Fender was a teenager when he began performing in pubs throughout North Shields, England. He was spotted in a pub by Ben Howard's manager, Owain Davies, who then got him to support for Willy Mason.
Fender has gone on to release 2 studio albums (Hypersonic Missiles, 2019) (Seventeen Going Under, 2021) and play on the main stages of Festivals such as Reading & Leeds, TRSNMT and Glastonbury.
Long Way Off
Sam Fender Lyrics
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The sides are all cemented
Their incentives look the same
Are they vetted in the same ways?
As the little guy puts blood and tears
Into pushing deadweight on the capital steps
Bleeding out for a caricature of a '50s salesman
Hare checklist, tickin' every box
Standing on the side, I never was the silent type
All the endless grey conundrums that are painted black and white
I heard a hundred million voices sound the same both left and right
We're still a long way off
We're still a long way off
Some get along with it
They drag around from town to town
With a pretty lie that hoodwinked many of my loved ones
And I owe it to my folks for giving me an understanding
Of a world that shot my people down
The hungry and divided play into the hands of the man who put 'em there
So it goes
Standing on the side, I never was the silent type
All the endless grey conundrums that are painted black and white
Heard a hundred million voices sound the same both left and right
We're still a long way off
We're still a long way off
We're still a long way off
Standing on the side, I never was the silent type
All the endless grey conundrums that are painted black and white
Heard a hundred million voices sound the same both left and right
We're still a long way off
We're still a long way off
We're still a long way off
The lyrics of Sam Fender's song Long Way Off are a commentary on the current state of society and politics, and the ways in which people are manipulated and exploited by those in power. The opening lines, "I've seen enough of it, the sides are all cemented" suggest that the singer has become disillusioned with the political system, and sees it as a fixed game in which the wealthy and powerful always come out on top. The line "Are they vetted in the same ways?" implies that those in power may not have been truly scrutinized and held to account, leading to corruption and injustices.
The next few lines describe the struggles of everyday people who are trying to make their voices heard in a system that seems rigged against them. The "little guy" is putting in hard work, but is met with so much resistance at every turn, and even when some progress is made, it feels like it's not enough - "bleeding out for a caricature of a '50s salesman". The refrain "We're still a long way off" suggests that even though people are working to achieve change, there is still such a long way to go before they can truly succeed.
The second verse of the song offers a more personal perspective on these issues. The singer acknowledges that some people are able to buy into the lies of those in power, and are content to move from place to place without fully understanding the consequences of their actions. The singer says they owe it to their loved ones to understand the realities of the world, including those who have been oppressed and marginalized. The final line "so it goes" seems to suggest that, despite all of these struggles and injustices, this is just the way things are and there's nothing that can be done about it.
Overall, Sam Fender's Long Way Off is a powerful critique of the political and social systems that perpetuate inequality and injustices, and a call to action for people to keep fighting for change despite the long road ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen enough of it
I've witnessed too much of this world and its ways.
The sides are all cemented
People have chosen their sides and are unwilling to budge.
Their incentives look the same
Those in power all seem to want the same outcome, regardless of their supposed differences.
Are they vetted in the same ways?
Do those in power have to go through the same rigorous process as the common people?
As the little guy puts blood and tears
The common people are giving everything they have to succeed.
Into pushing deadweight on the capital steps
They are trying to make progress but are met with obstacles at every turn.
Bleeding out for a caricature of a '50s salesman
They are sacrificing themselves for an image of success that is outdated and false.
Hare checklist, tickin' every box
They are following a list of requirements to succeed, but it feels like a rigged game.
Dead for what?
What is the point of sacrificing so much for a system that does not value them?
Standing on the side, I never was the silent type
I have always been vocal about my opinions and beliefs, even if it meant standing apart from the crowd.
All the endless grey conundrums that are painted black and white
Many complex issues are boiled down to two simplistic sides, ignoring the nuances and complexities involved.
I heard a hundred million voices sound the same both left and right
People on all sides parrot the same opinions without thinking for themselves or considering opposing views.
We're still a long way off
We still have a lot of progress to make before things are truly fair and just.
Some get along with it
Some people are able to accept the flawed system and live within its boundaries.
They drag around from town to town
They are constantly moving, unable to put down roots or find stability in their lives.
With a pretty lie that hoodwinked many of my loved ones
They are lured in by illusions of success that end up being false promises.
And I owe it to my folks for giving me an understanding
I am grateful to my family for teaching me about the injustices of the world and how to fight against them.
Of a world that shot my people down
I am aware of the violence and oppression that my community has faced, and how it continues to affect us today.
The hungry and divided play into the hands of the man who put 'em there
Those who are struggling are more likely to be taken advantage of and exploited by those in power.
So it goes
This is the sad reality of the world we live in.
We're still a long way off
We still have a lot of progress to make before things are truly fair and just.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sam Fender
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind