Senses Fail is a post-hardcore/pop-punk band formed in Ridgewood, New Jerse… Read Full Bio ↴Senses Fail is a post-hardcore/pop-punk band formed in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 2002. The band's original lineup consisted of James "Buddy" Nielsen, Dan Trapp, Dave Miller, Garrett Zablocki, and Mike Glita. The band released their debut EP From the Depths of Dreams with a limited 300 copy run on August 13, 2002, through ECA Records. It was then reissued through their new label Drive-Thru Records on April 29, 2003 with two bonus tracks, "Handguns and Second Chances" and "The Ground Folds (acoustic)." Two years later their debut album Let It Enfold You was released, on September 7, 2004, through Vagrant. This album had two popular singles, Buried a Lie and Rum Is for Drinking, Not for Burning - music videos were recorded for both songs.

In 2005 guitarist Dave Miller left the band and was replaced by Heath Saraceno, formerly of Midtown. The band's second full-length album, Still Searching, was released in 2006. They joined Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos in support of the album. Mike Glita then left the band the following year and Jason Black, also a member of Hot Water Music, joined initially as a temporary replacement but ended up remaining in the band. Their third album, Life Is Not a Waiting Room, was released in 2008. Heath Saraceno then left the band after their appearance at the 2009 Warped Tour and was replaced by Zack Roach, also guitarist of post-rock band Spirit of the Stairs.

Senses Fail's fourth album The Fire was released October 25, 2010 through UK label Hassle Records and elsewhere through Vagrant the following day. In February 2011, Garrett Zablocki left the band to attend college and was replaced by Matt Smith, also guitarist for Strike Anywhere.

Cinco De Mayo
Senses Fail Lyrics

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This town had sunk its teeth
Deep inside of me
And now I struggle just to breath

And this used to be my own safety
The side walks the doorknob
And the memories are grey
I'd rather keep them all that way

'Cause I can't relive
All of those nights when I was
Afraid that I wouldn't ever be the same
When I was shaking in a cold sweat
Cursing all the pain I've had
I can't go back to all this!
(The pain I've had)
I can't go back to all this now

Look at me
I'm a mess
A mess of everything
That I never wanted to be

I can't relive
I can't relive
All of those nights when I was
Afraid that I wouldn't ever be the same
When I was shaking in a cold sweat
Cursing all the pain I've had
I can't go back to all this
(The pain I've had)
I can't go back to all this
I can't go back to all this NOW

All of those nights when I was
Afraid that I wouldn't ever be the same
When I was shaking in a cold sweat
Cursing all the pain I've had
I can't go back to all this
(The pain I've had)

I can't go back to all this
I can't go back to all this NOW!

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Senses Fail's song "Cinco De Mayo," the singer expresses a deep sense of being trapped and overwhelmed by their surroundings. The town they once found comfort in now feels suffocating, as if it has consumed them entirely. The imagery of the town sinking its teeth deeply inside the singer suggests a predatory and inescapable grip that is causing them to struggle to breathe. This could metaphorically represent a sense of feeling trapped or stifled in a place or situation that once felt safe and familiar.

The singer reflects on how this town used to be a source of safety and security for them, symbolized by the sidewalks and doorknobs that now seem distant and faded in memory. The memories of the town are described as grey, hinting at a sense of loss or nostalgia for a time when things were clearer and simpler. The singer expresses a desire to keep these memories locked away, perhaps out of fear of revisiting them and being faced with the pain and struggles they represent.

The lyrics delve into the singer's inner turmoil and anxiety, recounting nights filled with fear and uncertainty about their own identity and future. The reference to shaking in a cold sweat and cursing the pain they've endured suggests a profound emotional struggle and a sense of helplessness in the face of past traumas or challenges. The repetition of the refrain "I can't go back to all this now" emphasizes the singer's reluctance to revisit or relive their past experiences, indicating a strong desire to move forward and leave behind the pain and turmoil they have endured.

Overall, the song portrays a powerful sense of inner conflict and turmoil, as the singer grapples with feelings of being trapped in a stifling environment and haunted by painful memories. The lyrics convey a raw and emotional struggle with personal demons and past traumas, highlighting a longing to break free from the weight of the past and find a sense of peace and renewal. The repeated refrain serves as a poignant reminder of the singer's steadfast determination to not be consumed by their past struggles, but rather to move forward and seek a brighter future.

Line by Line Meaning

This town had sunk its teeth
The town has deeply impacted me

Deep inside of me
Leaving a lasting impression within me

And now I struggle just to breathe
Now I find it hard to cope

And this used to be my own safety
This place used to be my refuge

The side walks the doorknob
The familiar surroundings and memories

And the memories are grey
The memories have lost their vibrancy

I'd rather keep them all that way
I prefer not to revisit those memories

Look at me
I am a reflection of

I'm a mess
My life is chaotic

A mess of everything
Culmination of all my struggles

That I never wanted to be
That I never intended to become

I can't go back to all this NOW!
I cannot revisit that pain and turmoil now

Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: DANIEL GERARD TRAPP, GARRETT MICHAEL ZABLOCKI, HEATH MATTHEW SARACENO, JAMES ANTHONY BUDDY NIELSEN, MICHAEL JOHN GLITA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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