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)
Hollywood
Silverchair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a cynical baby
So your god fell in love with the war
Well he´s only your god
I'm the first male lesbian
I feel less being jaded
The gayest straight boy that you'll ever meet
Easy, hopeless admiration of a Hollywood home
Easy, hopeless admiration
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood home
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood hole
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood home
We're living in
In the middle of the side of the road
I'm a cynical baby
So your god fell on love with the war
Well he's only your god
Heads tied to a rolling sculpture
Limp feet proceed to hold me up
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood home
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood hole
Now that you've come home
The lyrics to Silverchair's song "Hollywood" touch on themes of cynicism and disillusionment with the glamorous lifestyle of Hollywood. The opening line, "In the middle of the side of the road, I'm a cynical baby," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer feels jaded and somewhat disconnected from the world around him. He refers to himself as the "first male lesbian," an interesting turn of phrase that suggests he doesn't fit into typical labels or categories. He also describes himself as the "gayest straight boy that you'll ever meet," further emphasizing his sense of being an outsider.
The second verse adds to these themes, noting that "your god fell in love with the war." This could be seen as a reference to the glorification of violence in Hollywood movies, or perhaps a commentary on America's obsession with war and military might. The singer suggests that this "god" is not his own, implying that he doesn't share the same values or beliefs as those in power.
The chorus repeats the phrase "We're living in a Hollywood home" with a sense of resignation. The singer seems to recognize that he's caught up in the trappings of this lifestyle, but feels powerless to escape it. The repetition of the phrase "hopeless admiration" further emphasizes his sense of defeat.
Overall, the lyrics to "Hollywood" suggest a complex mix of emotions: disillusionment, cynicism, disillusionment, and even a hint of self-deprecating humor. It's a fascinating exploration of an iconic aspect of American culture and the people who are drawn to it.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of the side of the road
I find myself stranded in a difficult position, both literally and metaphorically
I'm a cynical baby
Despite my youth, I possess a wise and critical attitude towards the world
So your god fell in love with the war
The divine entity you worship has become enamored with violence and conflict
Well he's only your god
It's up to you to decide whether your deity's behavior is right or wrong
I'm the first male lesbian
I defy societal norms and expectations by challenging gender and sexual stereotypes
I feel less being jaded
I experience a sense of relief when I let go of cynicism and disillusionment
The gayest straight boy that you'll ever meet
I possess qualities that are traditionally associated with both straight and gay individuals, making me unique
And I meet everyone only not in the flesh
I interact with people on multiple levels, including virtual and symbolic ones
Easy, hopeless admiration of a Hollywood home
I harbor a superficial and unattainable admiration for the glamorous lifestyle and culture of Hollywood
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood home
We are caught up in the allure and illusion of Hollywood, despite the fact that it's not real
We're living in, we're living in a Hollywood hole
Our obsession with Hollywood has left us feeling empty and trapped
Heads tied to a rolling sculpture
We are chained to a powerful and moving force that we have no control over
Limp feet proceed to hold me up
Despite feeling weak and powerless, we continue to support ourselves and move forward
Now that you've come home
Despite our disillusionment and emptiness, we continue to seek comfort and safety in familiar surroundings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL JOHNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind