One King Down was an Albany, NY, based metalcore band heavily influenced by… Read Full Bio ↴One King Down was an Albany, NY, based metalcore band heavily influenced by such scene contemporaries as Snapcase and Earth Crisis. The group formed in the mid-'90s, centered around the brotherly team of bassist Bill Scoville and guitarist Mike Scoville, along with guitarist Matt Wood and drummer Derrick Van Wie. With their original singer, they crafted a CD EP for Trainwreck Records, but it was with energetic frontman Rob Fusco, and Equal Vision Records (for whom Bill worked for a number of years), that One King Down really made their mark on the international hardcore punk scene. The diminutive Fusco's growl and lyrical espousing of the vegan straight-edge lifestyle (not all of the band's members were vegans, or even vegetarians, but they were all drug-free) garnered them attention from all over the U.S. and Europe. Coupled with the band's stop-and-go rhythms and dancefloor-moving heavy groove, Fusco's vocals were put to tape for the Bloodlust Revenge EP, released by Equal Vision in 1997 and still regarded by most fans as the band's finest recorded hour. The group toured with Erie, PA's Brothers Keeper and other bands, selling several thousand copies of the record at shows and through major independent distribution channels. They also released a split EP with Spirit of Youth through Europe's Good Life Recordings. Internal friction caused the ousting of Fusco shortly before the band was to embark on a national tour supporting Earth Crisis and Madball, to be followed by another trek with Hatebreed. One King Down scrambled to find a replacement, inviting then Burn It Down vocalist Ryan Downey to fill in for them. This union only lasted for two shows before the singer-less One King Down returned home to regroup. Eventually, they teamed up with Syracuse native Jon Peters, who lent his vocals to the band's debut full-length album, 1998's God Loves, Man Kills. After subsequent touring, Peters left the band and they split up for a short time. Mike Scoville auditioned for the Foo Fighters, but the job ultimately went to someone else. One King Down re-formed and Fusco was eventually invited to rejoin. They played a few shows before Van Wie left the group, with Wood switching to drum duties as the Albany band pared down to a four-piece. One King Down released the Gravity Wins Again EP in 2000, a collection of newly penned songs together with older, previously recorded tracks. In 2001, after skipping an appearance at Syracuse, NY's Hellfest, it appeared that the band was done once and for all.

Who I Am
One King Down Lyrics

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Merit less intoxication straight edge, my liberation i sever all ties from poison and greed placing distance between me and that wich i don't need proud to be who i am i make this choice for me and no other human i live this way for myself i hold to my own values and no one else's but to be addicted to the edge is to be all that we've fought against to become that what we most despise vain pride will only lead to our demise don't be as guilty as they of suffering from dependency don't lack compassion when you judge and pass sentence be an asset to positive change not a menace the ignorant displays of our views only make us as guilty as those who we accuse it's sad to see so many embrace these ways intollerance only causes pain i stand strong i've built my own edge my pride is firmly planted in solid ground not on a false edge i've seen the way through other's past mistakes i'll keep a clear head in deciding what path it is that i should take all this pious justice is just a faillure's trend unwarrented aggression solves nothing in the end i'll cast no stones on those who live a different way i'm confident and secure enough not to fear diversity my interest doesn't lie in what's in your glass i'm only concerned with what's in your heart what's in your heart are you for real are you cold and lifeless or do you feel do you have emotion or are you fake do you live your life for you or is it based on false hate choose drugs free for you be proud but let the others be

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to One King Down's "Who I Am" are a declaration of the singer's commitment to a straight edge lifestyle. He rejects the "poison and greed" of addiction and instead values a life that aligns with his own personal beliefs and values. He acknowledges the dangers of becoming "addicted to the edge," becoming so obsessed with the values of the straight edge movement that one becomes closed-minded and intolerant toward those who make different choices. He emphasizes the importance of having compassion and being an agent of positive change rather than a source of aggression and intolerance.

The song is a powerful reflection on the principles of the straight edge movement, which emerged in the punk and hardcore music scenes of the 1980s. Straight edge is a lifestyle that emphasizes a commitment to sobriety, self-discipline, and individualism. Followers of the straight edge movement often adorn themselves with X symbols to show their commitment, and many have embraced the movement as a form of rebellion against the excesses and consumerism of mainstream society.

Despite its emphasis on individualism, however, the straight edge movement has faced criticism over the years for its potential to become dogmatic and intolerant. One King Down's "Who I Am" encourages listeners to stay true to their beliefs without succumbing to a rigid ideology or sense of superiority over those who choose to live differently. It is a reminder that, ultimately, the most important thing is to live in a way that aligns with our own values and principles.

Line by Line Meaning

Merit less intoxication straight edge, my liberation
I am free from the influence of harmful substances and choose to live a straight edge lifestyle for my own liberation and well-being.

i sever all ties from poison and greed
I distance myself from toxic things and people, and avoid becoming consumed by greed.

placing distance between me and that wich i don't need
I prioritize my own needs and eliminate unnecessary things or people from my life.

proud to be who i am i make this choice for me
I take pride in my personal choice to live a straight edge lifestyle for myself, and not for anyone else's approval or influence.

i hold to my own values and no one else's
I have my own set of values and beliefs, and do not allow others to sway or dictate them.

but to be addicted to the edge is to be all that we've fought against
However, becoming addicted to the straight edge lifestyle would contradict the very principles we stand for and oppose.

to become that what we most despise
It would be counterproductive to become what we loathe or reject.

vain pride will only lead to our demise
Excessive pride and arrogance can be harmful to ourselves and our cause in the long run.

don't be as guilty as they of suffering from dependency
We should not judge or criticize others who struggle with addiction or dependency, as we ourselves can be guilty of similar struggles.

don't lack compassion when you judge and pass sentence
When we pass judgment or make decisions, it is important to approach them with empathy and understanding rather than harshness or indifference.

be an asset to positive change not a menace
We should strive to be a positive force for change rather than a negative or destructive one.

the ignorant displays of our views only make us as guilty as those who we accuse
If we allow our beliefs and actions to become ignorant and intolerant, we are no better than those we condemn.

it's sad to see so many embrace these ways intollerance only causes pain
It is disheartening to see intolerance and close-mindedness prevail, as they only create more harm and suffering.

i stand strong i've built my own edge my pride is firmly planted in solid ground not on a false edge
I am confident in myself and my choices, and have developed my own interpretation and application of the straight edge lifestyle based on a firm foundation of personal values and beliefs.

i've seen the way through other's past mistakes i'll keep a clear head in deciding what path it is that i should take
I have learned from the mistakes and experiences of others, and will make my own informed decisions based on a clear and rational mindset.

all this pious justice is just a faillure's trend
The self-righteous and hypocritical pursuit of justice is ultimately a failed and ineffective approach.

unwarrented aggression solves nothing in the end
Acts of aggression or violence without cause or justification ultimately achieve nothing of real value.

i'll cast no stones on those who live a different way
I will not judge or criticize those who choose to live differently from me.

i'm confident and secure enough not to fear diversity
My confidence and security allows me to embrace and accept diversity in others, rather than fear or reject it.

my interest doesn't lie in what's in your glass
I am not concerned with what substance someone may consume or not consume.

i'm only concerned with what's in your heart
I judge someone based on their character and inner qualities, rather than external factors or superficial attributes.

what's in your heart are you for real
The true nature and authenticity of a person lies within their heart and their intentions.

are you cold and lifeless or do you feel
A person's emotional capacity and sensitivity is an important aspect of their character and humanity.

do you have emotion or are you fake
Genuine authenticity and emotional expression is valued over fake or insincere personas.

do you live your life for you or is it based on false hate
Living one's life based on personal values and motivations is preferable to living off of hate or negativity towards others.

choose drugs free for you be proud but let the others be
It is important to make one's own conscious decision to live drug-free, but we should also respect others' choices and allow them to make their own decisions.

Writer(s): Freddie Harper Byrd, Shawntae Harris, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Lonnie Seal

Contributed by Gabriel M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS