The band retained the rights to their self-titled debut album which was released through licensing deals in several territories via their newly formed label, White Drugs. It was around this release that they quickly garnered a rabid following in many parts of the world - namely the United States, UK/Europe and Australia - as the result of heavy touring, intense live shows and their unusual blend of 1980's punk and modern day rock music.
The Bronx's style is influenced by bands from the 1980s Californian punk scene, such as Black Flag, Fear and Suicidal Tendencies - with subtle DC influences such as Bad Brains and Fugazi. This is blended with more traditional big rock guitar riffs and a hardcore style of drumming to further intensify the band's unique style.
To date, the band has released one full self-titled album (2003) as well as the limited edition "Bats!" (Tarantulas) and "La Muerte Viva!" (Wichita & Shock) EP's. A live DVD, titled "Live At The Annandale" was recorded at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney, Australia and released by, White Drugs.
Their second (again, self-titled) full-length album was released on July 18th, 2006 by Island Records - with a special vinyl edition of the album released on July 4th, 2006 by Swami Records - San Diego indie-label belonging to John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt).
In August 2006, former The Dragons guitarist Ken Horne became an official member of the band.
The bands most recent release (2008) was again self titled, and released on White Drugs. In 2009, the band, under the deceptive pseudonym Mariachi El Bronx, released an album entitled "El Bronx". It featured all band members playing mariachi music.
Safe
The Bronx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has one good chance to die
To be swallowed whole by the big blue empty sky
Feel the heavens stare
With a cold hard look in it's eyes
To hear the sound of something awful on the rise
So pray for safe passage through the night
You'll be humbled by sounds of daylight
To find how much is enough
This could be so much worse
But we sold our souls for gold
You know that nobody in this room
Wants to hear you cry
And if nobody goes for help
Baby you're gonna die
It came and went so fast
You'd almost thought you'd missed
A chance to shake your head and say
How did it come to this
Pray for safe passage through the night
You'll be humbled by the sounds of daylight
And this is an endless search
To find how much is enough
This could be so much worse
But we sold our souls for gold
We sold our souls
We sold our souls
The Bronx's song Safe Passage is a poignant representation of the fragility of human life and the fear of death. The song begins with an ominous tone as the singer reminds us that everyone has just one chance to die and be swallowed whole by the big blue sky. The impending sense of doom is reflected in the line "feel the heavens stare with a cold hard look in its eyes". The fear and anxiety of the afterlife is further emphasized by the sound of something awful rising.
Despite the darkness that seems to pervade the lyrics, there is a glimmer of hope in the line "pray for safe passage through the night". The idea that we can somehow navigate the fear and darkness of death is not lost on the singer. However, the search for safety is an endless one and we are never quite sure how much is enough. The repetition of the line "we sold our souls for gold" speaks to the idea that we are often so consumed with achieving material success that we forget what really matters.
Overall, Safe Passage is a haunting reminder that life is fleeting and we must make the most of the time we have. It challenges us to reflect on what we truly value and to strive for safe passage through the darkness of our fears and insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
Well everybody I know
Everyone I know
Has one good chance to die
Has one opportunity to die
To be swallowed whole by the big blue empty sky
To be taken by the vast and empty sky
Feel the heavens stare
Experience the gaze of the heavens
With a cold hard look in it's eyes
With an emotionless, unfeeling stare
To hear the sound of something awful on the rise
To hear the approach of something terrible
So pray for safe passage through the night
Hope for a safe journey through the darkness
You'll be humbled by sounds of daylight
You will be made humble by the noises of daybreak
And this is an endless search
This is a never-ending quest
To find how much is enough
To determine when one has enough
This could be so much worse
Things could be much more terrible
But we sold our souls for gold
But we traded our morals for wealth
You know that nobody in this room
You are aware that nobody present
Wants to hear you cry
Desires to listen to you weep
And if nobody goes for help
And if no one seeks assistance
Baby you're gonna die
You will perish
It came and went so fast
It occurred and quickly ended
You'd almost thought you'd missed
You nearly believed you had overlooked
A chance to shake your head and say
An opportunity to express disbelief
How did it come to this
How did things reach this point?
We sold our souls for gold
We traded our morals for wealth
We sold our souls
We traded our morals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES TWEEDY, JOBY J. FORD, JORMA VIK, MATT CAUGHTHRAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rusty Pebble
I rarely focus on the amount of views but 7.4 Million views on this single video.. Wow!
Yes, some videos on YouTube far exceed this number. However, you should be proud to share the sort of content you are providing. Click bait is generally not one of your methods and that's something to be self assured about. You can be successful without the need to endeavour in lower acts of methodologies.
Congratulations on your phenomenal reach!
Your shared insight from personal experiences is fascinating and the informative content produced is moulding perspectives.
Your honest, humble and respectful approach is in my opinion what makes your videos successful.
Your caution for word choice is sensible and respectable.
Thankyou for your work
All the best on your JOURNEY/S.
Downhill_MTB 4Life
@W. G. You have the correct logic. It creates tense and unhealthy mindsets among everyone, as if someone is out to get you. You're constantly on edge and it prevents you from focusing on life's goals.
And that whole "it's a struggle, you don't know how hard it is" garbage is just that, garbage.
I always said if someone grew up in the hood, they had it easy: the taxpayers paid for housing, clothing, food, free healthcare, free Obama phone and even a few education so you can better your life. And if you did well enough in school, you can even get a few college education and priority placement because of special govt programs for "inner city" people.
So you have hard working people paying taxes to help the poor and "unprivileged" so they can better their lives and climb the social structure. Everyone is trying to help them succeed and the only thing society asks in return is that they don't grow up to be junkies, criminals or perpetual dependents. But most of them turn out to be just that.
You know who's life is hard, people in third world countries who are actually starving and living in cardboard boxes on the side of a road in the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, etc. They have NO opportunities whatever. And they're willing to work.
That's why I agree with your statement, struggles like that wear you down to the bone and hopefully doesn't make you bitter.
Steph B
I really appreciate you showing this side of the Bronx. It’s not a place I would ever think to visit, but you showed a side of a population that is basically just normal folks trying to get through life like the rest of us. Really kind, helpful people who enjoyed talking about their neighborhood’s history and story. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
John Doe
I want him to run for his life with a night time visit.
They made a movie where a family car broke down & it got dark.
Store's lowered metal cages on the store front.
Woodsaras
Realy? To me it just seemed trashy and uncultured.
brownjatt21
Definitely visit. Too many people going to NYC never make it out of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Queens and Bronx are dope.
Wayne StrangeOwl
Hi Peter, I and my wife watch your YouTube channel....good stuff....you traveled to Montana recently, but you didn't stop on my reservation, Northern Cheyenne Reservation....I would like to share some history with you about our people......
TheEmeraldfox777
And I would most certainly love to hear that history..
Emmanuel Wood
The bronx is named after Jonas Bronk, not Jonas Bronx. It was called the bronx because it was the area that belonged to Bronk.
Silas McNunyabidness
@Mad Circle The interpretation I saw was that it meant "free" in their ancient language. They were famously freedom-loving.
Mad Circle
The Frankish people named after their god Frank, obviously
The Limon
@Silas McNunyabidnessyup from the Frankish people