1) The Broadways were … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) The Broadways were a punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group formed in 1996 after the break-up of ska-punk band Slapstick, with their vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway combining with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan.
Musically, The Broadways frequently drew comparisons to Crimpshrine and Jawbreaker. The band is notable for the intelligent political, social, and introspective nature of their lyrics, as well as their complex, non-traditional song structures and above-average punk musicianship.
The band released Broken Star in 1998 on Asian Man Records before breaking up the same year. After the breakup, Kelly and McCaughan formed The Lawrence Arms, while Hanaway and DePaola started The Honor System. A collection of unreleased material and songs collected from their EPs was released posthumously in 2000 as Broken Van.
2) The Broadways were a R&B band from the mid-60's. Line up: Ronnie Coleman, Billy Brown, Leon Trent, Moe . They originally recorded as The Uniques but as The Broadways they released a couple of singles on MGM which are much prized by the Northern Soul fraternity. Billy Brown went on to become a member of The Moments. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFj5GwfqrtU
3) The Broadways are band from West London. They released their debut single 'Just A Dreamy Day' through New Slang Records of Kingston in Novemeber 2007 and it reached number 6 in the UK Indie Charts. The are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album 'Greetings From The Broadway' with Arctic Monkeys producer Alan Smythe for release in Japan in August. For listeners of The Metros, The Clash and The Hold Steady. www.myspace.com/broadwaysuk
Floundering
The Broadways Lyrics
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Property values were plummeting anyway
Didn't they hear their people say can't we all just get along?
Sounds good to me as long
As you stay in your shitty and now crispy little town
Whose fault was it when South Central burned to the ground?
Judicial rape perpetrated by the state?
It's something that I think about, how upset people are
And I haven't any reason to complain
Plenty of good food, good friends, a nice apartment to live in
And still I don't feel all that great
I'm content but I'm not satisfied
Makes it hard to live your fucking life
TV and a six pack dictate my day
I'm stupid, soft, and lazy, I forgot how to be brave
And it looks I'll never have to learn
Complacency's the smoke alarm that ensures that white cities never burn
The Broadways's song Floundering is a politically charged song that uses biting sarcasm to criticize complacency and privilege. The lyrics suggest that people in comfortable circumstances such as good food, friends, and a nice apartment have become soft, stupid, and lazy compared to those who suffer from poverty and oppression. The chorus contrasts these two groups of people with the lines "It's hard to live your fucking life / I'm content but I'm not satisfied." The "fucking life" referred to here is the struggle for survival and dignity that many people face every day, while the "content" but "unsatisfied" lifestyle is one of comfort, but without true fulfillment or purpose.
The first stanza of the song speaks about the natural selection as the "shit pile caught on fire." This could be a reference to the idea that the less adaptive organisms or systems will eventually die out under certain circumstances. The second stanza contrasts the burning of South Central during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, where the anger and frustration of years of poverty and oppression led to mass violence and destruction. The lyrics suggest that judicial rape may be perpetrated by the state, refering to a lack of justice and equality which the state may be seen as responsible for ultimately.
Floundering provides a scathing commentary on privilege and complacency, suggesting that those who enjoy a comfortable life are often apathetic towards the struggles of others, leading to a lack of empathy and social decay. The song encourages individuals to be brave, take action and work for a world that is more just and equitable for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well, the shit pile caught on fire, seems like natural selection
A metaphor for a situation where people suffer consequences from their own behavior, suggesting that allowing such failures may be good for society's growth.
Property values were plummeting anyway
This line justifies the previous metaphor by suggesting that the town's inhabitants had been, for some time, living in a place that had lost its value and relevance.
Didn't they hear their people say can't we all just get along?
A reference to racial conflict and unrest that implies it's a cry for help that is ultimately ignored by those in power.
Sounds good to me as long
The singer seems to be acknowledging the desire to unite and live in harmony, but with the selfish caveat that they can only do so if they don't have to sacrifice anything themselves.
As you stay in your shitty and now crispy little town
The singer is condemning the inhabitants for staying in their burnt-out home instead of seeking a better life elsewhere, despite its hardship.
Whose fault was it when South Central burned to the ground?
Another reference to race-related violence, with the singer questioning who is responsible for social unrest and violence while suggesting it's not always easy to know.
Judicial rape perpetrated by the state?
A reference to wrongful convictions or other forms of injustice by the government, causing further frustration and mistrust of the authorities involved.
Two hundred or so years of stored up rage?
Suggesting that years of pent-up frustration and injustice may have contributed to social unrest, and that these feelings can linger for centuries.
It's something that I think about, how upset people are
The singer acknowledges that they recognize the pain and frustration of others, but they don't feel it themselves.
And I haven't any reason to complain
Despite their contentment, the singer seems to be acknowledging their privilege and that they should not complain due to their own favorable position in life.
Plenty of good food, good friends, a nice apartment to live in
A list of privileges that the singer enjoys, suggesting that they have no reason to feel discontent but still do.
And still I don't feel all that great
The singer is still unhappy despite having many privileges in their life.
I'm content but I'm not satisfied
Acknowledging that the singer is not truly happy, reflecting on how people can be okay with their lives while still feeling disconnected or like they could do more.
Makes it hard to live your fucking life
The singer is expressing frustration at how hard it is to be alive; despite having privilege, it's still challenging to feel satisfied or truly happy.
TV and a six pack dictate my day
The singer is critical of how consumer culture has held sway, with certain products or behaviors becoming part of people's daily routine.
I'm stupid, soft, and lazy, I forgot how to be brave
The singer is self-deprecating, acknowledging feelings of inadequacy and a lack of courage or ambition in their own life.
And it looks I'll never have to learn
The singer is expressing their nihilistic worldview, suggesting that they will never grow or change.
Complacency's the smoke alarm that ensures that white cities never burn
The singer is making a statement about inequality, suggesting that white communities can remain complacent and somewhat ignorant due to their privilege, while others suffer.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ethan
on Police Song
i love police do you