Formed in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powderfinger were a rock band from Brisbane, Australia.
Formed in 1989, the band managed to keep the same line up since they hit the big time, Bernard Fanning (Vocals, guitars), Darren Middleton (guitars), Ian Haug (guitars), John Collins (Bass) and Jon Coghill (drums). Powderfinger are winners of nearly every major award in Australia – including the ARIA (Australian Record Industry Awards) for Album of the Year, Best Rock Album and Song of the Year.
Their musical style changed significantly over the years from a predominantly Grunge influenced one (Parables for Wooden Ears, Double Allergic) to their own brand of Alternative Rock on the following albums Internationalist and Odyssey Number 5. Several songs on Vulture street were in tribute to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC and Songs on Dream Days at the Hotel Existence feature a prominent Neil Young influence- to whom they owe their band name from his song of the same name.
The band released seven studio albums and a greatest hits album, Fingerprints - The Best of Powderfinger 1994-2000, in 2004. Their final album, Golden Rule, was released in late 2009. Despite their popularity in Australia, Powderfinger never achieved similar success overseas.
They toured with Silverchair on the "Across the Great Divide" Concert, from August to October 2007, trying to raise awareness of the indigenous people of Australia.
On the 9th of April 2010, it was announced at a press conference and on the band's website that after 20 years together, Powderfinger would be disbanding after their farewell Sunsets Tour. Of the split, frontman Bernard Fanning stated:
With the completion of our last album, Golden Rule, we feel that we have said all that we want to say as a musical group. We firmly believe that it is our most complete and satisfying album and can't think of a better way to farewell our fans than with music that we all believe in and also with, hopefully, our best tour to date.
Living Type
Powderfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To reassure my doubts and faults
And all your fables will ring true
They are the lies you lean on too
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands
You hold the future in your hands
And sullen eyes soothe and command
A graceful mouth, your deadly tool
Too bad the truth has fallen through
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands
The incarnation of a Christ
Manipulation
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands
The cross on your head
What does that say
About the blood on your hands?
The lyrics of the song Living Type by Powderfinger describe a toxic and manipulative relationship. The first two stanzas show the singer's dependence on the person they are addressing - this person is someone who is always ready to "reassure" them, but also someone who relies on "lies" for comfort. The third and fourth stanzas describe this person's physical attributes - they have "sullen eyes" and a "graceful mouth," but they use these attributes as weapons to manipulate others. The fifth stanza references the Biblical figure of Christ, implying that this person is claiming to be a savior while actually causing harm. The final stanza brings back the image of "blood on your hands," suggesting that despite any religious claims, this person is ultimately responsible for their destructive actions.
The repeated refrain "There's love on your breath / I'd better not say / about the blood on your hands" is an intense juxtaposition - love and blood are two opposing ideas, with love typically associated with warmth and kindness, while blood is associated with violence and death. This contrast highlights the way the person being addressed is able to hide their true nature behind a facade of charm and affection.
Line by Line Meaning
And you'll be there to break my fall
I rely on you to support me and help me when I falter.
To reassure my doubts and faults
You provide comfort and help me overcome my insecurities and mistakes.
And all your fables will ring true
Your stories and explanations always sound convincing and believable.
They are the lies you lean on too
However, these stories are just the lies you tell yourself to cope and get through life.
There's love on your breath
You seem to care about me deeply.
I'd better not say
But I can't ignore the signs that something is off.
About the blood on your hands
I suspect you are responsible for something bad or have a dark past.
You hold the future in your hands
You have the power to determine what will happen next.
And sullen eyes soothe and command
Despite appearing unhappy, you still hold authority and influence over others.
A graceful mouth, your deadly tool
You have a charming and convincing way of getting what you want, even if it is harmful to others.
Too bad the truth has fallen through
Unfortunately, your manipulations and lies have caused the truth to become obscured and difficult to discern.
The incarnation of a Christ
You may try to portray yourself as a saintly figure.
Manipulation
But in reality, you use deceptive tactics to get what you want.
The cross on your head
Your religious symbols and beliefs may not match up with your actions.
What does that say
This mismatch raises questions about the morality of your deeds.
About the blood on your hands?
Perhaps your religious convictions are not enough to excuse any wrongdoing.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONATHAN ROBERT COGHILL, JOHN ANDREW COLLINS, BERNARD FANNING, IAN DAVID HAUG, DARREN STUART MIDDLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonyblack3579
You'll be there to break my fall
To reassure my doubts and faults
And all your fables will ring true
They are the lies you lean on to
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands (x2)
You hold the future in your hands
And sullen eyes sooth and command
A graceful mouth, your deadly tool
Too bad the truth as fallen through
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands (x2)
The incarnation of a christ
Manipulation
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands
The cross on your head
Tell me, what does that say
About the blood on your dress
The cross on your head
What does that say
About the blood on your dress
@NickDay
This was the first Finger song i ever heard. I would listen to this on JJJ while driving out to water my mull plants in a state forest. Summer of 95 or 96 or something? I remember thinking "gee these guys are good" - i really liked the melancholy vibe...
@MuzzikLvr
I fell in love with Powderfinger on my trip to Australia in 2006. Everywhere I went I kept hearing their great songs and had no choice.
@brutechurchill9394
Flashback to life before children, mortgages and this feeling of utter emptiness.
@youtoob8166
Im glad im not the only one
@melcrawford9604
Love Powderfinger, this song is one of my favourites 🎵🎼🎶
@jennybutler9643
Love this. My nieces and nephews school bus is in the opening scenes. And my Uncle Mervyn is the old dude outside the shop with the walking stick. He and his friends sat there every day and when the band were scoping places for the video they asked if they could come back the next day and be in the clip. He had know idea who they were. 😂
@BJR1977
Brings back great memories....... still their greatest album, along with Internationalist!
@anthonyblack3579
You'll be there to break my fall
To reassure my doubts and faults
And all your fables will ring true
They are the lies you lean on to
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands (x2)
You hold the future in your hands
And sullen eyes sooth and command
A graceful mouth, your deadly tool
Too bad the truth as fallen through
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands (x2)
The incarnation of a christ
Manipulation
There's love on your breath
I'd better not say
About the blood on your hands
The cross on your head
Tell me, what does that say
About the blood on your dress
The cross on your head
What does that say
About the blood on your dress
@02vxcalais
Love it. Remember when I was just 16 and got this album. Still reckon the best songs powderfinger done was on this album
@ginoportolesi406
02vxcalais agreed. Double allergic my favourite powder finger album it’s so raw