The first of these albums, The Fake Sound of Progress, was originally recorded for the meager sum of £6000 and intended as a glorified demo, but after catching the ears of several major labels, the band re-recorded and re-released the album on a much wider scale through Columbia Records. This resulted in a backlash against the band that was exacerbated by the four-year gap between their first and second albums. When the second album, Start Something, was finally released, the band achieved even greater success, entering the UK album chart at number five, and earning the band international popularity, most notably in the United States. Their third album entitled Liberation Transmission was released on the 26th of June 2006 in the UK and entered the UK album chart at number one.
In April 2007 Lostprophets began the Final Transmission - the last round of touring of their current album with Aiden and Taking Back Sunday as the confirmed support. The bands played at huge venues such as Wembley Arena. The end the tour, on Saturday 26 May 2007, lostprophets performed at The Full Ponty festival at Pontypridd's Ynysangharad Park. Pontypridd is also the hometown of most of the current band members and so the festival was advertised as "lostprophets homecoming". Other bands at the festival included Reel Big Fish, The Automatic, The Blackout, Gallows and Kids In Glass Houses .Following the tour, the band hit the studio to record their fourth album which Ian Watkins is describing as a return to their roots with heavier punk influences. Watkins says "It will be a lot darker and a lot more intense. It'll have a completely different vibe to it ... but it won't be like Converge or nuthin".
Their 4th studio album "The Betrayed" was released on 19 January 2010.
On 20 December 2012, lead singer Ian Watkins was charged with a host of offences involving sexual activity with minors. The band disbanded in October 2013. Watkins was later convicted and sentenced to twenty-nine years in prison, with six more on extended licence.
Current lineup
Ian Watkins — Vocals
Lee Gaze — Lead Guitar
Mike Lewis — Rhythm Guitar
Stuart Richardson — Bass
Jamie Oliver — Keyboards, Back-up vocals, Turntables
Luke Johnson — Drums
Former members
DJ Stepzak — Turntables
Mike Chiplin — Drums
Ilan Rubin — Drums
Kobrakai
Lostprophets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it always dies,
It's taken aback to....
So what you gonna do now,
But you've got until sundown
Don't look too good, look too bright,
Got it all but want to fight
But you've got till sundown
Step in the car its time to go
You want it back you fell off track
A thousand knives left in my back
Protecting me such an irony
And I told you once I'd never leave,
And all I do and and all I've seen
I drove.
(Some shouting of some sort...go jamie)
So tell me why it all revolves around you,
(I got it I got it I got it..)
And I no in time wot I must do,
(I got it I got it I got it..)
Now I no its time for us to fade,
Say what's awful, want it all today, now
Say what's wrong with you,
Got too much on your mind
And you just don't no where your going
So how you gonna feel now,
But you got until sundown
Don't look too good don't look too bright
Got it all and want to fight
So how you gonna feel now,
But you got until sundown
Step in the car
It's time to go
You want it back, you still attack
A thousand knives left in my back
Protecting me, such an irony
And I told you once I'd never leave
And all I do, and all I see
I drove
(Some shouting of some sort...go jamie go jamie)
So tell me why it all revolves around you,
(I got it I got it I got it..)
And I no in time wot I must do,
(I got it I got it I got it..)
Now I no its time for us to fade,
Say what's awful, want it all today, now
I feel fine now, its my time now
I feel fine now, its my time now
(Break down!)
The lyrics to Lostprophets' song "Kobrakai" speak of leaving behind someone or something that seems to constantly die and then come back to life. The singer seems to have made the decision to say goodbye, but is still uncertain about what the future holds. The song presents a sense of urgency by stating that they only have until sundown to make a move, which adds to the tension the singer is feeling. The lyrics also depict a feeling of frustration, with the singer feeling like they have it all but still want to fight for something more.
The repetition of the phrase "I told you once I'd never leave" suggests that the singer may have gone through this cycle before and is possibly trying to break from it. The song ends with a feeling of empowerment as the singer declares that it is their time now, indicating that the decision to move on has been made and they are ready to face whatever comes next. Overall, "Kobrakai" is a song about letting go of the past and embracing change.
Line by Line Meaning
Say goodbye to you,
This situation is coming to an end and I am going to say farewell to you.
But it always dies,
No matter how much effort we make, things always come to an end.
It's taken aback to....
The situation has made me feel shocked or surprised.
So what you gonna do now,
What actions are you planning to do in response to this situation?
But you've got until sundown
There is a deadline for you to make a decision or take action.
Don't look too good, look too bright,
The situation doesn't look promising or optimistic.
Got it all but want to fight
I have everything I need but still want to fight for more.
So how you gonna feel now
What emotions are you going to feel in response to this situation?
Step in the car its time to go
It's time to leave this situation and move on.
You want it back you fell off track
You want to go back to the way things were but something has gone wrong.
A thousand knives left in my back
I feel betrayed and hurt by many people.
Protecting me such an irony
The people who hurt me are the same ones who were supposed to protect me.
And I told you once I'd never leave,
I promised to always be there and not abandon you.
And all I do and and all I've seen
My experiences and actions have shaped who I am.
I drove.
I was in control and responsible for the outcomes.
So tell me why it all revolves around you,
Why is everything focused on you and your needs?
(I got it I got it I got it..)
I understand what you're saying.
And I no in time wot I must do,
I know what actions I need to take in the future.
Now I no its time for us to fade,
It's time for our situation to come to an end and fade away.
Say what's awful, want it all today, now
It's horrible to want everything right now and not be patient.
Say what's wrong with you,
What's the matter? Why are you behaving this way?
Got too much on your mind
There are too many things to think about or worry about.
And you just don't no where your going
You are lost and unsure of what direction to take.
I feel fine now, its my time now
I feel good and am ready to move on and take control of my life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IAN WATKINS, LEE GAZE, MICHAEL LEONARD CHIPLIN, MICHAEL RICHARD LEWIS, RICHARD JAMES OLIVER, STUART RICHARDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AlexRosendall
That shouting Jaime is doing when the chorus starts would be "I don't want your explanations now, it doesn't work". Best part of the song really.
Ian can't ruin my love for this record. besides, this was more than 10 years prior to that bullshit. It's just music.
@321seb
agreed man. besides the allegations are post this album. this album is so ahead for its time and its a real shame to discount the work of a whole band ian included on this record, for what one disgusting man did further down the line. this album deserves its recognition but the rest and ian deserve their place in shame.
@HoChiMints2007
Oh, now I know what he's screaming about. I thought it was some random stuff, because in live shows Jamie seems to scream different sentences
@jonathanagard3460
Same
@happyears21694
That is Ian because Jamie wasn't in the original/1st release but DJ Stepzak was.
@2128jrandall
I remember being handed the demo that had this track and Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja on it outside of the Metro in Chicago, IL after seeing Cold, Dope, and Flaw. Good times.
Really hate what the singer did but Lost Prophets were a great musical act while they were out there.
@funhouse9566
Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy
@stevejobs3895
LMFAO!!!
@plutofarce
What an immense song!!!!!! I still fudging love it!!!!
@Bestintheworld182
Remember Ian did the crime not the music