While touring in support of their full-length album Albatross, the band created the Acoustic EP: Seattle Sessions, which was simply a compilation of songs they created while on the road.
Their next album, 'The Silver Cord', was released on July 22, 2008. With the album being based on the realities of life and death, it signals a move into an alternative genre for TCC. Exactly 5805 copies of 'The Silver Cord' were sold in the first week. 5805 is a significant number because it is a song title on the album and it is the address of the house where the band formed and began to break out.
In 2010, 'Vagabonds' was released.
Four Chords
The Classic Crime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I watched them smoke their cigarettes I'd wave
I was much to young to think of danger,
I was curious and innocent and brave
Now the wrinkles in my face have gotten deeper, I'm an old man that's just 25 years young
I try to keep myself away from mirrors, they remind me of the stupid things I've done
Because after all mans intellect and power,
Says the voice inside my head that keeps me moving on,
That keeps me singing these songs,
So sing along
Oh, oh, here we go, been down this road about a thousand times before
But we ain't bored
Oh, oh, here we go singing songs we wrote about a thousand times before
But we ain't bored the same four chords, the same four chords
Now the beard upon my face has gotten thicker
To protect me from the storms that come my way
Maybe when lifes done I'll be the singer in the band that plays outside of heavens gate
Because after all mans intellect and power,
All you get is 650,000 hours if you're lucky then you're dead,
Says the voice inside my head that keeps me moving on,
That keeps me singing these songs
So sing along
Oh, oh, here we go, been down this road about a thousand times before
But we ain't bored
Oh, oh, here we go singing songs we wrote about a thousand times before
But we ain't bored the same four chords, the same four chords
And even if I die tomorrow I'll be glad my life was filled with songs,
And even if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on (3x)
So sing along
Oh, oh, the songs that we wrote, are playing back on the radio
Oh, oh, if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on
These four chords will keep me living on
These four chords will keep me living on
The Classic Crime's "Four Chords" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the search for meaning in life. The song's narrator describes his youthful innocence and curiosity, but also acknowledges the mistakes and regrets that have come with age. He recognizes that despite all of humankind's intellectual achievements and power, life is ultimately fleeting - we only have a limited number of hours before we pass away. However, the singer finds hope and solace in music, in the simple pleasure of playing the same four chords over and over again. For him, music is a constant source of inspiration and a way to keep on living, even after he's gone.
The song's lyrics resonate with listeners because they express a universal human experience: the desire to leave a lasting legacy and to make our time on earth meaningful. The singer seems to suggest that music is one way to achieve this goal - to create something that will outlast the physical body and continue to inspire others long after we're gone. At the same time, the song acknowledges the inherent limitations of life and the need to accept mortality with grace and humility.
Line by Line Meaning
I was once a boy in love with strangers, As I watched them smoke their cigarettes I'd wave
I used to be curious and naive when I saw strangers smoking and I'd wave at them
I was much too young to think of danger, I was curious and innocent and brave
I was too young to understand the risks involved in my curiosity, but I was brave enough to explore
Now the wrinkles in my face have gotten deeper, I'm an old man that's just 25 years young
Despite being only 25, life's challenges have aged me beyond my years
I try to keep myself away from mirrors, they remind me of the stupid things I've done
I avoid looking in mirrors because it makes me reflect on my past mistakes
Because after all mans intellect and power, All you get is 650,000 hours if you're lucky then you're dead, Says the voice inside my head that keeps me moving on, That keeps me singing these songs
Despite our intellectual and physical capabilities, life is short and we must make the most of it before we die
Oh, oh, here we go, been down this road about a thousand times before But we ain't bored
We've been through this before but it never gets old or boring
Oh, oh, here we go singing songs we wrote about a thousand times before But we ain't bored the same four chords, the same four chords
We keep singing the same songs but they never get boring, it's the same four chords that keep them alive
Now the beard upon my face has gotten thicker To protect me from the storms that come my way Maybe when lifes done I'll be the singer in the band that plays outside of heavens gate
I'm growing a beard to protect myself from life's challenges, and maybe in the afterlife, I'll be the lead singer in a heavenly band
And even if I die tomorrow I'll be glad my life was filled with songs, And even if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on (3x)
I'll be content with my life knowing that I filled it with music, and these same four chords will keep my memory alive even after my death
Oh, oh, the songs that we wrote, are playing back on the radio Oh, oh, if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on These four chords will keep me living on These four chords will keep me living on
Our songs live beyond us and will continue to play even after our death, thanks to the same four chords that make them timeless
Contributed by Jordan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SehnsuchtSojourner
It was at that moment, after his thousandth time of hearing the song, he heard the proper separation: "all you get is 650,000 hours if you're lucky / then you're dead" not "all you get is 650,000 hours / if you're lucky then you're dead"
Noah Allen
SehnsuchtSojourner I always liked that I could never quite tell which was intended.
Kayotica
Still one of my favorite songs <3
Shifting Silver
“Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I'll listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand.” ― C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
Aya Granger
I heard this song for the first time on the radio yesterday and fell in love with it. His voice is so interesting. Reminds me of an old friend... <3
Stacey Keo
I've listened to this song so many times... but it hits differently now that my dad is gone. A musician until the day he died. "Even if I die tomorrow, I'll be glad my life was filled with songs... and even if I die tomorrow, these four chords will keep me living on." I know he felt that way and it gives me comfort. Thanks, dudes.
Maggie Koch
I understand the feeling of being old while being young in this song. The pain and darkness in life are real, but survival is always possible.
EagleXYZ LibertarianForChrist
Your comment is now over 6yrs old and this song is over 10yrs old. Do you feel old yet?
nadrixam
I love this song, it's so fun to sing along to! Although some parts are awkward 'cause I'm a girl...
xSummerJoyx
"If you're lucky, then you're dead, says the voice inside my head that keeps me moving on." I'm in love with his lyrics.