House of Heroes doesn't just sing songs, they tell stories. Songs like "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" (telling a version of the story of Jacob in the Bible) and "Code Name: Raven" (the story of a spy in the time of World War II) draw listeners in by setting stories of love, sacrifice, and war to a non-specific song set-up and engaging music. Other songs, like "Friday Night", "Faces", or "The Drugs the Drugs" show the emptiness of man's meaningless desires. Distinguished lyrics and music that backs it up, pushing it forward, give listeners a unique experience. A band not scared of being different, House of Heroes certainly distinguishes themselves from the bunch.
Releases include: "What You Want Is Now", with tracks like "Julia", "The Lead Role In The Cage", and strings-backed "Uncomfortable" make the album House of Heroes's most rock-lead album. Self- titled "House of Heroes" and "Say No More" ( a re-release of the first with extra songs) posess the most edgy, indie-rock sound, lead by songs "Buckets For Bullet Wounds", "Serial Sleepers", "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad", and 9 minute closer "Angels In Top Hats." 2010 release "The End Is Not the End" gets its name from the lyrics in the acoustic driven song "By Your Side" of the album. Tracks like "In the Valley of the Dying Sun", "Leave You Now", and epic-like "Field of Daggers" make an argument to "The End..." being the band's most creative album yet. Their most recent release, "Suburba," continues the creative trend with the rock sound of "Independance Day for a Petty Thief" to the beautiful worship anthem "Salt in the Sea." Other releases include the holiday song "Silent Night", DC Talk cover "Day By Day", and the band's most different output, "The Acoustic End EP", which includes the acoustic version of the song "If'" (from "the End Is Not the End"),"New Moon", and "Ghost." A well-worked "Serial Sleepers (Acoustic)" is available for free on freehoh.com. The band has also released "Meets the Beatles EP" which includes three Beatles cover: "Can't Buy Me Love", "It Won't Be Long", and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da."
Rumours from the band's facebook page indicate a new EP coming sometime soon.
Barbara's Birthday
House of Heroes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll be leaving in the fall. Chicago knows your name.
I never knew your heart at all.
And I'll miss you. and I'll wish you were here.
I never said that "I love you dear".
I never knew your heart at all.
But it seems like.
I'll always be the other guy.
Will you build up another wall? I'll never be like him.
I swear I'm not like him at all.
And I'll kiss you. and I'll skip a year.
I never said that "I love you dear".
I never knew your heart at all.
I don't know why I'm going to miss you till I die.
The lyrics of House of Heroes's "Barbara's Birthday" tell the story of a man who has strong feelings for a woman named Barbara, but is unable to express his love for her. The song speaks of his regrets and unfulfilled desires as Barbara prepares to leave for Chicago in the fall. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and heartache as the singer admits to never truly knowing Barbara's heart or confessing his love to her.
The first stanza of the song describes Barbara's striking blue eyes, which have never shone so brightly. It is clear that the singer finds her incredibly beautiful and captivating. However, he knows that she will be leaving soon and Chicago already knows her name, suggesting that she plans to start a new life and leave the singer behind. The line "I never knew your heart at all" speaks to the singer's regret over not being able to connect with Barbara on a deeper level.
In the second stanza, the singer expresses his fear of being rejected by Barbara, which is why he has never revealed his true feelings. He acknowledges that he could never measure up to the man in Barbara's life and fears that she will build up another wall to protect herself from being hurt again. The repetition of the line "I never knew your heart at all" in the bridge speaks to the singer's sense of loss and confusion as he realizes that he missed his chance to be with the woman he loves.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of missed opportunities and unrequited love. The singer is left with a feeling of regret as Barbara prepares to move on with her life without him.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue eyes have never shined so brightly.
Barbara seems to be in a good mood or happy about something, and her bright blue eyes reflect that.
You'll be leaving in the fall. Chicago knows your name.
Barbara will be moving to Chicago in the fall, and it's a place where she is already known or recognized in some way.
I never knew your heart at all.
The singer confesses that they didn't know Barbara's true feelings or emotions, despite being close to her.
And I'll miss you. and I'll wish you were here.
Despite not knowing Barbara's heart, the artist will miss her and wish she could stay.
I never said that "I love you dear".
The artist never expressed their love to Barbara, which could suggest unrequited love.
But it seems like. I'll always be the other guy.
The singer feels like they will always be in the friendzone or second choice, and not seen as a romantic interest by Barbara.
No heart was ever bound so tight.
Barbara's heart is closed off or protected in some way, perhaps due to past experiences.
Will you build up another wall? I'll never be like him.
The artist hopes that Barbara won't shut them out completely, and reassures her that they won't hurt her like others may have in the past.
I swear I'm not like him at all.
The artist wants to prove or emphasize that they are not like past people who may have hurt Barbara.
And I'll kiss you. and I'll skip a year.
The artist has romantic feelings for Barbara, and is willing to make a grand gesture like skipping a year to be with her.
I don't know why I'm going to miss you till I die.
The singer is perplexed as to why they will always miss Barbara, even after death, but it's a testament to how much she meant to them.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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