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.
Sleeping Aides & Razorblades
The Exploding Hearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya know it's been such a long long time
It's a little offbeat and it ain't in tune ya know it's just like this heart of mine
And it hurt
When you went away
And all I wanted you to do was stay
But your friends said it wouldn't last
It was up to you to prove them wrong
But you couldn't even do that
And if it hurt, when you left
Ya know you're only hurtin' yourself
Ya know the first night you left me babe, it was so hard
And it didn't hurt you told all my friends I'm a retard
And ya say you know what's best for me
Well if you got your way, I'd have a lobotomy
I got new girls and I'm runnin' around
The house doesn't look the same
I hung new posters on my wall and the dog don't remember your name
And if it hurt, when you left
Ya know you're hurtin' yourself
You can try to change your heart, that's true
But ya never ever ever do
Ohhhh baby you never ever do
I'll tell you something, you never ever do
Sleeping aides
And razorblades
Tear stained pictures of younger days
Broken mirrors and a bloody nose
Late night TV rerun episodes
The lyrics to "Sleeping Aides & Razorblades" by The Exploding Hearts depict the singer's emotional pain and heartbreak caused by a failed relationship. The song starts with the singer expressing how the song they heard made them feel bad, highlighting how it has been a long time since they felt this way. They compare the offbeat and out-of-tune nature of the music to their own heart, suggesting that their heart feels misaligned and broken.
The lyrics further portray the hurt and longing for the person who left them. The singer mentions that they wanted the person to stay, emphasizing their desire for the relationship to continue. They reflect on the plans they had together and how their friends doubted the relationship's longevity. The responsibility to prove them wrong was ultimately on the person who left, but they failed to do so. The lyrics imply that the person's actions not only hurt the singer but also themselves.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses the initial difficulty and pain of the breakup. They mention how the person told their friends negative things about them, which only added to their emotional distress. The singer accuses the person of claiming to know what is best for them, even suggesting that if they had their way, they would be forced into a lobotomy, metaphorically showing how the person's influence would rob them of their individuality and decision-making.
The final verses of the song reveal that the singer has moved on from the relationship. They have new partners and have made changes in their life, such as hanging new posters on the wall and their dog not remembering the person's name. The repeated mention of hurting oneself signifies that the person who left is responsible for their own pain and regrets.
Overall, "Sleeping Aides & Razorblades" conveys the emotional turmoil of a failed relationship, highlighting the singer's distress, longing, and eventual resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I felt so bad when I heard that song
I experienced deep sadness upon hearing that particular song.
Ya know it's been such a long long time
It has been an extended period since that event occurred.
It's a little offbeat and it ain't in tune ya know it's just like this heart of mine
Similar to my own heart, the song has a slightly unconventional and discordant nature.
And it hurt
The situation caused emotional pain.
When you went away
The pain was triggered by your departure.
And all I wanted you to do was stay
My only desire was for you to remain with me.
Going steady ya we had big plans
We were in a committed relationship and had ambitious aspirations.
But your friends said it wouldn't last
However, your friends doubted the longevity of our relationship.
It was up to you to prove them wrong
The burden fell upon you to demonstrate their skepticism was unfounded.
But you couldn't even do that
Unfortunately, you were unable to accomplish this task.
And if it hurt, when you left
If the pain was experienced during your departure
Ya know you're only hurtin' yourself
It becomes evident that you are causing harm solely to yourself.
Ya know the first night you left me babe, it was so hard
The initial night following your departure was incredibly difficult.
And it didn't hurt you told all my friends I'm a retard
To my surprise, you openly and derogatorily shared with my friends that I am mentally challenged.
And ya say you know what's best for me
You claim to possess knowledge of what is most beneficial for me.
Well if you got your way, I'd have a lobotomy
If your preferences were fulfilled, I would undergo a surgical procedure to remove a portion of my brain.
I got new girls and I'm runnin' around
I have entered new romantic relationships and am actively socializing.
The house doesn't look the same
The appearance of my residence has changed significantly.
I hung new posters on my wall and the dog don't remember your name
I adorned my wall with fresh posters and even my dog no longer recalls your name.
You can try to change your heart, that's true
It is indeed possible for you to attempt altering your emotions.
But ya never ever ever do
However, you consistently fail to achieve such a transformation.
Ohhhh baby you never ever do
My dear, you perpetually fall short in this regard.
I'll tell you something, you never ever do
Allow me to inform you that you consistently disappoint in this aspect.
Sleeping aides
Medications used to assist with sleep disorders.
And razorblades
Sharp objects typically associated with self-harm.
Tear stained pictures of younger days
Photographs from the past marked with tear stains, symbolizing emotional distress.
Broken mirrors and a bloody nose
Fragmented mirrors and a nose that has experienced bleeding, indicative of a tumultuous and painful existence.
Late night TV rerun episodes
Repeatedly watching television programs that air during the late hours of the night.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adam Cox, Louie Bankston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KELTONWOLFE
Well I felt so bad when I heard that song,
Ya know it's been such a long long time,
It's a little offbeat and it ain't in tune ya know it's just like this heart of mine
And it hurt
When you went away
And all I wanted you to do was stay
Going steady ya we had big plans,
But your friends said it wouldn't last,
It was up to you to prove them wrong,
But you couldn't even do that
And if it hurt, when you left,
Ya know you're only hurtin' yourself
Ya know the first night you left me babe, it was so hard,
And it didn't hurt you told all my friends I'm a retard
And ya say you know what's best for me,
Well if you got your way, I'd have a lobotomy
I got new girls and I'm runnin' around,
The house doesn't look the same,
I hung new posters on my wall and the dog don't remember your name
And if it hurt, when you left,
Ya know you're hurtin' yourself
You can try to change your heart, that's true,
But ya never ever ever do
Ohhhh baby you never ever do
I'll tell you something, you never ever do
Sleeping aides
And razorblades,
Tear stained pictures of younger days,
Broken mirrors and a bloody nose,
Late night TV rerun episodes
@theneedledrop
catchy tune!
@johndee3868
fuck off tony pepperoni
@KeithSmerbeck
agreed - wish more people knew about this
@sonicrevic4928
My man Fantano
@DixieSchizo
Viper is better
@TomtheShoppingbag
hey shutup!
@opymcgillicuttysasmrmpitof3497
Taken too young. I've just started really appreciating them now. They really knew their stuff, and it showed for such young people. Would have been so great to see what else they would have done. Rest easy and ty for the awesome tunes.
@Graces_wrldASMR
Who’s here cause of Jake Webber lol 🖤
@RileiWilliams
Me lmao 😂
@lilwastebin2661
Me ✌🏻🤙🏻