During the early 2000s the band rose to prominence in the US Pacific Northwest punk / new wave scene with a combination of energetic live shows and extremely well received singles. The band drew their influence from early British punk bands like The Undertones, The Jam, The Boys and The Buzzcocks, as well as pop acts like Nick Lowe. The Exploding Hearts lead a revival of 70s power pop and new wave in the Seattle / Portland area along with bands like The Briefs and The Epoxies on the then-Seattle based Dirtnap Records.
On July 20th, 2003 the band was in an automotive accident which claimed the lives of three members. Their touring van flipped over on Interstate 5 just north of Eugene, Oregon while en route from San Francisco to Portland. Jeremy Gage (age 21) and Adam Cox (age 23) were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Matthew Fitzgerald (age 20), died at a hospital. Terry Six and band manager Rachelle Ramos both survived with minor injuries.
No attempts were made to carry on the band name after the accident, yet the band's music continued to gain popularity as word of mouth spread on the internet. Sole surviving member Terry Six went on to form The Nice Boys who are quite unlike the punk vibe of his former band and take on more of a 70s glam sensibility. In his current band, Six is the lead singer as well as the lead guitar player.
Rumours In Town
The Exploding Hearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when he hurts you girl, come around here to spite him
I don't know anything but i've heard all the rumours in town,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
We've always said things we didn't mean but now we say them more and more
So when i say to you i'm getting bored like i was before
I don't know anything but the word is getting around,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
There's nothing wrong with us you're just self absorbed
It was in your shadow but they don't know
I don't know everything but i've heard all the rumours in town,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
In The Exploding Hearts' song "Rumours In Town," the singer addresses his friend who he has a complicated relationship with. Though the two have always been more than just friends, they have never been officially together. But when the friend's current significant other hurts her, the singer encourages her to come to him for comfort - and perhaps to also spite her current partner.
The song then turns to the rumors that the singer has been hearing around town about their relationship. The word is that there is "trouble in paradise" and that her heart will "pay the price." The two have always said things they didn't mean, but now they are saying them more and more, including the singer expressing his boredom with the situation. While the singer claims that there is nothing wrong with their relationship, he wonders whether his friend's self-absorption is making it difficult for them to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
We've always been more than just good friends, but you know we've never been an item
We have a close relationship, but we have never been in a romantic relationship.
And when he hurts you girl, come around here to spite him
If someone hurts you, come to me for support and to get back at him.
I don't know anything but i've heard all the rumours in town,
I don't have firsthand knowledge, but I have heard gossip about what might be happening.
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
There are problems in your relationship, and it will likely have negative consequences for you emotionally.
We've always said things we didn't mean but now we say them more and more
We used to occasionally say things we didn't mean, but now it's becoming more frequent.
So when i say to you i'm getting bored like i was before
When I tell you I'm getting bored, it's because I have felt that way before.
There's nothing wrong with us you're just self absorbed
Our relationship is fine, but you are too focused on yourself.
It was in your shadow but they don't know
Our relationship was overshadowed by something else, but outsiders are unaware of the full story.
I don't know everything but i've heard all the rumours in town,
I am not fully informed, but I have heard a lot of rumors about what might be happening.
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
There are problems in your relationship, and it will likely have negative consequences for you emotionally.
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Larz Gustafsson
Cool tune. Pure power pop.
TheBicthTV
i got to see this band a few times when i was a teenager. i wish i had appreciated them more then. i only liked metal and hardcore! anyway, i appreciate them now.
James Heath
This band is fucking brilliant
willieluncheonette
SECOND SONG BY THE EXPLODING HEARTS FROM THEIR DEBUT ALBUM IN 2002, GUITAR ROMANTIC.
Best heard by turning the volume down a bit on this post.
We've always been more than just good friends, but you know we've never been an item
And when he hurts you girl, come around here to spite him
I don't know everything but i heard all the rumors in town,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
We've always said things we didn't mean but now we say them more and more
So when i say to you i'm getting bored like i was before
I don't know anything but the word is getting around,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
There's nothing wrong with us you're just self absorbed
It was in the shadows but now they all know
I don't know everything but I've heard all the rumors in town,
There's trouble in paradise, your heart is gonna pay the price
Johannes Monsch
was listening to the solo, then suddenly liked it
Lance Forney
Damnit this is so legit. Thanks boys.
Jay Dingman
Yeah, well they're probably gone because what they sung is true. If you're not servicing the party line, and they don't with lines like, 'you're just self-absorbed, it was in your shadow, but now they don't know...your hearts gonna pay the price', then you DIE. The rationale there is that that is what they're singing about, as though they're saying, "then you DIE"
Mike Long
Miss this
Parks
❤
Tyler Durden
This is the best thing that never happened.... Proof we are all in Hell.