The Downtown Fiction released a self-titled EP in March 2009, which included the hits βLiving Proofβ and βIs Anybody Out There?β. Followed up by an EP titled βBest I Never Hadβ in March. In August, the music video for βI Just Wanna Runβ was released and in December, they released a new EP βThe Double E.P.β, including all tracks from the two other EPs and a new demo, βKeep On Movingβ. Songfacts reports that their first album Let's Be Animals was released on April 26, 2011, via Photo Finish / Atlantic Records, "Thanks for Nothing" was the first single.
Where Dreams Go To Die
The Downtown Fiction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's freezing, but the bus ain't there.
You're wishing for someone to stop this.
Back in class again,
You feel just like an empty pen,
Loss for words and void of purpose.
They cornered you, there's nowhere to get out.
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
Teacher thinks you're rude
Says, "I dont like your attitude".
Well maybe you're just condescending
But bring us up to follow rules
And throw us all in cubic rooms
But we're not gonna sit by idle.
We're getting out, we're gonna find our way
Hey, hey.
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
Well, we'll be more than they'll ever be
Just bitter from their own failed dreams.
They're desperate, and do anything to bring you down.
Well, we'll do more than they ever did
Talk down to some poor old kid.
We are the ones, the ones who made it.
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams,
But high school's the place where dreams,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
The Downtown Fiction's song "Where Dreams Go To Die" tells a story about the struggles and oppression that high school students go through. The song paints a picture of a student standing alone in the cold, waiting for a bus that seems to never come. He or she feels lost and purposeless, like an empty pen with no ink. The student is then cornered by oppressors, who are likely to be powerful individuals in the school community, such as teachers or peers. These oppressors try to convince the student that they are right and will break, beat, and steal away the student's life. They will tell the student that they are nothing and that they will never get it right. High school is portrayed as a place where dreams go to die, as students find themselves stuck in some cubic room and are expected to follow rules.
The student, however, is not going to sit by idly. The student's bitter experience makes them more than what their oppressors will ever be. Their oppressors are described as desperate and will do anything to bring them down. But the student and likeminded individuals are the ones who will make it despite the odds. They will not talk down on others, especially the young and powerless, like their oppressors do. They will rise above their circumstances and find their way out.
The Downtown Fiction's "Where Dreams Go To Die" reflects the struggles and tribulations of high school experience vividly. The song calls out on people to see beyond the condescension and oppression that weigh students down in high school. As individuals, they can take control of their future by believing in themselves, fighting for what they believe and working towards achieving their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
You breath hangs in the air.
You are nervous and afraid.
It's freezing, but the bus ain't there.
You are alone and stranded in the cold.
You're wishing for someone to stop this.
You want someone to come to your rescue.
Back in class again,
You are stuck in the mundane routine of school.
You feel just like an empty pen,
You feel useless and without purpose.
Loss for words and void of purpose.
You are struggling to find meaning in your life.
They cornered you, there's nowhere to get out.
You are trapped and can't escape.
How? How?
You are questioning how you ended up in this situation.
They'll try to convince you and tell you that they're right.
Others will try to pressure you and make you doubt yourself.
They'll break you and beat you and steal away your life.
Others will try to harm you and take away your happiness.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
Others will make you feel worthless and like you will never succeed.
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
School can feel like a place where dreams are crushed and ambitions are destroyed.
Teacher thinks you're rude
A figure of authority doesn't understand or appreciate you.
Says, 'I dont like your attitude.'
The same figure of authority criticizes and judges you.
Well maybe you're just condescending
You may come across as arrogant or superior, but it's because you don't fit in.
But bring us up to follow rules
School teaches you to conform and obey authority.
And throw us all in cubic rooms
School can feel like a confining, limiting environment.
But we're not gonna sit by idle.
You won't let school dictate your fate.
We're getting out, we're gonna find our way
You are determined to break free from the constraints of school.
Well, we'll be more than they'll ever be
You are motivated to achieve success beyond what others expect of you and beyond their own failures.
Just bitter from their own failed dreams.
Those who belittle you may be projecting their own insecurities and failures onto you.
They're desperate, and do anything to bring you down.
Those who belittle you may do so out of desperation or jealousy.
Well, we'll do more than they ever did
You are determined to surpass the expectations and achievements of those who doubt you.
Talk down to some poor old kid.
You won't belittle or harm others, but rather you will use your experiences to lift up and encourage others.
We are the ones, the ones who made it.
You believe in yourself and your ability to succeed despite the challenges.
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
Again, school can feel like a place where ambitions and dreams are crushed.
Contributed by Eli Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@babystarcandy2840
You breath hangs in the air.
It's freezing, but the bus ain't there.
You're wishing for someone to stop this.
Back in class again,
You feel just like an empty pen,
Loss for words and void of purpose.
They cornered you, there's nowhere to get out.
How? How?
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
Teacher thinks you're rude
Says, "I dont like your attitude".
Well maybe you're just condescending
But bring us up to follow rules
And throw us all in cubic rooms
But we're not gonna sit by idle.
We're getting out, we're gonna find our way
Hey, hey.
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die.
Well, we'll be more than they'll ever be
Just bitter from their own failed dreams.
They're desperate, and do anything to bring you down.
Well, we'll do more than they ever did
Talk down to some poor old kid.
We are the ones, the ones who made it.
They'll try to convince you
and tell you that they're right.
They'll break you and beat you
and steal away your life.
And tell you that you're nothing and they'll never get it right,
But high school's the place where dreams,
But high school's the place where dreams,
But high school's the place where dreams go to die
@alltimelowfan927
i cannot believe how true these lyrics are...thank you dowtown fiction for creating such a beautiful song
@priscilarisso
Caraca! Muito bom. Very good. You are a fantastic band. I'm from Brazil. Good Luck!
@blessmeish
I listened to this all the time some months ago, before the summer vacation. Now i'll start school again, and i already started to listen to this song again. It helps me manage to wake up and face reality every single morning..
@JalexBarakrth
This is such a great song. The lyrics alone are amazing.
@Soyatina
This song is so amazing. I'm lost for words :)
@iamstillblocked
this song is so amazing. i hope they will still be like this when they get famous :/
@EpicEverAfter
I love it when a band can write party hard, make catchy tunes all while talking about things that matter. That's the downtown fiction for ya.
@goldenkeey
Thank you The Downtown Fiction! I had felt so hopeless and like my life was pointless when someone crushed all my dreams of being an actress, singer and bestselling author. I'm starting to forget about that inconsiderate jerk after listening to this song. Haters who aim to ruin your day have nothing better to do.
@Soragirl229
i absolutely love this song, it soooo describes high school sometimes.
@ALVINLEE1994
beautiful melody and meaningful lyrics