After releasing two albums with this line-up, Sal left due to musical differences, and recruited a drummer for the recording/touring of 'Soul Searching Sun.' Caputo felt that the band's original spirit had left the band, and decided to quit in 1997. After a tour with replacement vocalist Whitfield Crane, the singer from Ugly Kid Joe, the band officially disbanded in 1999.
In 2003, the band reunited with their original line-up and played two sold-out shows before their home-town crowd, receiving great reception. This eventually led to a new studio album in 2005, namely 'Broken Valley'. Caputo came out as transgender in 2011. The band broke up again in 2012.
In 2014 the original 'River Runs Red' line-up returned to stage for several gigs. Their latest album A Place Where There's No More Pain was released in 2017. An upcoming album 'The Sound of Scars' is set to be released in 2019.
Unstable
Life of Agony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As much as it's killing you
If it takes you away from me
I don't know what I would do
Just try for some peace of mind
But it's so hard to find
It's so hard to just sit and wait
And wait some more
Skim through the magazines
Pretend like everything's gonna be alright
Although you know it won't be
Unstable
It's hard to be the one who's strong
Who's always got a shoulder to cry on
Who's got a shoulder for me?
When I'm about to breakdown
You're never around
But maybe it's better that way
You've got enough to worry about
You've got your hands full don't you
Don't you see?
This cancer is killing me
Like it's killing you
Mentally
Unstable
And all I really want to know is if she's going to be alright
'cause she's benn in there a long, long time
And I've been out here losing my mind
You're scared
You're frightened
You're so afraid of what he may say
But you try and be brave
For me sitting impatiently
In the lobby of emergency
You burst on through that door with this look on your face
I've never seen before
You explode into endless tears
Whisper in my ear
Baby
Baby
I've only got one more year
Unstable
The song "Unstable" by Life of Agony delves into the theme of coping with cancer and the emotional turmoil it creates not only for the patient but also for the loved ones around them. The first two lines of the song, "This cancer is killing me, as much as it's killing you," portrays the frustration, pain, and anguish that both parties are experiencing. They both equally feel the burden of the disease, and it is not something they can brush off easily.
The chorus of the song, "Unstable, it's hard to be the one who's strong, who's always got a shoulder to cry on, who's got a shoulder for me?" emphasizes the pressure of being the one who is supposed to remain strong throughout the tough ordeal, while the person you're supposed to comfort is breaking down. The responsibility and burden of being the support system also leads to mental and emotional instability within oneself, further perpetuating the distress.
One of the most heart-wrenching parts of the song is when the singer is waiting outside the emergency room, hoping and praying for a good outcome, but also coming to terms with the possibility of a devastating one. The line "And all I really want to know is if she's going to be alright 'cause she's been in there a long, long time, and I've been out here losing my mind" displays the emotional turmoil that comes with the unknown outcome of a loved one's illness.
Overall, "Unstable" is a poignant reminder of the devastating repercussions of cancer not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
This cancer is killing me
The illness is affecting me severely in many ways
As much as it's killing you
It is affecting both of us equally in different ways
If it takes you away from me
I don't know how I would handle losing you
I don't know what I would do
I am uncertain how to cope with the situation
Just try for some peace of mind
Attempting to find a calm state of consciousness
But it's so hard to find
It is difficult to reach that tranquil state
It's so hard to just sit and wait
The anticipation and waiting is agitating
And wait some more
The frustrating waiting process continues
Staring at the door
Looking at the exit for any signs of hope
Skim through the magazines
Distracting oneself with unimportant reading material
Pretend like everything's gonna be alright
Trying to keep a positive outlook despite the negative circumstances
Although you know it won't be
Despite pretending, deep down the situation is recognized to be dire
Unstable
The situation is unpredictable and dangerous
It's hard to be the one who's strong
Being expected to be strong is a difficult task to carry out
Who's always got a shoulder to cry on
People depend on me for emotional support
Who's got a shoulder for me?
But it's hard to find someone to console me
When I'm about to breakdown
When I feel like I am going to emotionally collapse
You're never around
The people I need for emotional support are never there when I need them most
But maybe it's better that way
Maybe depending on others is a bad idea after all
You've got enough to worry about
Other people have their own problems to deal with
You've got your hands full don't you
They are busy with their own issues and responsibilities
Don't you see?
Can't you understand my point of view?
This cancer is killing me
The devastating effects of the illness are worsening for me
Like it's killing you
It's also taking a toll on you
Mentally
It's affecting us both emotionally in profound ways
Unstable
The situation is precarious and tumultuous
And all I really want to know is if she's going to be alright
The only thing that matters is if the person I care about is going to recover
'cause she's benn in there a long, long time
The person has been noticeable absent for an extended period of time
And I've been out here losing my mind
The agonizing waiting and not knowing has taken a mental toll on me
You're scared
You are petrified with fear
You're frightened
Your emotions are consumed by fear
You're so afraid of what he may say
You are anxious about the potential bad news that could be relayed back
But you try and be brave
You attempt to be courageous and strong despite the fear
For me sitting impatiently
You are trying to be strong for the distressed person waiting anxiously
In the lobby of emergency
Both people are waiting right outside the emergency room
You burst on through that door with this look on your face
You suddenly barged in with an intense facial expression
I've never seen before
It was a new and unfamiliar expression to me
You explode into endless tears
You start crying excessively without end
Whisper in my ear
You lean in and whisper into my ear
Baby
A term of endearment
Baby
Addressing the same person a second time
I've only got one more year
You reveal a limited time of survival left
Unstable
The once uncertain situation has worsened into a more dangerous one
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN ROBERT, JOEY ZAMPELLA, KEITH CAPUTO, SAL ABRUSCATO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind