Harmful was originally a trio, founded in 1992 by members Aren Emirze, Chris Aidonopoulos and Nico Heimann. Their 2007 album 7 was produced by former Faith No More bassist and record producer Billy Gould who subsequently joined the band as a fourth member.
Album discography:
* 1995: Harmful (BluNoise)
* 1997: Apoplexy.136 (BluNoise)
* 2000: Counterbalance (Firestarter/BMG)
* 2001: Wromantic (Firestarter/BMG)
* 2003: Sanguine (Steamhammer/SPV)
* 2005: Sis Masis (Nois-o-Lution)
* 2007: 7 (Nois-o-Lution)
* 2010: Cause (PIAS)
Setback
Harmful Lyrics
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Passtime - personal generous and freely given Stop fiddling! Start to proffer!
As much as you can bare
It shows he wants more His mind is fixed... It shows you once more... an opaque fix
Troublesome, stubborn, setback is coverin' It comes, it swallows, quiet and solemnly
Stop fiddling! Start to proffer! As much as you can bare
Silent, putrid, silent it comes Putrid - a sudden setback
In the song "Setback" by Harmful, the lyrics depict a sense of frustration and disappointment with a situation or event that seems to be hindering progress. The lyrics suggest that there is a "box of tricks" causing trouble, with a "stunning certitude" taking over. The idea of a "passtime" that was generously given is being wasted as the situation becomes more difficult. The repetition of the phrase "stop fiddling! start to proffer!" suggests that there is a need to take action and make a change in order to overcome the setback. The lyrics also suggest that there is a desire for more, but the "mind is fixed" on the current situation, leading to an "opaque fix".
The word choice in the lyrics contributes to the overall feeling of frustration and disappointment. Words like "troublesome", "stubborn", and "putrid" suggest negativity and difficulty, while the repetition of "silent" further emphasizes the sense of stagnation and lack of progress. The use of "as much as you can bare" suggests that the situation might be difficult or painful to deal with, but it is important to try and push through it in order to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
A box of tricks troublesome, stunning certitude is takin' over
The singer is being overcome by an overwhelming feeling of certainty, which they describe as a troublesome box of tricks.
Passtime - personal generous and freely given Stop fiddling! Start to proffer!
The singer is calling on themselves (and possibly others) to stop wasting time and start offering their personal gifts and talents to the world.
As much as you can bare
The singer is urging their listeners to push themselves to their limits and give as much as they can.
It shows he wants more His mind is fixed... It shows you once more... an opaque fix
The artist is commenting on the fixed mindset of someone else, which they describe as an opaque fix and a desire for even more.
Troublesome, stubborn, setback is coverin' It comes, it swallows, quiet and solemnly
The artist is describing a setback that is creeping up on them, covering them in a stubborn and troublesome way.
Stop fiddling! Start to proffer! As much as you can bare
The singer repeats their call to action, urging themselves (and others) to push past the setback and offer as much as they can to the world.
Silent, putrid, silent it comes Putrid - a sudden setback
The singer describes the setback as suddenly creeping up on them in a silent and unpleasant way, like something putrid.
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.