Machine Head's first four albums earned the band a growing fan base in Europe, however the band would not have success in their native United States until later releases. The band drew controversy with its fourth album, Supercharger (2001), released three weeks after the September 11 attacks, which resulted in the album's only single, "Crashing Around You", and its music video (which featured burning buildings) being pulled from all media outlets. The band nearly disbanded in 2002 after negotiating off its label Roadrunner Records as a result of the controversy, however the band would eventually re-sign with the label.
Having experimented with elements of groove metal and nu metal in its early releases, Machine Head changed to a more traditional thrash metal sound and longer songs with its sixth album, The Blackening (2007), which drew critical acclaim and was chosen as Album of the Decade by Metal Hammer in 2010; the album's first single, "Aesthetics of Hate", also earned the band its first Grammy Award nomination. The band achieved similar success with its following two albums, Unto the Locust (2011) and Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014), before returning to its nu metal roots with the release of its ninth album, Catharsis (2018).
Machine Head has released nine studio albums, two live albums, one video album, 13 singles and 15 music videos. Four of the band's studio albums have been certified silver in the United Kingdom, and the band's highest peak on the Billboard 200 came with Bloodstone & Diamonds at number 21. To date, the band has sold over three million records worldwide.
Studio albums
Burn My Eyes (1994)
The More Things Change... (1997)
The Burning Red (1999)
Supercharger (2001)
Through the Ashes of Empires (2003)
The Blackening (2007)
Unto the Locust (2011)
Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014)
Catharsis (2018)
Struck a Nerve
Machine Head Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Courage to kill the pro-life
I don't want to see
You can't change me
You tell me not to bow
Just follow for now
You're oh so holier than thou
The more things change
The more they stay the same
The more things change
The more they stay the same
The more things change
The more they stay the same
Give me patience
To deal with all the strain
Balance to take the
Fuckin' pain
I don't want to fake
And I won't break
We're too happy to be
In our apathy
We smile single
file to the line
The more things change
The more they stay the same
The more things change
The more they stay the same
The more things change
The more they stay the same
So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
We gotta wake up
You don't know you're right
Your right from wrong
We gotta wake up
The lyrics to Machine Head's song "Struck A Nerve" touch on themes of power, courage, change, and apathy in society. The opening lines of "Give me power to end all of the strife, Courage to kill the pro-life" suggest a desire for control and an unwillingness to compromise on deeply held beliefs. The line "I don't want to see, You can't change me" further reinforces this stubbornness and unwillingness to accept other perspectives.
The following lines "You tell me not to bow, Just follow for now, You're oh so holier than thou" suggest a critical attitude towards those who try to impose their beliefs on others. The lyrics acknowledge that change may be necessary, but it can be difficult to achieve, and the repetition of "The more things change, the more they stay the same" emphasizes this frustration with the slow progress of societal change.
As the song progresses, there is a plea for "patience" and "balance" to deal with the "strain" and "pain" of the world. The line "I don't want to fake, And I won't break" reveals a desire for authenticity and resilience in the face of adversity. The repetition of "We're too happy to be in our apathy, We smile single file to the line" suggests a critique of societal conformity and a call to action to "wake up" and realize the need for change.
Overall, the lyrics of "Struck A Nerve" demonstrate a frustration with the status quo and a desire for change, but also acknowledge the difficulty in achieving it. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to resist conformity and apathy and take control of their lives and society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me power to end all of the strife
Grant me the strength to eliminate all conflicts and troubles.
Courage to kill the pro-life
Provide me the bravery to abolish the pro-life movement.
I don't want to see
I refuse to acknowledge or observe what you want me to see.
You can't change me
Your persuasion cannot influence me.
You tell me not to bow
You advise me not to comply or submit.
Just follow for now
For the moment, follow the status quo.
You're oh so holier than thou
You appear to be excessively conceited and sanctimonious.
The more things change
Despite alterations or adjustments,
The more they stay the same
Things remain consistent and unaltered.
Give me patience
Provide me with the ability to endure hardships.
To deal with all the strain
To manage or cope with all the pressure and tension.
Balance to take the
Capability to cope with the
Fuckin' pain
Excruciating discomfort.
I don't want to fake
I don't want to pretend or deceive.
And I won't break
And I won't collapse or crumble.
We're too happy to be
We're content to remain
In our apathy
In our lack of enthusiasm or interest.
We smile single
We smile without our own distinctness.
file to the line
We conform and fall in line with everyone else.
So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Come on, let's go, hurry up.
We gotta wake up
We need to be alert and vigilant.
You don't know you're right
You're unaware or uncertain of what's right.
Your right from wrong
Distinguish between what is right and what is incorrect.
We gotta wake up
We need to be alert and vigilant.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM DUCE, DAVE MCCLAIN, LOGAN CONRAD MADER, ROBERT CONRAD FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind