In early 2005, Lior released his debut album, "Autumn Flow". The album was nominated for three ARIA Awards: Best Breakthrough Artist, Best Male Artist, and Best Independent Release, the album was also nominated for the J Award, presented by youth radio station Triple J for the "Australian Album of the Year" . Due to the success of "Autumn Flow" in Australia, it was subsequently released overseas.
In 2006 Lior was further nominated for two ARIA Awards for his live album "Doorways of My Mind" - Best Blues and Roots Album; and Best Independent Release.
In February 2008, Lior's second album, "Corner of an endless road" was released.
In 2010, Lior released his third studio album, 'Tumbling into the Dawn'.
The Art Of Cruelty
Lior Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No i don't even want to hesitate
Yeah, it's warm in your sun
But comfort is as cruel as a gun
And i can't reveal what's in my safe
Cuz that would be the end of me
Made up my mind gonna push on alone
But my love for you has a will of it's own
Ooh, and how does the pressure ever ease
Will the battles ever cease
Will the battles ever cease
Ahh and this must be hard to understand
For someone so at peace
For someone so at peace
Caught between the silence and the storm
Every day a new religion born
Oh, my life is a halfway house
And i'm in doubt of ever getting out
Ooh, and how does the pressure ever ease
Will the battles ever cease
Will the battles ever cease
Ahh and this must be hard to understand
For someone so at peace
For someone so at peace
Said i don't want to be somebody's keeping
But my love for you has a will of it's own
In "The Art of Cruelty," Lior delves into the complexities of love and relationships - the struggle between the desire for independence and the need for emotional connection. The opening lines express a desire for freedom from any form of possession, yet Lior acknowledges the pull of love, which he describes as having its own will. He sees comfort as a two-edged sword, capable of both nurturing and destroying, like a gun. The contrast illustrates the paradox of love - its ability to both sustain and bamboozle.
Lior's individualism and the companionship of his lover seem to be at loggerheads. The battles of love and uncertainty rages on as he tries to navigate his sense of identity versus his yearning to be with his lover. The song culminates in an expression of the agonising paradox he faces-poised on the brink of loving somebody completely. He is caught between the silence and the storm, encapsulating the internal struggles of the human heart, which is continually searching for something and seems incapable of ever feeling entirely settled.
Line by Line Meaning
Well i don't want to be somebody's keeping
I refuse to be someone who is controlled by another person
No i don't even want to hesitate
I don't want to waste time in making decisions or taking action
Yeah, it's warm in your sun
Being in your presence gives me a feeling of comfort and safety
But comfort is as cruel as a gun
This feeling of comfort is deceptive and dangerous like a weapon
And i can't reveal what's in my safe
I cannot share my secrets or vulnerabilities with anyone, even with those I love
Cuz that would be the end of me
I fear that exposing my true self would destroy my identity or ruin my life
Made up my mind gonna push on alone
I have resolved to go on my journey alone, without depending on anyone else
But my love for you has a will of it's own
Despite my decision to be independent, I cannot control the feelings I have for you
Ooh, and how does the pressure ever ease
I wonder how I can ever alleviate the pressure and stress I feel
Will the battles ever cease
I question if I will ever overcome my struggles and conflicts
Ahh and this must be hard to understand
It might be difficult for others to comprehend my struggles since they appear calm and at peace
For someone so at peace
Others may see me as someone who is at peace, but inwardly I am dealing with turmoil and strife
Caught between the silence and the storm
I find myself stuck in a situation where there is both calmness and chaos happening at the same time
Every day a new religion born
I encounter new beliefs or ideas that challenge my current way of thinking
Oh, my life is a halfway house
I feel like my life is a temporary dwelling place that is in between where I was and where I want to be
And i'm in doubt of ever getting out
I doubt that I will ever be able to move out of this halfway house and reach my goal
Said i don't want to be somebody's keeping
I emphasize that I do not want to be trapped or controlled by anyone
But my love for you has a will of it's own
Despite my desire for independence, I cannot stop my love for you from existing or influencing me
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.