In 1996, Lifetime issued a compilation of their 7" releases and unreleased songs, on Glue Records, also released in Europe by Day After Records. In 1997, the band completed its third full-length Jersey's Best Dancers. With twelve songs clocking in at under 24 minutes, Jersey's Best Dancers continued in the same vein as Hello Bastards. However, after a short tour in support of their new album, Lifetime decided to disband in 1997.
After disbanding, Dan Yemin went on to become a member of two other punk bands, the short-lived Kid Dynamite & Paint It Black. Dave Palaitis, Ari Katz and, his wife, Tannis Kristanjson went on to form Zero Zero.
Most recently, the band got together for a series of three well-received reunion shows, over the weekend of 19 to 21 Aug 2005. The shows were a result of the cancellation of Hellfest, in which Lifetime was scheduled to play on 20 Aug (Saturday). Two shows took place in Philadelphia, one at The Trocadero Theatre (where they played with Vision) & one, 20 Aug, at the Starlight Ballroom (featured the reunion of hardcore band 108). The final reunion show was held at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park, New Jersey), which featured opening bands The Loved Ones & The Bouncing Souls. Some profits from the show went to charities such as New Labor, The OUT Fund, the Nature Conservancy & Linda Ann's Greyhound Rescue Inc.
On 14 Nov 2005, Jade Tree Records announced that Lifetime would be playing three more reunion shows, on a January weekend, in California: Troubadour (Los Angeles, 27 Jan), Chain Reaction (Anaheim, 28 Jan) & Slims (San Francisco, 29 Jan).
On 17 Nov 2005, it was officially announced that the band would reform. In March 2006, the band announced that they were signing to Decaydence (Pete Wentz's imprint of Fueled by Ramen records) & the fourth album's release - self-titled, Lifetime - followed Feb 2007.
Background
Lifetime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I fight for a breath of air search but it's not there
In this sea of people I find I am not an equal
I'm not satisfied should my dreams be denied
Catch me at a good time see a man with a purpose
Otherwise you'll find me with the rest blending into the background
I want to kick myself but I'm busy resting
I wonder why I complain when I'm equally to blame
Its feeling living breathing its the life for those who love living its outrage
Energy compassion not hate not violence or fashion
So I ask you and I'm left to wonder
What you'll do when you've dragged it under
Find who's to blame the ones who destroy or the ones who let it happen
The song "Background" by Lifetime explores the struggle to find individuality in a world where it seems like everyone is just blending into the background. The opening lines express the difficulty of staying afloat in the sea of people, even when putting up a fight. Despite the effort, the singer is unable to find the breath of air they need to keep going, and they feel unequal in comparison to those around them. The chorus describes how the singer is often just another face in the crowd, blending into the background unless they're feeling particularly purposeful.
The second verse adds to the theme of self-doubt and insecurity, with the singer wondering why they complain when they're just as responsible for their own unhappiness. The lyrics then take a turn towards a commentary on hardcore music and its culture. The band argues that hardcore is not just a background beat for dancing, but a way of life for those who love living it. They describe it as being about energy and passion, not hate or fashion, and question who is to blame for its decline: those who actively destroy it or those who simply let it fade away.
Overall, "Background" paints a picture of frustration with conformity and a desire for individuality. It explores the difficulties of standing out in a crowded world and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I fight to keep afloat I go under none the less
I struggle to keep my head above water and stay alive, but sometimes I fail and sink.
I fight for a breath of air search but it's not there
I struggle to find air to breathe, but sometimes it's not available.
In this sea of people I find I am not an equal
Among all these people, I feel like I don't belong or that I'm inferior to others.
I'm not satisfied should my dreams be denied
I'm not content with having my dreams unrealized or being unable to achieve what I want in life.
Catch me at a good time see a man with a purpose
If you meet me at a good time, you'll see that I have a clear intention or goal in life.
Otherwise you'll find me with the rest blending into the background
Otherwise, I'll be just like everyone else, trying to fit in and not standing out from the crowd.
I want to kick myself but I'm busy resting
I regret something I did, but I'm too busy relaxing to do something about it.
I wonder why I complain when I'm equally to blame
I question why I'm complaining about something when I'm just as responsible for it happening.
Hardcore is not a background beat for you to move your dancing feet
Hardcore music is not just a backdrop for dancing, but it's something that people who are passionate about it live and breathe.
Its feeling living breathing its the life for those who love living its outrage
Hardcore music is not just a sound, but it's a lifestyle for those who are passionate about it, and it's something that evokes strong emotions.
Energy compassion not hate not violence or fashion
Hardcore music is about having energy and compassion, not promoting hate, violence, or following a trend.
So I ask you and I'm left to wonder
I pose a question to you, but I'm uncertain what your answer will be.
What you'll do when you've dragged it under
What will you do when you've caused something to fail or to be ruined?
Find who's to blame the ones who destroy or the ones who let it happen
Should you blame those who caused something to fail or those who have allowed it to happen?
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ari Zev Katz, Daniel Benjamin Yemin, David J Palaitis, Peter M Martin, Scot Golley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Perri
@sean Decastro Well, unfortunately I've never heard of eno-core! 😂 but I'm guessing emo-core is just a bit harder... On another note:
Dag Nasty- Wig out at Denko's.
411- this isn't me.
Egg Hunt 7"
Farside- all music.
Split Lip 7", For the love of the wounded.
Shadow Season 7"
Godspeed (more ex Turning Point)
All essential "emo" records that not everyone knows.
urbex mafia
Thanks for uploading this. I have this on vinyl first pressing (not sure if they ever repressed or not). so good!!
Carlos R
I was expecting more of the same Lifetime, but this album hits differently. good shit!
Dan Martin
Their best work. So melodic , Scott and Justin were amazing in this band.
Giorgio Fois
Best real emo band ever
Jack Lark
Dude hasn’t heard Texas is the reason
Thought Police
Rites of spring?
Joey K
Yup
Money Marc
This and their first few 7 inch records were their best for me. Hell, everything after this was also damn fantastic.
SeattleHC
Lifetime Outspoken Undertow Strife Strain Unbroken....1993 was epic
William Perri
Resurrection, Flagman, Disregard, Mouthpiece and Split Lip!