The band has sold over five million albums worldwide, won four Juno Awards, and ten MuchMusic Video Awards. OLP has released eight studio albums to date, with "Clumsy" often being considered the most popularized of the set. The Heavyweight Songfacts reports that their eighth studio album Curve was recorded from 2010 through 2012 at vocalist Raine Maida's home recording studio. It was released on April 3, 2012.
Full circle: a theme that eagerly resonates with each member of multiplatinum survivors, Our Lady Peace. As the band approached the release of their seventh studio album, a feeling of renewal and excitement washed over Toronto’s favorite sons in a manner not felt since their earliest days.
Self-produced in lead singer Raine Maida’s Los Angeles home studio, the 10-track Burn Burn (in stores July 21 2009), marks the longest period between studio albums for Our Lady Peace. It also signifies a sonic and philosophical rebirth. The band now enjoys a creative and professional freedom that they haven’t experienced since the release of their now classic debut. “I think about the way we made Naveed,” Maida recalls. “We were just starting, we knew nothing about the business and we had no expectations. It was four guys in a room just trusting their instincts. We went back to that. ‘Liberating’ doesn’t really even sum it up.”
Burn Burn is a triumphant return to what Maida terms “a proper, mature rock album,” steeped in the kind of raw intensity that drove their early material. Blinding rays of anthemic light make way to the tender poise and precision of a band that was looking for a way out and found a satisfying new way in.
With caution thrown to the wind, tracks such as the stunningly arranged “Dreamland” and the overpowering first single, “All You Did Was Save My Life,” soar above angry clouds of confusion and insecurity with an ascending clarity that can only come from experience and growth.
The pounding affirmation of “The Right Stuff” and the vigilant build of band favorite “Refuge,” also reinforce the notion that OLP now occupy a unique and enviable mindspace. “We’re not looking back with any kind of regret,” Maida points out, “but we’ve been doing this long enough now that we know what we want to say. We didn’t want to compromise a thing.”
Having scattered in different directions after the release of 2005’s Healthy In Paranoid Times, all four members took on projects of their own, ranging from solo records, production and songwriting work, tours and guest performances. Over the last two years, Raine Maida, guitarist Steve Mazur, bassist Duncan Coutts and drummer Jeremy Taggart sporadically reconvened and lived at Madia’s home, creating what he calls their best effort to date.
Members would leave each session without tapes, giving themselves a much fresher perspective on the material they created when they returned. Producing themselves and an adherence to rolling tape off the floor gave birth to an urgent, natural body of work. “We didn’t put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” Coutts confirms. “We left things alone and haven't done that in a long time."
“For us,” adds Maida, “a big part of this band is playing live. It has to be something that we’re going to enjoy; a real dynamic collection of songs. When we really started to understand that, the record took on this whole other life.”
This work ethic allowed room for guitarist Steve Mazur, who joined the band in 2002, to blossom on Burn Burn. “On this album I really felt comfortable with my role and what I sound like as the guitarist of Our Lady Peace.” Mazur shines on tracks such as “Escape Artist” and “Paper Moon,” a song where Mazur’s solowork was nailed on the first go-round.
Our Lady Peace is also striking out on their own professionally this time around, opting for what the band terms a “true partnership” with both North American record labels. “We’ve never been this prepared for an album,” adds OLP founding member Jeremy Taggart. “In the past, we’ve never had the foresight to have maybe two or three singles in the can already with videos, etc.”
“Nobody knows us better than ourselves,” Taggart continues. “We didn’t over think a good song or idea or under think anything. The good songs really picked themselves.”
Made Of Steel
Our Lady Peace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you want me to be
A punching bag
A piece of string, no
That reminds you not to think
They found the note down in your car
It's not your fault it gets this hard
[Chorus]
Hold your head high
Don't look down
I'm by your side
I won't back down
You wanted a hero tonight
Well I'm not made of steel
I'm not made of steel
But your secret's safe with me
I can be anything
That you want me to be
A holy cross
Some sympathy, no
That reminds you how to bleed
They found the note down in your car
You climbed up here to fall apart
Fall apart
[Chorus]
No, your secret's safe with me
They knock you down
I'll pick you up
They laugh at you
I'll shut them up
But I'm not made of steel [Repeat x4]
But your secret's safe with me
Yeah, your secret's safe with me
Yeah
Hold your head high
Don't look down
I'm by your side
I won't back down
You wanted a hero tonight
The opening lines of the verse, "I can be anything that you want me to be, A punching bag, A piece of string, no That reminds you not to think" suggests that the singer is willing to be anything for the listener, no matter how trivial or unimportant it may be. The imagery of a "punching bag" or a "piece of string" shows that the singer is willing to be used and abused in order to please the listener, instead of being one's own person. The line "that reminds you not to think" indicates that the listener may be using the singer as a distraction from their own problems or feelings.
The chorus, "Hold your head high, Don't look down, I'm by your side, I won't back down, You wanted a hero tonight, Well, I'm not made of steel, I'm not made of steel, But your secret's safe with me" suggests that the listener is in need of support and comfort, and even though the singer cannot be a hero or provide a solution to the listener's problems, they are still there for them. The line "I'm not made of steel" refers to the fact that the singer is not invincible or all-powerful, but they are still willing to be a support system for the listener. The phrase "your secret's safe with me" shows that the singer is trustworthy and loyal, and will not judge the listener for whatever they may confide in them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Made of Steel" convey a theme of loyalty and support, with the singer willing to be anything for the listener and provide a safe space for them to express themselves. The imagery and metaphors used throughout the song add depth and emotion to the lyrics, and the chorus highlights the importance of being there for someone even if you cannot solve their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
I can be anything
I am willing to adapt to fit your needs and desires.
That you want me to be
I will transform myself to be the person you want me to be.
A punching bag
I will endure your frustrations and emotions regardless of how severe they are.
A piece of string, no
But I won't allow you to use me as a disposable object.
That reminds you not to think
However, I refuse to let you silence your thoughts and feelings for the sake of convenience.
They found the note down in your car
Someone discovered a distressing message in your car.
It's not your fault it gets this hard
I don't blame you for your struggles and the difficulties life brings your way.
Gets this hard
Life can be tough and challenging.
Hold your head high
Stand tall and project confidence.
Don't look down
Don't let your struggles and anxieties consume you.
I'm by your side
I am here to support you through thick and thin.
I won't back down
I am committed to standing up for you and your needs.
You wanted a hero tonight
You seek someone who can provide reassurance and protection.
Well I'm not made of steel
I am not invincible and can be affected by life's challenges and obstacles.
But your secret's safe with me
However, you can trust me to safeguard your confidences and vulnerabilities.
A holy cross
I can offer you guidance and spiritual support in times of need.
Some sympathy, no
But I won't merely offer empty platitudes and meaningless commiseration.
That reminds you how to bleed
I will help you to confront and acknowledge the pain and hurt you are experiencing.
You climbed up here to fall apart
You sought refuge in this specific location so that you can let your emotions out and have your breakdown.
Fall apart
You are struggling to keep yourself together.
No, your secret's safe with me
I will not reveal any confidential or sensitive information you've shared with me.
They knock you down
Others will try to bring you down and undermine you.
I'll pick you up
But I will be there to support you and help you to rise again.
They laugh at you
People may make fun of you, ridicule you or belittle you.
I'll shut them up
But I will defend your dignity, and confront anyone who tries to mistreat or shame you.
Yeah, your secret's safe with me
I will keep your vulnerabilities a secret, and offer you emotional and spiritual support through your journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUNCAN COUTTS, JEREMY TAGGART, MICHAEL MAIDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Herman Lourens
What the young generation of today has missed. Still an amazing song
Video Demon
This song should have been a huge single
Video Demon
@Shogun Did they never place this song live? That sucks and this song makes me feel so happy when I'm down!
ST5255
I think the vocals turn some folks off, i personally love his voice. However i didn't at first, but then this very album showed what they were capable. All just my opinion of course. Im a big fan, fantastic song writing, perfect blend of rock/pop, & it makes me feel!
mamagroots
They should also be much more popular and heard of
mamagroots
Agreed
william grondines
love this song
Burggartenjunge
you never know what you get, they are a rollercoaster
Rameen
A song from me to myself.
Gobell ツ
Let's go dude 🔥🔥🔥