Their first album was 1995's Whirlgig. The album's initial single was "Devil's Diary", which received limited radio play as well as exposure on MTV. The group never achieved significant commercial success and split shortly after the release of L, their second album, in 1997.
Faye would go on to release an album with The John Faye Power Trip in 1999. After one album, that band changed their name to Ike and released three more albums. As these new bands also featured a constantly evolving lineup, all seven records released under The Caulfields, John Faye Power Trip, or IKE can be viewed as showcases for Faye's songwriting and can be recognized as a single body of work.
Since 2006, the band has reunited, albeit irregularly, for a handful of shows in Delaware and Philadelphia. There are no known plans for a permanent reunion, and due to Faye's commitments to IKE and other projects, a new release seems unlikely.
Fragile
The Caulfields Lyrics
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I'd love to hear your thoughts
On sinners you have caught
And what about the ones who got away
Where are they today
You see them everywhere
And they don't care
It's just because we are
We're fragile
Don't let us down too hard
God
What does it all achieve
The orphaned family grieves
But still believes
In our rebirth
You damned us all to earth
And turned it into hell
And wished us well
And if we al lseem petrified
It doesn't mean we're hard
We're fragile
Don't let us fall too far
Is this the part
When everyone gets on their knees for you
I always wanted to believe in you
But you never gave me half a chance
Or half a reason to
Are you fragile too?
God
I'd love to make you proud
But I know
They sure put on a show
And man they say it loud
They're not my crowd
And if I can't believe in you
It doesn't mean I don't
I'm fragile
Don't let me fall alone
I'm fragile
I can't fall alone
The Caulfields’s song “Fragile” is a powerful and thought-provoking reflection on faith and redemption. The song opens with the singer expressing his uncertainty and desire for understanding from God, asking for his thoughts on those who are deemed sinners, and those who seemingly float through life without consequence. The singer acknowledges the fragility of the human condition and how it is easy for people to become terrified, but also reminds God not to let us down too hard.
The second verse explores the idea of redemption and rebirth, with the singer questioning the purpose of the suffering that people experience on earth. While acknowledging the grief and loss of those who have been orphaned, the singer also acknowledges that people still believe in the possibility of rebirth, despite the seeming hopelessness of life on earth. The bridge then takes a more personal turn, with the singer asking if even God himself is fragile, and expressing his desire to make God proud.
Overall, the song “Fragile” is a powerful reflection on the complexities of faith and the struggles that come with being human. It asks important questions about the nature of sin, suffering, and redemption, and urges empathy and compassion towards the fragility of the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
God
The singer is addressing God, seeking answers.
I'd love to hear your thoughts
The singer is eager to hear God's opinions on certain topics.
On sinners you have caught
The singer is curious about God's perspective on those who have sinned and been caught.
And what about the ones who got away
The artist is wondering what happened to those who sinned and got away with it.
Where are they today
The artist is curious about the current status of those who got away with sinning.
You see them everywhere
The singer believes that those who got away with sinning are still present and visible in society.
And they don't care
The singer thinks that those who got away with sinning have no remorse.
And if we all seem terrified
The artist is suggesting that everyone is afraid.
It's just because we are
The artist is stating that the reason everyone is afraid is because they are fragile.
We're fragile
The artist is emphasizing the vulnerability of the human condition.
Don't let us down too hard
The singer is asking God to be merciful and not to disappoint them too much.
God
The artist is once again addressing God.
What does it all achieve
The singer is pondering the purpose of existence.
The orphaned family grieves
The singer is observing the pain of those who have lost loved ones.
But still believes
The singer believes that despite the pain, people still hold onto hope.
In our rebirth
The artist is referring to the idea of resurrection or a second life.
You damned us all to earth
The artist is suggesting that God has cursed humanity by making them live on earth.
And turned it into hell
The singer thinks that life on earth is miserable and difficult.
And wished us well
The singer is being sarcastic, implying that God's blessing has not been meaningful.
And if we all seem petrified
The artist is highlighting the fear that is pervasive in society.
It doesn't mean we're hard
The artist is saying that just because people seem tough does not mean they are not fragile.
We're fragile
The artist asserts that humanity is vulnerable.
Don't let us fall too far
The singer is asking God to protect them from hitting rock bottom.
Is this the part
The artist is questioning whether this is the point at which everyone worships God.
When everyone gets on their knees for you
The singer is referring to the act of prayer, asking if everyone prays to God at some point.
I always wanted to believe in you
The singer expresses a desire to have faith in God.
But you never gave me half a chance
The singer feels that their relationship with God has not been fair or equal.
Or half a reason to
The artist feels that there has been no justification or explanation for why God has acted the way he has.
Are you fragile too?
The artist is questioning whether God is also vulnerable and flawed.
God
The singer returns to addressing God.
I'd love to make you proud
The singer desires to impress God and make him proud.
But I know
The artist has doubts about their ability to make God proud.
They sure put on a show
The artist observes that some people pretend to be religious or devout.
And man they say it loud
The artist comments on the loudness or intensity of some people's religious beliefs.
They're not my crowd
The singer is distancing themselves from those who are overly zealous about their faith.
And if I can't believe in you
The artist is admitting that they struggle to have faith in God.
It doesn't mean I don't
The singer is saying that just because they doubt God's existence, it does not mean they do not want to believe.
I'm fragile
The singer is emphasizing their own vulnerability.
Don't let me fall alone
The singer is asking God to be with them and protect them from harm.
I'm fragile
The artist repeats that they are vulnerable and need protection.
I can't fall alone
The artist is expressing a fear of being alone and vulnerable.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Faye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind