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.
Shot Down
Nine Black Alps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Funny how they really live.
Drag you down, and, pull you in, and,
Tell you nice you'll never win.
Pretty good at, laying low,
It's the, only place you'll ever go.
Prison doors, sound like, wedding bells,
I don't like this place.
I don't like what it's become.
You can hide your face,
You can always hide your guns.
Shot down, spun round, strung out.
Still around, somehow.
In the human race,
There's a space for everyone.
You can save yourself.
You can always kill your sons.
Shot down, spun round, strung out.
Still around, somehow.
The song "Shot Down" by Nine Black Alps is about feeling trapped in a place or situation and struggling to break free. The first verse highlights the idea that despite the potential for a different life, many people remain stuck "in the only place you'll ever go" due to the negative influences around them. The imagery of prison doors sounding like wedding bells adds a sense of hopelessness to the situation. The second verse touches on the idea of wishing for change but feeling as though it is out of reach.
The chorus features repeated lines about being "shot down, spun round, strung out" which conveys a sense of being beaten down but continuing to persevere somehow. The second half of the chorus suggests that while there is a place for everyone in the world, it is up to the individual to take control of their fate - they can either "save themselves" or metaphorically "kill their sons" (meaning to let go of their past and start fresh).
Overall, the lyrics of "Shot Down" paint a bleak picture of feeling trapped and struggling against the societal and environmental factors that hold people back.
Line by Line Meaning
Funny how, could have lived, yeah.
It's funny how one could've lived a different life altogether.
Funny how they really live.
It's ironic how some people's lives differ from one's own.
Drag you down, and, pull you in, and,
Things can easily weigh one down and lead one into unwanted situations.
Tell you nice you'll never win.
People can be deceitful and tell one they won't succeed even if it's not true.
Pretty good at, laying low,
One can be adept at keeping a low profile.
It's the, only place you'll ever go.
Living a life off the grid may be the only option for some people.
Prison doors, sound like, wedding bells,
The sound of prison doors may signify doom, but to some, it could mean a newfound commitment.
As you, ask for change at the wishing well.
In dire situations, one may turn to wishing for help.
I don't like this place.
One doesn't enjoy their current situation.
I don't like what it's become.
One doesn't like the way things have changed over time.
You can hide your face,
One can conceal their identity.
You can always hide your guns.
One can store weapons away for safekeeping.
Shot down, spun round, strung out.
Feeling defeated, disoriented, and overwhelmed by life's circumstances.
Still around, somehow.
Despite the difficult circumstances, one is still persevering.
In the human race,
Throughout the world and among all people,
There's a space for everyone.
There is a place and a purpose for everyone in society.
You can save yourself.
One can work to improve their situation on their own.
You can always kill your sons.
In extreme situations, some may resort to sacrificing their own children for their own survival.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: MARTIN COHEN, SAMUEL FORREST, JAMES GALLEY, DAVID SAMUEL JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind