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.

Unnecessary Trouble
Hard-Fi Lyrics

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Wooo!

I've been round here long enough, send the smooth but only cut the rough. Got no reason, ooo no, i got no reason.

Police go on the radio, i ain't got no place to go, i got no reason, ooo no, i gotta reason.

Well you say when you go out to town, baby i can't shove you round, but baby, let's generate some heeeat, gotta reason...Ooo, yeah i got a reason.

Hang on baby, you know me out, you make me want to scream and shout. I've gotta reason, yeah, yeah, i gotta reason

You can make your own as well. I like your face, girl, i like your style. You've gotta reason, ooo yeah, I've gotta reason. Yeah get out.....i want to eat you up like food, ooo baby, lets generate sooome heat, I gotta reason! Ooo yeah, i gotta reason.

All right! Lets go! Check it out, lets check it out, yeah.

Gotta get my head just right, gotta make my move tonight, gotta reason...yeah, i've gotta reason...oo i gotta reason (x3)

I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...

I've got a reason, gotta...
I've got a reason, gotta...

Overall Meaning

The chorus of Hard-Fi's song "Unnecessary Trouble" expresses a sense of restlessness, frustration, and aimlessness. The singer declares that they have "no reason" for anything - no reason to be smooth, no reason to go anywhere, no reason to act a certain way. This is a familiar feeling to many people, especially young people who are figuring out their place in the world. The singer is searching for a reason, but it seems they cannot find it.

The verses express a desire for change and excitement. The singer wants to "generate some heat" and "make [their] move tonight." They seem to be looking for a way to break out of their routine and find something exciting to do. They also express a desire for connection - they like someone's face and style and want to "eat [them] up like food." The song's bridge intensifies this desire, with the singer proclaiming that their partner makes them want to "scream and shout."

Overall, the song seems to be about the inherent struggle of finding meaning and purpose in life. The singer wants to break free of their boredom and find a reason to live, but it seems elusive. The song's energetic beat and lyrics convey a sense of urgency - this is a matter of great importance. Hard-Fi is able to capture the universal feeling of searching for one's place in the world and express it in a catchy and memorable way.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been round here long enough, send the smooth but only cut the rough. Got no reason, ooo no, i got no reason.
I've been in this place for so long, trying to get by with whatever I have. I'm in a state of confusion and have no reason for all of it.

Police go on the radio, i ain't got no place to go, i got no reason, ooo no, i gotta reason.
I hear the police on the radio, but I have nowhere to go. I feel out of place and confused, but there's a part of me that wants to do things a certain way.

Well you say when you go out to town, baby i can't shove you round, but baby, let's generate some heeeat, gotta reason...Ooo, yeah i got a reason.
You tell me that I can't be controlling, but let's go out and cause some excitement. I have a reason and motivation for doing so.

Hang on baby, you know me out, you make me want to scream and shout. I've gotta reason, yeah, yeah, i gotta reason
You know me so well that you can make me emotional. But that emotional energy translates into a reason for why I do things.

You can make your own as well. I like your face, girl, i like your style. You've gotta reason, ooo yeah, I've gotta reason. Yeah get out.....i want to eat you up like food, ooo baby, lets generate sooome heat, I gotta reason! Ooo yeah, i gotta reason.
You are unique and I appreciate that. You have a reason for how you are and I have a reason for being attracted to that. Let's create some passion, because I have a reason to want this.

Gotta get my head just right, gotta make my move tonight, gotta reason...yeah, i've gotta reason...oo i gotta reason (x3)
I need to figure out what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I have a motivation for tonight and I need to make sure everything is in place before I act on it.

I've got a reason, gotta...
The artist is emphasizing that they do have a reason (for their actions, emotions, etc.)