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.
Heart Problems
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the line down your left arm
If there's no money in your left hand
You could be pulled apart
You think it's more than just a cold?
Don't make a problem for your soul
Don't you go pulling out just yet, my friend
BUt ooh, when you feel the pressure coming down
Well, I might do the same, myself
You can't write a song that's gonna help
Your health
I got a problem with my sight
I'd like to say "We'll see it right"
But when you can't afford a broken nose
How can you afford to fight?
Ooh, Danny Boy, we'll beat them
I know we won't live forever
But oh, wouldn't you like to live them down?
Ooh, Danny Boy, we'll beat them
Give up, and we're going nowhere
And ooh, wouldn't you like to live them down?
You got a problem with the times
Your problems sound a lot like mine
They tell you "Crime, it doesn't pay"
But they'll make us pay to be victimized
Ampicillin (Omnipen)
Bepridil (Vascor)
Chloroquine (Arelan)
Cisapride (Propulsid)
Cocaine (Cocaine)
Desipramine (Pertofrane)
Dopamine (Intropine)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Ephedrine (Broncholate)
Ephedrine (Rynatuss)
Felbamate (Felbratrol)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Granisetron (Kytril)
Lithium (Eskalith)
Lithium (Lithobid)
Methadone (Dolophine)
Methadone (Methadose)
Mexiletine (Mexitil)
Midodrine (ProAmatine)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Octreotide (Sandostatin)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Pentamisine (NebuPent)
Phentermine (Fastin)
Phenylephrine (Neosynephrine)
Pimozide (Orap)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Quinidine (Quinaglute)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Ritodrine (Yutopar)
Salmeterol (Serevent)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Sibutramine (Meridia)
Sotalol (Betapace)
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Vardenafil (Levitra)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists "Heart Problems" is a song about facing the challenges of life and continuing to persevere. The song opens with the line "You got a problem with your heart, follow the line down your left arm; if there's no money in your left hand, you could be pulled apart," which presents the theme of the song as one of physical and emotional struggle. The lyrics encourage the listener to remain resilient in the face of these challenges and not to give up, because "everybody's getting old." The song goes on to address different struggles in life such as problems with sight, crime and poverty, and medical conditions.
In the chorus, Ted Leo urges the listener to keep going and not give up with the words "ooh, danny boy, we'll beat them." The repeated phrase serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face in life, we must continue to persevere and not give up. The final lines of the song "give up and we're going nowhere, and ooh, wouldn't you like to live them down?" reinforces this message and encourages the listener to not give up on their dreams and goals.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a problem with your heart
The person being addressed has an issue with their heart
Follow the line down your left arm
The person should check their left arm for signs of heart problems
If there's no money in your left hand
If the person doesn't have any financial resources
You could be pulled apart
They may not be able to receive necessary medical care
You think it's more than just a cold?
The person questions if their issue is greater than a cold
Don't make a problem for you soul
They should not stress about having health issues
Don't you go pulling out just yet, my friend
They should not give up or lose hope
Everybody's getting old
Aging is a part of life
But ooh, when you feel the pressure coming down
When one experiences stress or pressure
Well, I might do the same, myself
The singer empathizes with the person's situation
You can't write a song that's gonna help
A song cannot cure physical health problems
Your health
Physical well-being
I got a problem with my sight
The singer has issues with their vision
I'd like to say "We'll see it right"
They want to make things right, but there may be obstacles
But when you can't afford a broken nose
Without financial resources, medical issues become more difficult to manage
How can you afford to fight?
How can one take a stand and fight for what they deserve?
Ooh, danny boy. we'll beat them
A phrase of encouragement to overcome challenges
I know we won't live forever
Everyone's life is finite
But oh, wouldn't you like to live them down?
It would be satisfying to overcome obstacles and prove people wrong
Give up, and we're going nowhere
If we don't persevere, there is no progress
You got a problem with the times
The person is struggling with the current state of things in the world
Your problems sound a lot like mine
The singer empathizes and has similar struggles
They tell you "Crime, it doesn't pay"
Society encourages people to follow the law
But they'll make us pay to be victimized
By following the law, people are forced to pay for their own safety and protection
Ampicilin
A type of antibiotic
Bepridil
A medication that can treat irregular heartbeats
Chloroquine
A drug that can treat or prevent malaria
Cisapride
A medication that can help with digestive issues
Cocaine
An addictive and illegal stimulant drug
Desipramine
A medication that can treat depression
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that influences pleasure, motivation, and attention
Doxepin
A medication that can treat insomnia and depression
Ephedrine
A drug that can treat asthma or congestion
Ephedrine
Another reference to the drug used for breathing issues
Felbamate
A medication that can treat seizures
Flecainide
A drug that can regulate heartbeats
Granisetron
A medication that can prevent nausea and vomiting
Lithium
A medication used to treat bipolar disorder
Lithium
Another reference to the medication
Methadone
A medication primarily used to treat opioid addiction
Methadone
Another reference to the drug
Mexiletine
A drug that can treat irregular heartbeats
Midodrine
A medication that can treat low blood pressure
Nicardipine
A drug that can lower high blood pressure
Octreotide
A medication used to treat acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors
Paroxetine
A medication that can treat depression and anxiety disorders
Pentamidine
A medication used to treat PCP pneumonia in patients with compromised immune systems
Phentermine
A medication that can help with weight loss
Phenylephrine
A decongestant that can help relieve nasal and sinus congestion
Pimoxide
A medication that can treat severe depression
Quetiapine
A medication that can treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Quinidine
A drug that can treat abnormal heart rhythms
Risperidone
A medication that can help with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Ritodrine
A medication used to delay premature labor
Salmeterol
A drug that can help with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Sertaline
A medication primarily used to treat depression
Sibutramine
A medication that was used as an appetite suppressant but has since been discontinued due to side effects
Sotalol
A medication that can help regulate heartbeats
Tamoxifen
A medication used to treat and prevent breast cancer
Thioridazine
A medication that can help with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Tizanidine
A medication used to treat muscle spasms and spasticity
Vardenafil
A medication used to treat erectile dysfunction
Venlafaxine
A medication that can treat depression and anxiety disorders
Ziprasidone
A medication that can help with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THEODORE F LEO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind