Icon For Hire has released three full length albums: Scripted, Icon For Hire and YOU CAN'T KILL US.
Released in 2011, their first album Scripted shattered first-week sales becoming the highest new artist debut in Tooth & Nail Records history. The record debuted on the Billboard Top 200, at No. 4, on the iTunes Rock chart, and No. 19 on the iTunes overall albums chart.
Icon For Hire released their second full length self-titled album Icon For Hire in October 2013 on the Tooth and Nail label. Producer Mike Green (All Time Low, The Wanted, Pierce The Veil) was at the mixer to follow up their debut album, Scripted.
After spending a remarkable 18 months touring around the world, the group returned to their hometown of Decatur, IL to write their new record. Icon For Hire is set to push the boundaries of music and fashion far beyond their debut. According to the guitarist, Shawn Jump, “We wrote and dreamed about this record away from everything. We needed a safe place where we could all get to “spirit,” and maximize our different influences.” Added drummer, Adam Kronshagen, “There’s been undeniable friction in the songwriting process. We love knowing that you will definitely hear the element of conflict inside of every song we wrote.
The band's video, “Off With Her Head,” received 200k views its first week. Frontwoman and fashion designer, Ariel, worked with the team for weeks to create an avant-garde interpretation of the hit song. The group spent two days in Compton, CA (South Los Angeles) filming the video with a variety of the hottest underground artists.
Icon For Hire moved towards a new chapter of the band in 2016. Adam Kronshagen left the band to spend more time with his family coupled with a split with their record label Tooth & Nail the band decided to go it alone, or so it seemed. The band put together a plan for a kick starter project backed by their own fans. The kick starter reached its target in a matter of days. The album YOU CAN'T KILL US was released in stages throughout the year to those who have backed the kick starter project and there were physical copies on sale in December 2016 when it was completed.
On October 23, 2018, the band uploaded a video to their YouTube channel titled "Supposed To Be Acoustic Sessions Video Teaser", announcing their first video session to come soon, as well as that the Still Can't Kill Us: The Acoustic Sessions album would be released on December 7. The band released their "Supposed to Be" Acoustic Video on October 26, their "Get Well II" Acoustic Video on November 8, and "Demons" Acoustic Video on November 23. The tracks were also uploaded to Spotify as singles. A new album The Reckoning was released in September 2022.
Ariel Bloomer - Vocals,
Shawn Jump - Guitar,
Adam Kronshagen - Drums,
Josh Kincheloe - Bass.
Last One Standing
Icon for Hire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They always come for the freaks
I don′t fit quite like they like it and now they've come for me
They always wanna change me
They wanna make me weak
I don′t keep quiet like they like it and now they've come for me
An easy target, an easy mark
I'll turn to face you
Then I′ll erase you
Before I do
I′ll take this moment like I own it
Ain't seen the last of me
′Cause I will be the last one standing
Walk through the fire, it takes me higher
Ain't seen the last of me
′Cause I will be the last one standing
I won't let you kill me
And not like you could
And they say you only die one time and I′mma make mine good
You think you got me cornered
But here's what you don't know
You didn′t get the best of me
I saved that for myself
An easy target, an easy mark
But how you think I got this far?
I′ll turn to face you
Then I'll erase you
Before I do
I′ll take this moment like I own it
Ain't seen the last of me
′Cause I will be the last one standing
Walk through the fire, it takes me higher
Ain't seen the last of me
′Cause I will be the last one standing
They always come for the wild ones
They always come for the freaks
They always come for the misfits like you
Like you and me
They always come for the wild ones
They always come for the freaks
They always come for the misfits like you
Like you and me
I'll take this moment like I own it
Ain't seen the last of me
′Cause I will be the last one standing
Walk through the fire, it takes me higher
Ain′t seen the last of me
'Cause I will be the last one standing
"Last One Standing" by Icon for Hire is a song about defiance and resilience in the face of conformity and societal pressure to conform. The lyrics refer to the singer’s perceived status as a wild, freak, or misfit, and how they have become an easy target for those who do not accept them. The singer does not want to be changed or made weak by the people who come for them. Instead, they want to take ownership of their moment and prove that they are not defeated. The chorus talks about how the singer is refusing to be another casualty of conformity, and how they will fight to be the last one standing.
The song can be interpreted as an anthem for anyone who has experienced bullying or discrimination in their life. It is a reminder that one has the power to own their life and prove the doubters wrong. The line, "You think you got me cornered, but here's what you don't know, you didn't get the best of me, I saved that for myself," shows the singer's determination to hold onto their self-worth and not let anyone else define them.
In short, "Last One Standing" is a powerful message of self-empowerment and not giving up in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
They always come for the wild ones
People with unique personalities and characteristics are often the targets of discrimination and mistreatment.
They always come for the freaks
Those who don't conform to societal standards are often singled out and oppressed.
I don't fit quite like they like it and now they've come for me
The singer is being targeted because they don't conform to others' expectations of them.
They always wanna change me
Others want to impose their beliefs and values onto the artist instead of accepting them for who they are.
I don't keep quiet like they like it and now they've come for me
The artist's outspokenness and refusal to conform has made them a target of oppression.
An easy target, an easy mark
The singer is vulnerable and susceptible to being attacked or taken advantage of.
But how you think I got this far?
The singer has faced challenges and adversity in the past, but has persevered and grown in strength as a result.
I'll turn to face you
The artist is not afraid to confront those who seek to do them harm or oppress them.
Then I'll erase you
The artist will overcome those who seek to harm or oppress them and emerge victorious.
I'll take this moment like I own it
The artist will seize the opportunity to prove themselves and show their strength.
Ain't seen the last of me
The singer will continue to fight and persevere, even in the face of adversity.
′Cause I will be the last one standing
The artist will not only survive, but thrive and come out on top.
Walk through the fire, it takes me higher
The singer will endure challenges and struggles in order to grow stronger and achieve greater heights.
I won't let you kill me
The singer will not be defeated or destroyed by those who seek to harm or oppress them.
And not like you could
The singer is strong and resilient, and will not be easily defeated.
And they say you only die one time and I′mma make mine good
The artist will make the most of their life and not let others dictate how they live or what they achieve.
You think you got me cornered
Those who seek to oppress the artist believe they have them trapped or helpless.
But here's what you don't know
The singer has hidden strengths and abilities that their oppressors are not aware of.
You didn't get the best of me
The singer will not let their oppressors defeat them or diminish their strength and resilience.
I saved that for myself
The artist has inner strength and resilience that they keep hidden from others, and will use to overcome their oppressors.
They always come for the misfits like you
Those who don't conform to societal standards or expectations are often targets of discrimination and oppression, including the artist.
I'll take this moment like I own it
The artist will seize the opportunity to prove themselves and show their strength.
′Cause I will be the last one standing
The singer will not only survive, but thrive and come out on top.
Walk through the fire, it takes me higher
The artist will endure challenges and struggles in order to grow stronger and achieve greater heights.
Ain't seen the last of me
The singer will continue to fight and persevere, even in the face of adversity.
'Cause I will be the last one standing
The singer will not only survive, but thrive and come out on top.
Writer(s): Amy V A Jump, Shawn M Jump
Contributed by Harper Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mountfoolish
The song is great, of course, but this video is probably the best one you guys have made yet. After Marko leaving Nightwish, I needed something positive from the music world. This is exactly what I needed! Thanks!
Luna Moth
I agree, it's definitely epic.
Gary Ballard
@Shad0w W0lf
They've been at their best with Floor. The chemistry was absolutely amazing. Marco's replacement is great, but the balance has been thrown off a bit - Floor and Marco make one of the best duets in music, but now Troy has to sing Marco's parts.
But Floor does everything that Tarja and Anette did, and adds her own twist. It's not Tarja-era vids getting all the buzz on YT.
Hell, I've tried to introduce people to Nightwish, but they all seem to start with a Tarja version and nope out when she starts singing.
Shad0w W0lf
After Tarja Turunen and/or Anette Olzon got kicked from NightWish pfft that band really isn't that great anymore
Sevalecan
OMG. I had NO idea Marco resigned from NW! I guess that's a few weeks old now. Nightwish for the longest time was my favorite band, but the last album didn't capture my interest at all, unfortunately. Still, it's too bad. Marco is absolutely amazing. That's a huge loss to the band.
I've had an Icon for Hire song or two in my library for a couple years, but only starting to really appreciate them this month. This is really good music.
Chelsea Bartoszek
Wait what!? Ugh.. sad day :(
Scorpius1082
I love IFH so much. That build in Ariel's voice at 3:05 is so powerful.
Katie Norman
My favorite part is the “they always come for the freaks!” It felt so personal and like we were connected for a moment 💕
Carrie Pybus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sXoA7B5yJo
Phantom Echelon
I more of a misfit, but yeah this track really speaks to me too.