
I ain’t going out this way, shake it like an earthquake…

I’ve gotta thousand people telling me
A million things that I should be, (Take it easy now)
We all get pulled this way and that
Count your blessings don’t look back. (You and I we’ve gotta..)

Stay Alive, come on honey stay alive. Stay alive…
This is suicide, we’ve gotta stay alive...
When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round you know
We’ve gotta stay alive

When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round you know
We’ve gotta stay alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hard-Fi's song Stay Alive are a call to perseverance in the face of adversity. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer expressing frustration and exhaustion with the world around him, which he likens to a "bad trip." The second verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer urging the listener to "get some living done" and not fade away, and the chorus provides the song's central message: "Stay alive." The singer acknowledges the challenges and pressures that can make it difficult to keep going, but ultimately insists that it's important to "count your blessings" and not give up.

The song's title alone suggests its central theme of survival and perseverance, but the lyrics themselves are also full of vivid imagery and metaphors that underscore this message. References to suicide, car crashes, and earthquakes create a sense of danger and urgency, while the repeated use of the phrase "spinning round and round" suggests the dizzying, disorienting experience of trying to keep up in a chaotic world.

Overall, the song comes across as both gritty and hopeful, with its driving beat and catchy chorus encouraging listeners to keep fighting through whatever comes their way.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, Don’t you know you wear me out?
I'm feeling exhausted by the influence you have on me.

Don’t know if I’m lost or found
I am feeling confused about my sense of direction and purpose.

Blow my mind, bite my lip…
You are overwhelming me and I am struggling to maintain control of my emotions.

Hit me like a bad trip
Your impact on me is like a negative and overwhelming psychedelic experience.

Oh yeh this modern life She’s just like suicide Hits you right between the eyes..
The demands and pressures of contemporary society are equivalent to an emotionally and mentally lethal force.

I’ve gotta thousand people telling me A million things that I should be, (Take it easy now) We all get pulled this way and that Count your blessings don’t look back. (You and I we’ve gotta..)
I am feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of demands and expectations placed on me, and I need to take a step back to appreciate what I have and stay focused on the present.

Stay Alive, come on honey stay alive When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round…
It is important to stay alive and maintain one's sense of self and purpose amidst the overwhelming chaos and confusion of contemporary society.

Hey! It’s time to get some living done Cos this is looking like a car crash I don’t wanna fade away I ain’t going like that…
It is imperative to take action and seize the day, as the current state of affairs is perilous and one must not surrender to the chaos and uncertainty.

This is the modern life, suicide, a point forty five, right between your eyes.. Put the kick back in your step, put the kick back in your head I ain’t going out this way, shake it like an earthquake…
Contemporary society is comparable to a lethal bullet and it is essential to regain one's energy and focus in order to regain control and confront the challenges ahead.

Stay Alive, come on honey stay alive. Stay alive… This is suicide, we’ve gotta stay alive... When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round you know We’ve gotta stay alive When they’ve got you spinning round and round and round you know We’ve gotta stay alive
It is crucial to maintain a sense of purpose and direction in the face of overwhelming pressure and uncertainty, as this is tantamount to an issue of survival.

Contributed by Colin V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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