The band played at the Scandinavian Roskilde Festival in 2004. At one time they were signed to Burning Heart Records, which houses a number of Swedish punk rock and hardcore punk bands.
In 2010 Hagman received a serious electrical shock during a concert in Sundsvall when he touched a power cable which had been punctured by a riot fence. He collapsed on the stage.
The band's album Veil of Ignorance, released in 2009, placed on the Swedish charts and was nominated for a Swedish Grammy Award. Many of the songs on this album were written by Hagman.
In 2013 Raised Fist signed a two-album contract with Epitaph Records. In 2015, after working on the songs for five years, Raised Fist released an album From the North.
Vocalist Alexander appeared in an interview on Swedish television TV4 where he criticizes the EU Directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights in EU countries.
I Have To Pretend
Raised Fist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
like people read my inner secrets on my back.
My fake smile is just looking for someone to please,
sunlight means struggle and I'm lost,
the only time I feel alive is when I fall asleep.
Look into my eyes I promise you’ll find no lies.
But you act like I’m contagious, you make me feel so sad inside.
But they act like I’m contagious, I want to confide.
I just want to satisfy.
Passing through the lines, with different kinds of signs.
Every door in the corridor is a possible cave of hate
and I’m no hero to turn things around,
my backpacks have lots of things inside, definitely not pride.
Looking at my feet, trying not to collide.
And I have to pretend that I still have lots of friends,
that are backing me up but they back me up against the wall,
I guess the story tells it all.
The lyrics to Raised Fist's song I Have To Pretend delve into the feeling of isolation and pretending to be someone else in order to fit in. The opening lines, "feel like I have the wrong outfit, like people read my inner secrets on my back" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer feels uncomfortable and exposed, as if others can see through their facade. The next line, "my fake smile is just looking for someone to please," highlights the performative aspect of social interaction and how it can feel exhausting and insincere. The line "sunlight means struggle and I'm lost" further emphasizes the singer's sense of being lost and uncertain.
The chorus of the song, "look into my eyes I promise you’ll find no lies. But you act like I’m contagious, you make me feel so sad inside. I have to pretend, that I still have friends. But they act like I’m contagious, I want to confide. I just want to satisfy," conveys the singer's desire to be accepted and understood, but also their feelings of rejection and isolation. The reference to feeling "contagious" suggests that others view the singer as something to be avoided, and the line "I just want to satisfy" implies that the singer would do anything to be accepted, even if it means sacrificing their own sense of self.
The last verse of the song, "passing through the lines, with different kinds of signs. Every door in the corridor is a possible cave of hate and I’m no hero to turn things around, my backpacks have lots of things inside, definitely not pride. Looking at my feet, trying not to collide" speaks to the challenges of navigating social situations and the fear of encountering hostility. The singer feels overwhelmed and weighed down, carrying their burdens with them. The line "definitely not pride" suggests that the singer feels ashamed of their true self.
Overall, the lyrics to Raised Fist's song I Have To Pretend paint a vivid picture of the struggle to fit in and be understood, and the pain of feeling isolated and rejected.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel like I have the wrong outfit,
I feel out of place and uncomfortable in my own skin, like I don't fit in with those around me.
like people read my inner secrets on my back.
I feel like everyone can see through me and knows my deepest, darkest secrets just by looking at me.
My fake smile is just looking for someone to please,
I put on a fake smile and act happy just to please others and avoid confrontation, even though I'm really struggling inside.
sunlight means struggle and I'm lost,
Even something as simple as sunlight feels like a struggle for me, and I feel lost both figuratively and literally.
the only time I feel alive is when I fall asleep.
Sleep is the only time I feel at peace and truly alive, because it's the only time I don't have to pretend or worry about anything.
Look into my eyes I promise you’ll find no lies.
I'm being truthful and honest when I say that I have no hidden agenda or reasons to deceive you.
But you act like I’m contagious, you make me feel so sad inside.
Even though I'm being honest, you treat me like I'm untrustworthy and make me feel ashamed and sad.
I have to pretend, that I still have friends.
I feel like I have to pretend that I have friends who support me, even though I actually feel alone and abandoned.
But they act like I’m contagious, I want to confide.
Even though I want to confide in my supposed friends, they treat me like I'm untrustworthy and it makes me feel even more isolated.
I just want to satisfy.
All I want is to feel content and at peace, even if it means pretending or sacrificing my own needs for others.
Passing through the lines, with different kinds of signs.
As I move through life, I encounter all sorts of people and situations, each with their own unique characteristics and challenges.
Every door in the corridor is a possible cave of hate
I feel like every opportunity or path I take poses a potential risk or danger, and I'm constantly on edge as a result.
and I’m no hero to turn things around,
I don't feel like I have the power or strength to change my circumstances or make things better for myself.
my backpacks have lots of things inside, definitely not pride.
I carry a heavy load with me everywhere I go, but it's not filled with things that make me feel proud or accomplished.
Looking at my feet, trying not to collide.
I feel small and insignificant, and I try to avoid confrontation or negative attention by keeping my head down and staying out of the way.
And I have to pretend that I still have lots of friends,
I feel like I have to keep up appearances and fake that I have meaningful relationships, even though I feel alone and unsupported.
that are backing me up but they back me up against the wall,
Even the people who are supposed to be on my side and support me seem to be pushing me into a corner and making me feel trapped and helpless.
I guess the story tells it all.
The situation is pretty clear and obvious, even if I don't want to admit it to myself or others.
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dietger uyttebroek
ad
Feel like I have the wrong outfit
Like people read my inner secrets on my back
My fake smile is just looking for someone to please
Sunlight means struggle and I'm lost
The only time I feel alive is when I fall asleep
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Passing through the lines
With different kinds of signs
Every door in the corridor
Is a possible cave of hate
And I’m no hero to turn things around
My backpacks have lots of things inside
Definitely not pride
Looking at my feet
Trying not to collide
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
And I just want to satisfy
And I have to pretend
That I still have lots of friends
That are backing me up
But they back me up against the wall
I guess
I guess the story tells it all
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Look into my eyes
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
You act like I'm contagious
Look into my eyes
dietger uyttebroek
ad
Feel like I have the wrong outfit
Like people read my inner secrets on my back
My fake smile is just looking for someone to please
Sunlight means struggle and I'm lost
The only time I feel alive is when I fall asleep
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Passing through the lines
With different kinds of signs
Every door in the corridor
Is a possible cave of hate
And I’m no hero to turn things around
My backpacks have lots of things inside
Definitely not pride
Looking at my feet
Trying not to collide
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
And I just want to satisfy
And I have to pretend
That I still have lots of friends
That are backing me up
But they back me up against the wall
I guess
I guess the story tells it all
Look into my eyes
I promise you'll find no lies
But you act like I'm contagious
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
That I still have friends
But they act like I'm contagious
I want to confide
Look into my eyes
You make me feel so sad inside
I have to pretend
You act like I'm contagious
Look into my eyes
iltapiiri
An amazing song. Bought Veil of Ignorance from local store for 2 euros and was eventually blown away :)
Hjelle Nanobryggeri
Passing through the lines, with different kinds of signs. Every door in the corridor is a possible cave of hate And i'm no hero to turn things around, My backpacks have lots of things inside, definitely not pride. Looking at my feet, trying not to collide. And i have to pretend that i still have lots of friends, That are backing me up but they back me up against the wall, I guess the story tells it all.
slipknotsr
These guys are genius and know how to make a good music and sing .They are to perfect.. Raised Fist - Look into my eyes i promise you'll find no lies.
666 jordan
slipknotsr remember in a msg they said huh.
ULFBERTH FROSTHAMMER
youre not alone ! keep it up buddy !
avyion13
second song i've heard from raised fist, the first being "get this right", which i think i got on a warped tour or punk o rama compilation. all i gotta say is, where the fuck have i been? almost reminds me of 'from the ashes'... mind just got blown
alexarw1
Very very good number! :) Raised de bomb
Timmy Lehikoinen
i just love when alex scream :D
666 jordan
False charges