Harvey Danger was an alternative rock band that formed in Seattle, Washingt… Read Full Bio ↴Harvey Danger was an alternative rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1992 and rose to prominence in 1998 with the iconic single "Flagpole Sitta". Released from their debut album, 'Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?', the song helped the group build its college radio fan-base. The band released their last album in 2005, 'Little by Little' (also known as 'Little by Little...'), after the five year hiatus that followed the release of their sophomore album, 'King James Version'. Harvey Danger has a devoted cult following (with many free downloads available from their website) but the band is widely labeled as a "one hit wonder", mainly due to limited mainstream radio airplay and a lack of decent record deals.

Still, Harvey Danger has attracted U.S. attention due to their critical praise, with the All Music Guide calling the release 'Little By Little' "a smart and compelling pop album". In contrast, the band is little known in Europe, the aforementioned issues compounded since the band focused on selling themselves in America (especially Seattle) and thus made it very difficult for fans to get albums in Europe. The original drummer, Evan Sult, moved to Chicago and now drums in the band Bound Stems. For a short-time, he was replaced by Michael Welke, formerly of the band No. 226.

As a symbol of the group's close connection to its fans, they published their last album as a free download along with other materials. In 2009, they announced on their website they've called it quits. According to them, their decision was mutual, and they felt the band has run its course. The single "Flagpole Sitta" remains popular on various radio stations as well as having notoriety from being the theme song to the popular British comedy program 'Peep Show'.

On March 6, 2016, bass player and founding member, Aaron Huffman, died of respiratory failure.

Wrecking Ball
Harvey Danger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tear down the bearing wall
Put up a picture window
Something to look through
At the bastard colors

Burnt sienna
Put down the wrecking ball
Who has a friend who needs one?

I've got a way to get to work in almost any city

Doesn't matter where
Take a needle I won't be there
Privileges forsaken there
Liberties I've taken take me nowhere

Put down the wrecking ball
Don't let a childhood linger
They'll take the world apart and break my baby brother's finger
So he can't shake my hand

Guard the dead against my legacy
And lack the wound no more
Run from nowhere, nowhere follows you
Burn down the house

Make sure the family is inside
Nothing more to tether you
Also no one there to catch you crying
Nothing but my famous pillow

And my father's rocking chair
(Get a sliver when you sit there)

Every mess I make I make a run from nowhere
Nowhere follows you

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Harvey Danger's song Wrecking Ball depict a desire to tear down the bearing wall, which symbolizes the structure that provides stability to a building. In its place, the singer wants to put up a picture window, creating a gateway through which the outside world can be seen, even if it is filled with bastard colors. The burnt sienna mentioned in the lyrics could refer to the reddish-brown color that is often used in art or design, but the meaning is vague, and it could also represent an emotion or a state of mind. The call to "put down the wrecking ball" hints at the idea that the singer regrets the actions or decisions that led to the desire to demolish the bearing wall in the first place.

The second verse of the song carries a more profound meaning. The line "Take a needle, I won't be there" is a metaphor for the singer's detachment from the world around them. The phrase "privileges forsaken" and "liberties I've taken take me nowhere" suggest that they have sacrificed something essential, maybe their sense of belonging or purpose, but have not found anything in return. The third verse builds upon this sense of despair, urging the singer to protect the dead against their legacy and not leave any wounds behind. The repeated phrase "run from nowhere, nowhere follows you" echoes the earlier metaphor of leaving without guidance or direction.

Line by Line Meaning

Tear down the bearing wall
Demolish the wall that supports us

Put up a picture window
Install a window that reflects our surroundings

Something to look through
An object for viewing and insight

At the bastard colors
Disgusting, unpleasant colors

Burnt sienna
A reddish-brown color

Put down the wrecking ball
Stop the destruction and rebuilding

Who has a friend who needs one?
Why make new friends when the old ones suffice?

I've got a way to get to work in almost any city
I have the means to work almost anywhere

Doesn't matter where
It's not important where you are

Take a needle I won't be there
I won't be affected by what you're doing

Privileges forsaken there
Abandoned opportunities