It didn't take long for I the Mighty to start making an impression on the West Coast. The quartet landed on the music director's desk at local modern rock station Live 105 around the release of Hearts and Spades, and from there it's been one milestone after another. I the Mighty have found regular radio airplay, opening slots for Deftones, Hawthorne Heights, and There For Tomorrow, as well as packed venues up and down the West Coast. Not to mention glowing reviews and coverage in Alternative Press, AMP Magazine, and on AbsolutePunk.net
"We wanted to introduce I the Mighty and Hearts and Spades to as many people as possible, so we decided to put together a 'track hunt' and make each of the songs available on different social media sites and later on Purevolume.com," explains singer Brent Walsh. "We researched how our fans and friends discovered music online and embraced that by giving them a reason to connect with us (the EP for free) and then we tried to build a personal friendship with each one." The band's marketing strategy has been an unquestionable success, with over 3,500 full EP downloads within the first 3 months of release.
In addition to their high-energy live set, I the Mighty have paired new media intellect with traditional promotion to help build a loyal and enthusiastic group of fans.
They were signed to Equal Vision records and released three albums before breaking up in 2020 due to frontman Brent Walsh receiving sexual assault allegations.
The Frame II: Keep Breathing
I the Mighty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ones that we failed to ever commit.
They'd surely turn us in at the hospital
And it'd be off to the gallows we'd go.
So I will carry you forever if you just keep breathing.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you go.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you, never let you go.
There's nowhere to hide, it's all sand (so much distance)
And only one friend who would take us in.
But he's a whole day's walk away
And my arms just can't manage the weight.
So, I will lay with you forever if you just keep breathing.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you go.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you, never let you.
We can't afford love, they're already coming for us, for us.
Our love is something they can never take from us.
Just keep breathing.
I promise your death is not in vain my love, it's death to them.
God knows how much time is left.
So, as you take your final breath,
think about the way we used to dance.
Oh, I can see it now.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you go.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you, never, never!
We can't afford love, they already took her from us. From us.
The subject of the song is a couple who are on the run after the man was shot in the back 'for our sins', which implies that the couple is being made to suffer for something they did not do. The shooter seems to be an outsider who holds them accountable for a societal wrongdoing not committed by them. The lyrics seem to touch upon the theme of injustice, isolation, and love. The couple is hiding in the desert and surviving with the help of a friend who is a day's walk away. The weight of the wounded man seems to be too much for the singer, as it is just the two of them trying to survive. But the singer insists that he will carry him forever if he just keeps breathing, and he will never let him go. Despite the constant threat of being caught, the singer is determined to hold onto his love, as he says, 'Our love is something they can never take from us.'
The lyrics toward the end take a poignant turn when the wounded man takes his final breath, and the singer remembers the way they used to dance, offering a bittersweet goodbye. The lines that follow, 'We can't afford love, they already took her from us' could either signify a resigned acceptance of the man's passing, or it could imply that they were actively pursued by someone who has taken away the love of the singer's life earlier. It could also highlight the importance of enjoying whatever time you have with your loved ones, even if it is uncertain and fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
You were shot in the back for our sins,
You were wrongly punished for something you didn't do, on behalf of all of us.
Ones that we failed to ever commit.
We never actually committed the sins that you were punished for.
They'd surely turn us in at the hospital
If we took you to a hospital for help, they would report us and we would be punished.
And it'd be off to the gallows we'd go.
We would be executed for what they would perceive as a crime.
So I will carry you forever if you just keep breathing.
I will support you and never let you go as long as you keep holding on.
Oh, don't you know I will never let you go.
I will never abandon you or forget about you.
There's nowhere to hide, it's all sand (so much distance)
We have no safe place to go, as there is a vast distance we would need to travel to find refuge.
And only one friend who would take us in.
We only have one person we can trust to help us.
But he's a whole day's walk away
The distance to reach our friend is vast, and it would take a long time.
And my arms just can't manage the weight.
I am struggling to carry you, as it is physically and emotionally heavy.
So, I will lay with you forever if you just keep breathing.
If you can just hold on, I will stay by your side and never leave you alone.
We can't afford love, they're already coming for us, for us.
Our love is in jeopardy from those who are coming after us.
Our love is something they can never take from us.
Despite what may happen, our love is too strong to be destroyed.
Just keep breathing.
The most important thing is to hold on and stay alive.
I promise your death is not in vain my love, it's death to them.
Your sacrifice will not be for nothing, as their actions will lead to their downfall.
God knows how much time is left.
We are uncertain how much longer we have before our time runs out.
So, as you take your final breath, think about the way we used to dance.
In your final moments, remember the happy times we've shared.
Oh, I can see it now.
Even in this difficult situation, I am reminded of the beautiful memories we've created.
They already took her from us. From us.
We have already lost someone we loved to those who are after us, and we cannot let that happen again.
Contributed by Liam E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ProfMcRage
This album is absolutely golden. I've been addicted to every song on it for months.
Rayne Depression
Same!!!
cribbles '
I'm still singing it in the shower.
I the Mighty is such an amazing band.
Jasmyn Allen
Every single time I hear him say, “They already took her from us,” it makes me want to cry. I literally can’t get enough of these boys.
MONIC3 Videos
Someone needs to make animated films about all the songs to "The Frame" series. ohgodyespls
Jon
Would it be illegal for me to do it? I've actually been debating on doing it, but I'm worried they're gonna ocme after me for copyright infringement
Maya Deg
I am in love with this band. Every single song I've heard from them is amazing, it's one of the few bands I can constantly listen to without getting tired of them
Emma Mass
How love how they make the drums sound like a heartbeat part way through the second verse when he's talking about how his arms can't hold the weight anymore, but he'd carry her forever if she just keeps breathing
TheJestersRose
How is this band not more popular?! How?!
Luke Moore
This band are such a god damned class act on all levels. Being a drummer I’ve always only really focused on the musical (instrument) side of things, but actually following the lyrics on the video for the first time had me welling up. His vocals are absolutely insane and those lyrics are powerful!