From their third album (Neon Ballroom) onward, the band have tried to experiment with slightly more complex song structures, pop influences, and the usage of orchestral backing on a few songs, most notably on their fourth album Diorama with composer Van Dyke Parks contributing to three of the tracks. This change is shown on their performance in their only live album "Live At Faraway Stables" where the band plays two sets - the first comprising newer material where they are backed by two keyboardists to simulate orchestral arrangements, and the second containing their earlier material.
2007 saw the release of the band's latest album Young Modern, featuring the lead single Straight Lines; the song reached number one on the ARIA singles charts. The album was supported by a full tour of North America (their first since 1999), and an extensive tour of Australia and New Zealand with fellow Aussie post-grunge rockers Powderfinger, entitled "Across the Great Divide."
To quote Daniel Johns, "I've been thinking a lot since we finished [[album artist=Silverchair]Young Modern] about where this fits into the other stuff we've done. The way I see it, the first album was naivete, the second one was anger, the third one was depression and the last one was escapism. Young Modern is all about acceptance."
The band announced an indefinite hiatus in May 2011:
"We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then ... if the band stops being fun and if it's no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop. [...] Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment. Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we're putting Silverchair into "indefinite hibernation" and we've decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future".
—Daniel, Ben and Chris, chairpage.com (Silverchair Official Website), 25 May 2011.
Members:
* Daniel Johns (vocals, guitar)
* Chris Joannou (bass)
* Ben Gillies (drums)
Albums:
* Tomorrow (EP) (1994)
* Frogstomp (1995)
* Freak Show (1997)
* Neon Ballroom (1999)
* The Best Of - Volume One (2000)
* Diorama (2002)
* Rarities 1994-1999 (2002)
* Live From Faraway Stables (2CD & DVD) (2003)
* Young Modern (2007)
Abuse Me
Silverchair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calling out my name
Nothing seems to bother
Wish I had a clue
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Well, I don't think you like me
Well, I hate you as well
Wish I couldn't tell
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard, overboard
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard, overboard
The lyrics of "Abuse Me" by Silverchair are open to interpretation, but the general theme is one of pain and self-destructive behavior. The singer is in a state of confusion and self-loathing, and seeks out abuse and ridicule as a form of release.
The repeated refrain "Come on, abuse me more I like it" suggests a masochistic tendency, with the subject finding pleasure in being mistreated. The line "No one seems to like you, wish I couldn't tell" shows a level of insecurity, and a need for approval and acceptance. The final section of the song, where the chorus is replaced with the phrase "Throw the sailors overboard", is more opaque, but could suggest a desire for a complete break from reality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Abuse Me" are dark and introspective, portraying a complex emotional state that is hard to fully understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Need to ask a question
I have a question I need to ask
Calling out my name
Someone is calling my name
Nothing seems to bother
It seems like nothing bothers me
Wish I had a clue
I wish I knew what was going on
Come on, abuse me more I like it
I enjoy being abused and want more of it
Well, I don't think you like me
I think you don't like me
Well, I hate you as well
I also hate you
No one seems to like you
It seems like no one likes you
Wish I couldn't tell
I wish I couldn't see that no one likes you
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Keep talking about how terrible I am, because it's true
Throw the sailors overboard
Get rid of the sailors
Throw the sailors overboard
Get rid of the sailors
Throw the sailors overboard
Get rid of the sailors
Throw the sailors overboard, overboard
Throw them off the ship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL JOHNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eris
Need to ask a question
Calling out my name
Nothing seems to bother
Wish I had a clue
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Well, I don't think you like me
Well, I hate you as well
No one seems to like you
Wish I couldn't tell
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard, overboard
Come on, abuse me more I like it
Come on, keep talking 'cause it's true
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard
Throw the sailors overboard, overboard
Diggarci
Silverchair was always a very impressive band, to reach that level of sound and composition at 17 years old is marvelous.
Punky Brewster
Diggarci
They were 15 when they released Frogstomp. 😊
SuRIKE
@Punky Brewster This song is not on frogstomp 😊
Олександр Мальчевський
🥴
lewi Kono
SuRIKE but frogstomp is still just as good, 2 years prior to this. The point was exaggerated, not challenged.
_swmc8_
18 actually
michae13James
I’m 16 years old
I’ve just left school
I had my whole life ahead of me
And this was a part of my personal soundtrack.
Love silverchair’s first 2 albums.
Red Skies
Hi I Recommend an indiesong called: 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix
michae13James
@Red Skies Thankyou I will do that
Tomioka Yuki
Have faith, my friend! I wish you are well and can win all your battles <3