Oleander was formed by Fred Nelson Jr. (drums), Doug Eldridge (bass guitar), Ric Ivanisevich (guitar) and Thomas Flowers (vocals, guitar) in the mid-90s. Their debut was Oleander, an EP released on Fine Records in 1996, which they followed with the full-length album Shrinking the Blob in 1997. The song "Down When I'm Loaded" became a regional hit, and Oleander signed with Universal Records.
During this time, Nelson left the band and was replaced with Scott Devours. Their major label debut was 1999's February Son which featured the hit singles "Why I'm Here" and "I Walk Alone." After supporting the album with a tour, they released Unwind in 2001. The song "Champion" became a hit, and a symbol of the sacrifice of firefighters during the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.
Some time later, the band parted ways with Universal Records and moved to Sanctuary, where they released Joyride in 2003.
In November, 2003, drummer Scott Devours issued a statement announcing he was leaving the band to join Ima Robot. The decision was amicable.
The band is on an unofficial hiatus. No statement has been released by the band, however vocalist Thomas Flowers is currently collaborating with the band The Black Summer Crush. The Black Summer Crush have parted ways with front-man Thomas Flowers (ex-Oleander). As a result, the band will now be fronted by Jay Buchanan and have changed the band name to The Pleasant Return. Flowers is rumored to be reuniting with his former Oleander band-mates.
Down When I'm Loaded
Oleander Lyrics
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All the things that you do.
Who is to blame for the way that you feel, the way that your living and
The way that you deal.
Who is right when everyone is wrong was it fate that brought you here
Against all your wishes
Who is to blame for the way that you are was it parental supervision or
I get down when i'm loaded
Down when i'm loaded
Oh I get down
Who is to blame for the reasons you feel like it's an all or nothing
Kind of situation
Who is right when everyone is wrong was it fate that brought you here
Against all your wishes
It's the sound of super sad
It's the kind of shit that makes me angry
Your bad, oh waisting your time, your irresponsibility
Yeah, so educated, sooooo
I get down when i'm loaded
Down when i'm loaded
Oh I get down
I get down when i'm loaded
Down when i'm loaded
Oh I get down
In "Down When I'm Loaded," Oleander is addressing questions to the subject of the song. The lyrics are centered around a person who is struggling and feels stuck in their circumstances. The singer is asking the subject who is responsible for their current state of being. They question whether it was due to their upbringing or lack of parental guidance, or if it was just fate that brought them here. They also question who is right when everyone else is wrong because the subject seems to be struggling with reconciling their beliefs and actions.
The chorus, "I get down when I'm loaded," refers to the singer feeling down or sad when they drink or use drugs. The subject is possibly using these substances to cope with their problems and the singer is empathizing with them.
The bridge of the song is a commentary on the subject's behavior. They are wasting their time and being irresponsible. The singer is disappointed in them but still sympathetic to their situation.
Ultimately, "Down When I'm Loaded" is a song about the struggle to understand and overcome personal challenges. The lyrics ask difficult questions and the music reflects the heaviness of the subject matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is to blame for the way that you are, the things that you say and
Wondering about the cause of your behavior, speech, and actions
All the things that you do.
Contemplating the repercussions of all your doings
Who is to blame for the way that you feel, the way that your living and
Pondering over the origin of your emotions, lifestyle and way of living
The way that you deal.
Analyzing your approach to confront and manage situations
Who is right when everyone is wrong was it fate that brought you here
Ruminating about the possibility of being right even when everyone else is incorrect, and whether it was destiny that led you here
Against all your wishes
Despite your desires or hopes otherwise
Who is to blame for the way that you are was it parental supervision or
Asking oneself if it was the guidance of parents or lack thereof that caused one's current state of being
The lack thereof
The absence of parental guidance
I get down when i'm loaded
Feeling low or depressed when under the influence of intoxicating substances
Down when i'm loaded
Feeling low or depressed while intoxicated
Oh I get down
Oh, I feel depressed
Who is to blame for the reasons you feel like it's an all or nothing
Questioning who is at fault for the belief that it's either everything or nothing
Kind of situation
A type of circumstance that creates this all or nothing mentality
It's the sound of super sad
A mood or feeling of great sorrow or melancholy
It's the kind of shit that makes me angry
Referring to frustrating or disappointing situations that evoke anger
Your bad, oh waisting your time, your irresponsibility
Condemning someone for their errors, time wasting and lack of responsibility
Yeah, so educated, sooooo
Sarcastically pointing out that despite someone's education, they still made avoidable mistakes
I get down when i'm loaded
Feeling low or depressed when under the influence of intoxicating substances
Down when i'm loaded
Feeling low or depressed while intoxicated
Oh I get down
Oh, I feel depressed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOUGLAS JAMES ELDRIDGE, FRED ROGER JR. NELSON, RICHARD C. IVANISEVICH, THOMAS ALLAN FLOWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind