The band consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Ted Leo, guitarist James Canty, bassist Marty 'Violence' Key, and drummer Chris Wilson. After his previous band, Chisel, broke up in the late 1990s, Ted recorded the Tej Leo(?) Rx Pharmacists [sic] album in 1999, followed by the Treble in Trouble EP in 2000.
His next album, 2001's The Tyranny of Distance, quickly gained him a cult following and critical praise. Dave Lerner and Chris Wilson became permanent members of the band during the tour that year, as did keyboard player Dorien Garry. James Canty (ex-Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, etc.) also played with the band during this time.
The album Hearts of Oak followed in 2003, which also saw the release of the concert film Dirty Old Town and the Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead EP. Garry left the band before the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets, which has led them into their current setup as a power trio. The new record featured fewer obscure references and more overt political content than his previous releases did, though his music has always been known for its engagement with politics.
The band tours extensively around North America. Leo is a strict vegan. His brother Chris Leo is also a singer/songwriter and a member of The Lapse. Ted Leo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1994 with a degree in English.
Bleeding Powers
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Lyrics
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In my mind it was never too late, and the days were hours
And sure the waves still make spray at the old sea wall
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
Let's go down to the old South End, where we used to meet
Ah, but it'll only make me sadder when I can't conjure ghosts no more
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
All the time you've spent working away, well you've done more than your part
All the times you only wanted your say, not their slings and darts
And still you couldn't let them drown in their own hate no more
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And you still see people waiting for the next excuse for war
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
The song "Bleeding Powers" by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists is a poignant reflection on loss, regret, and the passage of time. The lyrics speak of a narrator who was once aided and supported by someone close to them and yet, despite this support, they still feel a sense of powerlessness and regret. The line "All the time you were keeping me straight I was bleeding powers" suggests that despite the help they received, the singer was still draining themselves of their own strength and energy.
The second verse takes us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as the singer pines for the old times spent with someone they loved. But this trip to the past only serves to make them realize that they can no longer conjure up the ghosts of the past, and they are left feeling even more alone and helpless. The third verse shifts focus to the current state of the world, with the singer acknowledging the futility of war and the unnecessary suffering it causes.
The repetition of the line "And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door" creates a sense of longing and anticipation, with the singer acknowledging that while they may not have found their way yet, there is still hope that they will at some point. Overall, "Bleeding Powers" is a melancholy meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we all struggle to find our place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
All the time you were keeping me straight I was bleeding powers
While you were trying to help me stay on the right path, I was gradually losing my strength and energy
In my mind it was never too late, and the days were hours
I always believed that there was hope, even when things seemed dire, and time passed quickly
And sure the waves still make spray at the old sea wall
Despite everything that changes, some things stay the same and remind us of the past
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
There is progress being made, but the journey is not over yet
Let's go down to the old South End, where we used to meet
Let's revisit the places and memories that we once shared
Take me back to the basements and alleys on Walbridge Street
Remind me of the humble beginnings and simple pleasures of our past
Ah, but it'll only make me sadder when I can't conjure ghosts no more
Revisiting the past may bring back fond memories, but it also serves as a reminder of what is lost forever
All the time you’ve spent working away, well you've done more than your part
You've put in a lot of effort and done everything you can to help
All the times you only wanted your say, not their slings and darts
You just wanted to speak your truth, without fear of judgement or criticism
And still you couldn't let them drown in their own hate no more
You couldn't stand by and watch others be consumed by their own negativity and animosity
And you still see people waiting for the next excuse for war
You can't help but notice that there are still those who are eager to engage in conflict and violence
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THEODORE F LEO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind