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.
Suburban Knights
Hard-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In shop and office, we sing our song we all sing
We ain't got nothing, nothing to do
A big fat nothing, nothing for me, nothing for you
Suburban dreams, just out of reach
Work till you die, that's what they teach you at school
With that in mind, what's there to lose?
Hear them all singing
We're the ones that you've forgotten
But we will not be denied
Coming out of the shadows
We rock the satellites
Suburban nights, they get so hot
People get angry, we sing our song we all sing
A global terror they say, we are at war
But I ain't got time for that 'cause
These bills keep dropping through my door
Hear them all singing
We're the ones you've forgotten
Out of mind, out of sight
Coming out of the shadows
We rock the satellites
All these people who criticize us well
We're only saying what we're seeing with our own eyes
This one way system it ain't, it ain't paradise
Not everybody wants to race, wants to fight
Hear them all singing
We're the ones you've forgotten
But we will not be denied
Coming out of the shadows
We rock the satellites
We're the ones that you've forgotten
Out of mind, out of sight
Coming out of the shadows
Coming live via satellite
The lyrics of "Suburban Knights" by Hard-Fi describe the lives of people living in suburban neighborhoods. The mundane routine of working in shops and offices has left these individuals, the song's subjects, feeling unfulfilled and as if they have nothing to do; they are consumed by TV, cigarettes and alcohol. The song points out the hopelessness of their situation and how it is expected of them to work until they die, something they were taught in school. However, the suburban people are not happy with their positions in life and refuse to be forgotten. They believe that it's time for them to come out of the shadows and rock the satellites.
Throughout the lyrics, the band expresses the discontent of suburban life, the never-ending pattern, and how they don't want to be ignored anymore. They are dissatisfied with their lives and the one-way system and want to break free from it. The suburb's way of life is not paradise, and individuals should not be judged for not wanting to fight or race. The harsh reality of life in the suburbs is presented, and how it is isolating, making individuals feel like they are forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Suburban days, they last so long
The daily life in the suburbs seems monotonous and uneventful, with time dragging on endlessly.
In shop and office, we sing our song we all sing
Despite being stuck in mundane jobs, people in the suburbs find solace in a sense of community and togetherness.
We ain't got nothing, nothing to do
There's a lack of excitement or purpose in suburban life.
A big fat nothing, nothing for me, nothing for you
The emptiness of suburban life is experienced by everyone, with nothing to look forward to or aspire towards.
Suburban dreams, just out of reach
Despite working hard every day, the American Dream feels unattainable for those living in the suburbs.
Work till you die, that's what they teach you at school
The traditional education system teaches students to work hard and never stop, without necessarily equipping them with the necessary skills or opportunities to seek better lives.
With that in mind, what's there to lose?
Given the lack of opportunities and excitement in suburban life, why not seek new experiences and take risks?
My friends and I, doped up on TV fags and booze
In lieu of excitement or adventure, people in the suburbs resort to vices like television, smoking, and drinking for stimulation.
We're the ones that you've forgotten
Suburban dwellers feel neglected and overlooked by society at large.
But we will not be denied
Despite the challenges and struggles, suburbanites refuse to give up or be ignored.
Coming out of the shadows
They are emerging from obscurity and making their presence known.
We rock the satellites
Through music and culture, suburbanites are leaving their mark on the wider world.
Suburban nights, they get so hot
Even in the safety of their homes, tensions and frustrations can mount in the suburbs.
People get angry, we sing our song we all sing
Music provides a therapeutic outlet and unified voice for suburban dwellers in the face of their frustrations.
A global terror they say, we are at war
As the world around them seems to be falling apart, suburbanites are trying to hold onto a sense of normalcy and stability.
But I ain't got time for that 'cause
The realities of daily life, like bills and responsibilities, take priority over global crises.
These bills keep dropping through my door
The financial strain of suburban life doesn't let up, even amidst larger concerns.
All these people who criticize us well
Suburbanites face judgment and criticism from those outside of their community.
We're only saying what we're seeing with our own eyes
Despite what others may think, suburbanites feel like they have a unique perspective on their way of life and the challenges they face.
This one way system it ain't, it ain't paradise
The suburbs might seem idyllic to outsiders, but the reality is much more complicated and difficult to navigate.
Not everybody wants to race, wants to fight
The suburban lifestyle might not be glamorous or exciting, but it provides a different kind of value and appeal for those who live it.
Coming live via satellite
The suburban community is finding ways to connect and share their culture and experiences with others beyond their immediate surroundings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD ARCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DrumsTheWord
This is still an amazing song. I come back to listen every now and then. It never ages. THAT chorus!!
@stuartfear4538
Couldnt agree more m8. Chorus is mega innit
@dattebayo155
such a top tune! One of those you can't stop playing on loop, until someone gets FED UP with you ha ha
eh eh eh oh oh oh ah ah ah
@BackFromNowere
Hard Fi were massively underrated.
@nelsonj1985lasvegas
BackFromNowere yes ! 😔
@Fearyourown
BackFromNowere indeed
@Doomer42389
agree
@danielnevha4664
obviously
@GunglAdam
*are
@ShocksandDropsMedia
still love this album and shame they do not do much anymore :(