Formed in 1997, the band released their first album, 1999s Composition No. 1 on independent record label Eartube Empire. They then recorded an album entitled Call It What You Want for Squint Entertainment, containing tracks produced by the band and by Mario C, will.i.am and Prince Paul. Squint never released the album, but they did release a promotional EP titled Big Broke L.A. that contained tracks from Call It What You Want.
LA Symphony independently released the Baloney EP in 2002. Originally, 1000 limited edition copies were pressed, hand-numbered and shipped in resealable sandwich bags. Baloney was later re-pressed.
Following the Baloney EP, LA Symphony was signed to Gotee Records. They then released The End Is Now in 2003, Less Than Zero in 2005 and Disappear Here in 2005.
Phoenix
L.A. Symphony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are a brick tied to me that's dragging me down
Strike a match and I'll burn you to the ground
We are the jack-o-lanterns in july setting fire to the sky
Here, here comes this rising tide, so come on
Put on your war paint
Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
Silver clouds with grey linings
So we can take the world back from a heart attack
One maniac at a time we will take it back
You know time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start
So dance alone to the beat of your heart
Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Bring home the boys and scrap, scrap metal the tanks
Get hitched, make a career out of robbing banks
Because the world is just a teller and we are wearing black masks
"You broke our spirit," says the note we pass
So we can take the world back from a heart attack
One maniac at a time we will take it back
You know time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start
So dance alone to the beat of your heart
Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Put on your war paint
The war is won, before it's begun
Release the doves, surrender love
The war is won, before it's begun
Release the doves, surrender love
The war is won, before it's begun
Release the doves, surrender love
The war is won, before it's begun (wave the white flag, wave the white flag, ooh!)
Release the doves, surrender love (wave the white flag, wave the white flag, ooh!)
Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Put on your war paint
The song “Phoenix” by L.A. Symphony talks about overcoming society’s pressures and taking control of one’s life to achieve success in the face of adversity. The lyrics, "Put on your war paint," signify that it is time to prepare for battle against the negativity that surrounds us. The metaphor of "brick tied to me" represents the weight that people carry due to societal expectations, which keeps them from moving forward. The song uses phrases such as "jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky," to symbolize change, and the "rising tide" to indicate that it's time to move forward.
Additionally, the lyrics "One maniac at a time we will take it back" suggest that even amidst chaos, it takes one person to make a difference. The phrase "dance alone to the beat of your heart" emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself while pursuing one's dreams. The lyric "I'm gonna change you like a remix, then I'll raise you like a phoenix" suggests that it's possible to transform oneself and rise from the ashes like a phoenix.
Overall, "Phoenix" motivates listeners to fight against stereotypes and overcome societal limits to reach their full potential. It highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and persistently working towards accomplishing one’s goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Put on your war paint
Get ready for battle
You are a brick tied to me that's dragging me down
You are a burden that's weighing me down
Strike a match and I'll burn you to the ground
I will destroy you if you come after me
We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky
We are unconventional and rebellious, setting the world on fire
Here, here comes this rising tide, so come on
We must prepare for the wave of change that's coming
Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
We are following our own path
Silver clouds with grey linings
Even something beautiful can have a negative aspect
So we can take the world back from a heart attack
We must save the world from its own destruction
One maniac at a time we will take it back
We will change the world one crazy person at a time
You know time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start
Waiting for change seems endless
So dance alone to the beat of your heart
Follow your own rhythm and dance to your own beat
Hey young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
We must act now before it's too late
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
I will transform you and help you rise again
Wearing our vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
Our past struggles have shaped us, even if it wasn't comfortable
Bring home the boys and scrap scrap metal the tanks
Get hitched, make a career out of robbing banks
Because the world is just a teller and we are wearing black masks
"You broke our spirit," says the note we pass
We will fight oppressive forces by any means necessary
The war is won, before it's begun
Release the doves, surrender love
We can win without fighting if we embrace love and peace
Hey young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
We must act now before it's too late
Put on your war paint
Get ready for battle
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Hurley, Joseph Trohman, Patrick Stump, Peter Wentz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
balletcomposer
Cringe. Yikes.