From their inception in late 2003, the band's energetic live performances earned them a hardcore fanbase after playing for only a few months on the Manchester music scene. In 2004 the band were signed to Island records and spent the year touring the UK and recording their first studio album with producer Rob Schnapf in Los Angeles. In 2005 Nine Black Alps toured the UK extensively, promoting the release of their debut album, Everything Is on 13th June 2005. Their first U.S. single was Cosmopolitan; their album Everything Is was released in America on February 28, 2006.
The band's second album, again recorded in LA with producer Dave Sardy Love/Hate, was released on 29 October 2007 and heralded a split with Island Records shortly thereafter. However, Nine Black Alps went on to self-finance and record their third full-length album with producer Dave Eringa, entitled 'Locked Out from the Inside'. Only available as a download from the band's own website - http://www.nineblackalps.com, the album was a return to the louder, heavier sounds of the first record.
Nine Black Alps, after a hiatus of almost 2 years, have been back in the studio as a 3-piece recording tracks for a fourth album, with a possible release in 2012.
Never Coming Down
Nine Black Alps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to feel like I'm something, anything.
I wanna talk it out, you need to see I am bleeding, reeling.
It's hard enough to see our bodies rust, without ever touching the ground.
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of ever coming down.
Hate my tragedy
I can't believe what I'm missing, are you listening?
I wanna let you down, you need to see I am falling, calling.
It's hard enough, to see our bodies rust, collapse, fall face down on the ground.
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of letting good friends down.
Ooh...
It's hard enough, to see our bodies rust, without ever touching the ground.
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of never coming down.
The lyrics of Nine Black Alps's song Never Coming Down depict a sense of desperation and a longing to escape reality. The repetition of "Hate my tragedy" suggests a sense of self-loathing, and the desire to "feel like I'm something, anything" implies a lack of purpose or direction. The singer seems to be reaching out for help, wanting to "talk it out" and for someone to acknowledge their pain, as they are "bleeding, reeling." However, there is also a fear of falling or "letting good friends down."
Throughout the song, there is a juxtaposition between the physical decay of "our bodies rust[ing]" and the fear of coming down, meaning returning to normalcy or facing the harsh realities of life. The chorus emphasizes this fear, as it is "killing us, the thought of never coming down." The use of the word "us" implies a shared experience, making it not just a personal struggle, but a societal one. The use of repetition in the song highlights the importance of this struggle and the need to confront it head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Hate my tragedy
I cannot bear my misfortunes and feel a strong aversion towards them
I need to feel like I'm something, anything.
I crave for a sense of identity, no matter how small or insignificant
I wanna talk it out, you need to see I am bleeding, reeling.
I want to express my emotions and make you understand that I am wounded and overwhelmed
It's hard enough to see our bodies rust, without ever touching the ground.
It is difficult to confront the signs of aging and decay, even if they are not always visible
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of ever coming down.
The idea of losing our momentum and passion for life is grave and unbearable
I can't believe what I'm missing, are you listening?
I cannot fathom the things I am deprived of, and seek your attention and empathy
I wanna let you down, you need to see I am falling, calling.
I want to drop my guard and share my vulnerability with you, hoping you will respond
It's hard enough, to see our bodies rust, collapse, fall face down on the ground.
It is tough to bear the physical and metaphorical erosion of our bodies and spirits
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of letting good friends down.
The prospect of betraying our friends or disappointing them is severe and mortifying
It's hard enough, to see our bodies rust, without ever touching the ground.
The challenges of ageing are already daunting, without needing to deal with other obstacles
It's serious, it's killing us, the thought of never coming down.
The fear of being stuck in a rut and never reaching new heights or experiences is paralyzing and lethal
Contributed by Jake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.