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)
The Lever
Silverchair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He doesn't know how it feels,
Under my thumb like a bone under nail,
She's in the know, how's it feel?
Live your life, under machine guns
Canary down the mine
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Spoiling my broth like a radio kid
Program computerized minds
Waving my luck under your nose
Like I found a four-leaf clover
Live your life under machine guns
Canary down the mine
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
So the mirrors face the wall
Don't you feel a little weak?
And I catch you when you fall
But you're falling all the time
Do you need it anymore?
Do you need a little more?
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Maybe I'm on the lever
Turn the mirrors face the wall,
Don't you feel a little weak?
And I catch you when you fall,
But you're falling all the time
Do you need it anymore?
Do you need a little more?
Do you need it anymore?
Do you need a little?
The lyrics of Silverchair's song "The Lever" are quite cryptic and open to different interpretations. The song seems to reflect on a life that is lived under constant pressure and scrutiny. The first verse talks about living life like a bull in the trade, which symbolically refers to someone who is reckless and unfocused, charging ahead without any direction. The singer of the song seems to be frustrated with this approach as he feels that the person in question doesn't know how it feels to be in control or have a purpose. The second line of the verse talks about being under the singer's thumb, which suggests that he wants to assert control over the situation.
The second verse continues the theme of being under constant surveillance and control, with imagery of living life under machine guns and as a canary in a mine. These are symbols of danger and entrapment, suggesting that the singer feels trapped and unable to escape the pressures of life. He also talks about "spoiling his broth like a radio kid," which could be a metaphor for a system that is corrupt and manipulated by outsiders. The chorus repeats the lines "Maybe I'm on the lever," which could suggest that the singer feels like he is in control of the situation, or that he has the power to manipulate events to his advantage.
The bridge of the song talks about turning mirrors to face the wall and catching someone when they fall, suggesting that the singer is trying to protect someone from the pressures of life. However, the closing lines of the song are open-ended and leave the interpretation up to the listener. The repeated question "Do you need it anymore?" could be a question to oneself or to someone else, questioning the need to continue living life under constant pressure and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Living your life like a bull in the trade,
You are living recklessly and without consideration for others, like a bull charging through a market.
He doesn't know how it feels,
This person lacks empathy and understanding for how others are affected by their actions.
Under my thumb like a bone under nail,
You are under my control and influence, as difficult and painful to remove as a bone stuck under a fingernail.
She's in the know, how's it feel?
This woman is aware of what's happening, and how does that make you feel?
Live your life, under machine guns, Canary down the mine
You are living in a dangerous and oppressive environment, where your life is in constant danger and you are constantly at risk of collapse like a canary in a mine.
Maybe I'm on the lever
Perhaps I am in control, manipulating events like the operator of a lever.
Spoiling my broth like a radio kid, Program computerized minds
You are ruining my plans with your interference, like a kid turning the dial on a radio, or like someone programming minds to their advantage.
Waving my luck under your nose, Like I found a four-leaf clover
I'm flaunting my good fortune in front of you as if it's something special or rare, like finding a four-leaf clover.
So the mirrors face the wall, Don't you feel a little weak?
Turning the mirrors away from you, forcing you to confront your own weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
And I catch you when you fall, But you're falling all the time
I am there to help you when you stumble or fall, but you are constantly making mistakes and need constant support.
Do you need it anymore? Do you need a little more?
Are you still holding on to this thing, this behavior, or do you need more help and support to let it go?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL JOHNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind