The Explosion is a punk rock band which formed in Boston, Massachusetts, Un… Read Full Bio ↴The Explosion is a punk rock band which formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States in 1998. For most of their career, the band's lineup consisted of Matt Hock (vocals), David Walsh (guitar), Sam Cave (guitar), Damian Genuardi (bass), and Andrew Black (drums). Cave left the band in 2004 and was replaced by Christopher Gonzales. Over the course of their career, The Explosion issued two full length albums - "Flash Flash Flash" (2000) and "Black Tape" (2004) , three EPs, and had a minor American alternative rock radio hit with "Here I Am" in 2004. After leaving Virgin Records in 2007, the band disbanded later that year. The Explosion later regrouped for reunion concerts in 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2019.

Here I Am
The Explosion Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's poison in the boys in blue,
There's poison in the boys in blue...
Corruption, greed and feud are all I see!

You're in a disarray,
Things used to be a different way,
Whatever happened to the golden age?

It's gone, yeah, it's gone away...
So don't ever turn your back again...
(One false move and we're all dead.)

Here I am,
Here I am,
Here I am.
I'm back at the crossroads again...
Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
On top of the mountain again!

There's movement in the distance,
Gunshots are what I hear,
This petty resistance is all I see!

I want to walk away...
Remember better days...
We watch the death of something beautiful!

It's gone, yeah, it's gone away...
So don't ever turn your back again...
(One false move and we're all dead.)

Here I am,
Here I am,
Here I am.
I'm back at the crossroads again...
Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
On top of the mountain again!

When we find a problem,
We never look back and say,
"One chance, one moment,
It's gone so easily!"

Well, here I am,
Here I am,
Here I am...
I'm back at the crossroads again...
Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
On top of the mountain again!

Oh, here I am,
Here I am,
Here I am...
I'm back at the crossroads again...

Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
On top of the mountain again!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Explosion's song "Here I Am" convey a sense of disillusionment and despair with the state of society, particularly with the corruption and abuse of power by those in positions of authority. The repeated refrain "There's poison in the boys in blue, Corruption, greed and feud are all I see" suggests a distrust and weariness towards law enforcement and those who hold political and social power.

The singer laments the loss of a golden age and the death of something beautiful. The verses also convey a sense of distance and detachment from violence and upheaval, as if the singer wants to walk away from the struggle but is pulled back by a sense of responsibility or obligation to stand on top of the mountain again.

Overall, the lyrics evoke a feeling of frustration, despair, and a yearning for a better world.

Line by Line Meaning

There's poison in the boys in blue,
The police force is corrupt and untrustworthy.

Corruption, greed and feud are all I see!
These negative qualities are prevalent in society as a whole.

You're in a disarray,
The situation is chaotic and disorganized.

Things used to be a different way,
The past was better than the present.

Whatever happened to the golden age?
What happened to the time of prosperity and happiness?

It's gone, yeah, it's gone away...
The golden age is no more.

So don't ever turn your back again...
Remain vigilant and alert or face the consequences.

(One false move and we're all dead.)
Any mistake could lead to dire consequences for everyone.

Here I am,
The artist is present and ready.

I'm back at the crossroads again...
The artist is faced with a difficult decision or situation.

Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
The singer wants to remain strong and steadfast.

On top of the mountain again!
The artist wants to achieve a great victory or success.

There's movement in the distance,
Something is happening in the distance.

Gunshots are what I hear,
There is violence and danger nearby.

This petty resistance is all I see!
The opposition is weak and not a real threat.

I want to walk away...
The situation is unpleasant and the artist wants to leave.

Remember better days...
The artist longs for a happier time in the past.

We watch the death of something beautiful!
Something good or beautiful is being destroyed.

When we find a problem,
When we encounter an issue or challenge.

We never look back and say,
We don't reflect on our past mistakes.

"One chance, one moment,
We only have limited opportunities to make things right.

It's gone so easily!"
We often miss our chance to fix things and it's gone forever.

Oh, here I am,
The singer is present and ready.

I'm back at the crossroads again...
The artist is faced with a difficult decision or situation.

Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand,
The singer wants to remain strong and steadfast.

On top of the mountain again!
The singer wants to achieve a great victory or success.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HEATHER LYNN MORGAN, SKIP BLACK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@VEHICLEFAN5500

4y↑59

[Verse 1]
There's poison in the boys in blue
There's poison in the boys in blue
Corruption, greed, and feud are all I see
You're in a disarray
Things used to be a different way
Whatever happened to the golden age
It's gone, yeah, it's gone away
So don't ever turn your back again
(One false move and we're all dead)

[Chorus]
Here I am, here I am, here I am
I'm back at the crossroads again
Oh, let me stand, let me stand, let me stand
On top of the mountain again

[Verse 2]
There's movement in the distance
Gunshots are all I hear
This petty resistance is all I see
I want to walk away
Remember better days
We watch the death of something beautiful
It's gone, yeah, it's gone away
So don't ever turn your back again
(One false move and we're all dead)
ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
When we find a problem
We never look back and say
One chance, one momment
It's gone so easily

Well...

[Chorus] x2

All comments from YouTube:

@dannydsi3d

9y↑703

THUG 2, Burnout 3, and Cars brought me here.

@pianonian7314

7y↑49

man that cars game really brings me back.

@chdreturns

7y↑35

GameMaster That Cars game was a rare licensed title done right. And it tied up the first movie very well.

@_Devil

6y↑5

Cars?

@aztroboy1450

6y↑15

Cars the video game

@patrickthetowtruckguyspong5266

@@chdreturns Rare Licensed? What?!

39 More Replies...

@idkwhattotypebruh

39w↑19

Back when video games cared about your entertainment rather than your pockets. THUG 2 all day

@danbrown4420

3y↑169

I wake up, this song is in my head randomly for the 1st time in years. I listen here, all is good.

@Chris-yy5pj

3y↑12

God is real. Who else would put this great song in your head randomly a decade later? Same thing happened to me 😂

@marcchallande4924

2y↑4

Still here as welllllll

@helenk299

2y↑3

@@marcchallande4924 same

@nemo8319

2y↑2

Same haha

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑2

Same here dude.

@FlashTempo

2y↑61

criminally underappreciated band . I still like this song after all those years

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑5

After all those years I still love this song it’s so great

@elimorrison8661

1y↑1

Sad they split ways back in 2014

@Diecastbuffet

3y↑39

2000’s for life!

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑3

Always I'm a 2001 kid here '01

@christianharrison919

37w↑2

28 years old you really had to play thug 2 to understand how much this song means

@VenomPichu

52w↑7

Burnout 3 and Cars: The Video Game memories… 🥲

@sharppunk

12y↑53

My first friend was Matt's little brother. It was amazing growing up knowing the lead singer. Such a great guy. And their music was so good. R.I.P. such a great band.

@crazyworld014

5y↑105

I remember being a kid and this song being one of fondest favorites on one of the best skating games to come out ever. It got me through a lot of hard times when I finally became an adult. Thanks The Explosion and THUG 2, I'll never forget this track having that kind of impact in my life.

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑3

Same here dude because of this song I grew up listening to it as a kid in my childhood.

@judith4evabarsi430

8y↑95

Burnout 3 Take down. Memories!. So much love. Awesome sounds. Great driving song this one.

@eriksalas9551

8y↑3

its true

@ErikGarcia07

8y↑1

Yeesss!

@lethalfox3847

7y↑2

if there were only a way to bring back burnout 3 and all the other games for a new console. call it a remastered edition

@impatientskate7535

7y↑1

Im a Dixon honestly nowadays neversoft or activision could give two shits about them they left us with great soundtracks now there bringing us shit

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑1

Don’t forget Cars the video game and Tony Hawk’s UnderGround 2 buddy

3 More Replies...

@swordimpulse07

4y↑19

The golden age was before coronavirus

@Tera15

4y↑2

Sad fact.

@Mitchel-lz9um

6y↑128

Comments:
99% - Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Cars, & Burnout 3 Takedown
1% - Skatepunk genre
0% - I ❤ The Explosion!

@KareemEmotion

4y↑1

I guess this is one of those overlooked bands.

@Raul1sho

4y↑4

Skate punk genere is god

@erickramirez9323

4y↑2

Mitchel 7346 don’t forget midnight club

@Mitchel-lz9um

@@erickramirez9323 but that was No Revolution

@Tera15

3y↑1

Bruh I was here BECAUSE of The Explosion. Without them, this song would've never existed.

@danydaniel12345

10y↑326

Burnout 3 Song, back when EA games were good and Non-Evil, and music didn't sound like Sh*t

@danydaniel12345

10y

***** :D

@danydaniel12345

10y↑1

*****
heck yeah, loved that. Hopefully good times will come back again!

@lewancsgo

9y↑3

THUG2 > Burnout 3. Soz bro.

@DrAngelMachine

My absolute FAVORITE racing game of ALL TIME. It was the first Burnout game I EVER owned and played, and SHIT was i fucking amazed to own it. :DDD

@tylersprouse6861

lewan I never played Thug2, but Burnout was literally my childhood 😂

4 More Replies...

@bigblackdaddyblue

8y↑35

"When we find a problem, we never look back and say, "one chance, one moment, it's gone so easily."

I love that part

@splitauto

9y↑289

In my opinion, THUG2 was the best tony hawk

@lewancsgo

9y↑18

In my opinion, THUG2 was the best game of all time.

@raphsieg007

• LewanTactical • Road To 250 Subs! Same here.

@lewancsgo

RaphSieg007 :D

@JCDenton2000

9y↑15

In my opinion 1 was better but THUG 2 was awesome as well. In fact I think all Tony hawk games from THPS 1 to American Wasteland are some of the best games ever :)

@maniegrobler672

8y↑6

+Cory Baxter Proving grounds was an epic one for me. Although there were no in the feels originality like THUG 2. Thug 2 was old school. FIRECRACKERS AWAY! SKATOPIA!

13 More Replies...

@Mx64MaxyImpress

5y↑32

Tony Hawk Underground 2
Burnout 3:Takedown
Cars

I miss 2004-2006

@tomfisher7751

10y↑138

This song never gets old so many memories

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑3

No it doesn't man. This song's my childhood from the video game Tony Hawk's Underground 2 I always played it at my grandma's house when I was a kid on the PS2.

@tomfisher7751

2y↑2

@@brandoncazares8452 can't believe I posted that 8 years ago.

@tomfisher7751

2y↑2

@@brandoncazares8452 I used to play that game all the time too

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑2

@@tomfisher7751 Yeah me too and I used to play Cars the video game all the time too for the PC and PS2 at my house

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑2

@@tomfisher7751 For reals man time flies yet 8 years ago went really fast

@PokerPlayerJames

9y↑218

Sigh... Oh THUG2, how I loved thee.

@r3ikobomb

9y↑3

I'm with you on that brother. Spent many times online with that gem.

@lewancsgo

9y↑4

Why not go back? I went on this game last week and almost cried lmao such good times

@LuchaGangsta

9y↑2

• LewanTactical • Road To 250 Subs! dude I feel you. Everytime I go back to play THUG2, & hear this song I get those nostalgic feels

@lewancsgo

9y↑1

LuchaGangsta Such a good game, the nostalgia is real on PS2 Thug 2. I'm only a teenager, but I still remember the good times playing with my 20 year old brother on PS2 :)

@r3ikobomb

9y↑5

I remember when I first started playing online, the hot thing to do was to corner glitch walls to go out of bounds. It was quite fun and made a lot of friends! The lava area is skateable and huge in the Pro Skater level!

6 More Replies...

@mykplaze193

2y↑38

Fun fact: I originally heard this song on the Burnout 3 soundtrack and that version was actually edited! The first two lines of the first verse are removed and the remaining verses are spliced around and repeated instead. I was really thrown off when I heard the original version on Spotify haha

@rubenotero7100

2y↑3

Didn't expect a game like burnout to be bootlickers lmao

@tboneavery96

27w

I remember doing a perfect race with 0 recks when I was 7 and this song was playing. Core memory for me.

@bubbaguitar7424

4y↑22

This album "Black Tape" is f'ing fantastic, 5 star. They still play the occasional live show, opened for Dave Hause (lead singer from the Loved Ones) here in NYC at Bowery Ballroom, few weeks ago 3/11/20, one of last shows before the whole quarantine thing hit. They bring it live, legit!

@austinhubbartt695

1y↑7

16 skating around my hometown all summer long listening to this song and plenty others, getting into trouble, drinking, doing mushrooms and just about everything else I could get my hands on, spiked Jean jacket with patches all over. Now I'm 32, got a kiddo on the way, drinking a couple beers and in bed by 10:30. I will always cherish the days long gone.

@Traxity

8y↑45

Damn the cars game, that brings me back

@sharker102

8y↑7

Here I am Here I am Here I am
I'm back at the crossroads again
Let me stand Let me stand Let me stand
On top of the mountain again

@brandoncazares8452

2y↑13

This song reminds me of my childhood because I always used to play THUG 2 on the PS2 and I still love this song today.

@PLMacflyPL

2y↑1

THUG 1 and THUG 2 on PC bro ;-) Good memories ;-)

@brandoncazares8452

@@PLMacflyPL You played them on PC instead of PS2 bro.

@brandoncazares8452

@@PLMacflyPL Because for me I used to play THUG 2 on my uncle's PS2 at my grandma's house when I was a kid. It's great memories dude.

@ThePython1999

2y↑27

This brings back so many childhood memories. I love this song!!!

@brandoncazares8452

Yeah same for me I love this song

@dspeedYT

2y↑13

even though cars only has the instrumental version, i still sing along while playing

@daveyenglish3265

8y↑47

Hey what's up this is striker, you're listening to crashfm! :D

@jhsrt985

4y↑2

Best fucking DJ ever. Fight me

@executioner4115

4y↑1

@@jhsrt985
Tommy "The Nightmare" Smith - K-DST
Sage - Radio-X

@inspectrgdgt

10y↑12

Thug 2 was one of the best games ever made and will always be.

@wayneacuff7936

35w↑3

2023 and still here…

@39Panzerman

7w↑3

I got my first cellphone around 2007 and for some reason this song was on the audio files lol love coming back to it once in a while

@jacksonmade3667

47w↑4

Here I am, Here I am, Here I am…
I’m back at this song again lol 😂

@DefrankedChannel

8y↑174

Tony Hawks Underground 2, anyone?

@Dyxer84

8y↑1

+Defranked Everyone

@lautarosarsa1260

Me 😭

@yurimoura8898

Me too !!!
hahahahaha

@iscape782

ya haha

@lordmegatron65

7y↑7

Defranked nope I'm here from burnout 3 takedown

7 More Replies...

@04tacomaguy1

30w↑3

This is good punk music wish it never lost this sound these days :(

@mybrickhead

9y↑67

THUG 2 and Cars... good times :')

@lordmegatron65

9y↑8

And Burnout 3: Takedown :)

@leongaming8727

7y↑1

yeah cars its my fav opening song video games:)
also cars,thug2,burnot3 its my childhood games in ps2.i miss my ps2:(

@diamondlegall8519

Don't forget about lazy generation

@PYROTEKNIK69

4y↑1

chungus

@VEHICLEFAN5500

4y↑59

@DIP_BUH1207

3y↑8

This explains why cars only used the instrumental version. First time hearing the lyrics too in years

@guitarguy3221

2y↑3

Never understood the first line 😂 ty for this

@ynz9214

2y↑4

@@DIP_BUH1207 yeah, maybe the lyrics were too harsh for kids. That explains why I was thrown off when I heard the version with the lyrics for the first time, years later after completing the game.

@Super_Hydra

48w↑3

Why does the song in burn out 3 start with "there's movement in the distance, disputes are all i hear"?

@Mx64MaxyImpress

46w

Yeah, I thought they said pussy instead poison, no wonder in Burnout 3 it just immediately skip to "Corruption..."

1 More Replies...

@katt842

12y↑7

I wish The Explosion was still around, so much great music could have been made...

@mickaelaria

10y↑51

so there was actually a skate punk genre?it sounds so refreshing,i want more of it actually

@Yellowpage86

10y↑10

Millencolin practicly invented it. ;)

@thedopestgamer28

7y↑1

mickaelaria me2

@Mitchel-lz9um

6y↑1

mickaelaria then listen to songs by Millencolin, the creators of Skatepunk.

@KRamone27

5y↑7

So Pennywise or the offspring didn’t have anything to do with it huh?

@insertnamehere5106

5y↑3

@@Mitchel-lz9um i think you mean JFA created the skate punk genre

5 More Replies...

@blueneonpaw6611

1y↑6

It’s so weird with music how we went from this 20 years ago to full on computer made rap and pop. I mean people don’t even know this type of stuff exists anymore.

@slotgamerpro6476

3y↑13

De mis favoritas de Burnout 3

@citizencr4o

10y↑52

Man, i loved Burnout 3

@_itchweed

10y↑39

thug 2... such good times

@Crotchlickmeoff

10y↑10

Thank you Tony Hawk's Underground for having me discover this awesome song.

@damian0570

9y↑27

Burnout 3 and Cars woah good times

@SavageLynelButtPlug

8y↑57

Tony Hawk's Underground 2!

@metalmovez5220

27w↑1

Underrated track. Burnout 3 baby

@HSimon1981

42w↑2

I'd love to thank Burnout 3 for introducing me to this awesome song

@TomteeriffNash-zh2vn

35w↑3

Nostalgia.

@luis27xd89

31w↑1

Asi es bro.

@XxMrManxX9451

3y↑4

Damn, this gives me memories from what seems like a lifetime ago. If you’re still here in 2021...you’re a legend ❤️👍✌️

@19Redtide

10y↑75

i miss thug 2 :(

@MrBananun

10y↑16

I still have it, and actually play it sometimes. :D

@trev827

9y↑5

Groetjes im playing it right now lol the story is so addicting

@carsonp.7009

8y↑1

+Trev x ohhh Bam Margeura

@alanjohnsonbmw

2y↑2

Thug crew represent 😎 my childhood right here!

@shanecoyle3676

2y↑3

I'm genuinely tearing up on the train from the nostalgia

@alejandrorodrigiuez123

9y↑30

Thug2 haha good times...why can't music and games be good like this?/:

@yuricampos6594

alejandro rodrigiuez Br ?

@zi8gzag

8y↑6

+alejandro rodrigiuez What happened to the golden age? I wanna walk away remember better days. We witnessed the end of something beautiful.

@skateedits1499

7y↑1

alejandro rodrigiuez because everyone is following those fucking trends today😐 and almost everyone is a wannabe

@FlavioThepianist

@@skateedits1499 so true man.

@Paynecars

4y↑5

1:40
That guitar... Is iconic.

@gamerguy425

1y↑2

I've listened to this song so many thousands of times for almost 20 years now and only gets better with time. Definitely they're most iconic signature song along with No Revolution!

@embryocean9870

3y↑3

This is one of the most influential songs of my entire life.. and EVERY time.. I hear this passionate song.. I will sing it at the top of my lungs in front of any audience.. this is pure passion and the definition of beautiful music

@deathmachine808

8y↑2

never played any skating games but had the pleasure to meet the explosion a few times - great band, great guys

@deangardner3030

3y↑2

THUG 2😢 “what ever happened to the golden age?” time flies

@wezcurrie4040

5y↑1

Punk rock bought me here.

@Mario87456

44w↑3

I only just found out today that this song has lyrics since I started Blu ever heard the instrumental version in Cars so hearing the lyrics is actually quite weird to me.

@brolsroyceyt2362

51w

TY Tony Hawk Underground 2 for having this Song 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾

@LINEN530

21w

Brings back THUG2 nostalgia ❤

@NOVAsteamed

Was very young during those days but happy to remember it

@gameryouth3939

8y↑4

Man this brings me back.

@212th

8y↑21

Burnout 3 back in the day

@RacingGamerJosh

4y↑1

Burnout 3, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, and Cars The Videogame.

I want the fucking 2000s back god damnit!

@Zieu

10y↑3

Timeless song, love it. The fact that the lead singer looks like Paul Flowers from Scrubs is just a chuckle-worthy bonus

@yourlocalcashregister1123

3y↑2

How can a song like this portray this year so well

@Fire99King

10y↑20

Cars,bornout 3,tony hawk <3

@nox1010

11y↑1

Saw these at Nottingham Rock City in 2004, The Explosion, Millencolin and Swingin' Utters were supporting acts for (Not Very) Good Charlotte lol, I watched all the "supporting acts" then went home very very happy wearing an Explosion t shirt !!

@xz888zx6

9y↑3

After about 10 years this is the first time I've actually heard the singing in this.

@demolitionman590

23w↑2

Tony Hawk Underground 2 me mostrou um monte de músicas incríveis que amo até hoje

@BillyBillyandMandyReal

3y↑1

Just started playing the Cars video game again
And I have memories of THUG2
Great song

@ajmiklos5405

1y↑4

cars the videogame brought me here

@tairyhestical9562

6y↑1

i wish we could just go back and make talented people and good music popular again. didn't know that this would all end.

@maniegrobler672

8y↑1

Sad this song only has the amount of views that it has. This is a huge part of my childhood. THUG 2 and Burnout 3... Nostalgia...

@cactoos9793

6y↑2

I came from Cars. Old memories. :3

@ScalyRaptor1944

30w↑1

Never new this had lyrics until today and i was aware of this song since 2010

@mrs117firewife8

1y↑2

Burnout brought me here!

@xX_TwO_K_TeN_Xx

Burnout 3 didnt never Die ❤

@bayronvillalobos8205

10w

Still rocking this in 2024!

@JasperSTV

13y

Remember my old Xbox. Burnout 3 Takedown and Tony Hawk's Underground 2. Seriously 1995-2005 were the days, better music, games etc. I want it back..

@s1kicks

5y↑2

These guys are so underrated I wish these guys could have at least 500k they deserve this same with other artists:)

@soph.4745

9y↑6

This was one of my favorite songs in Burnout 3

@fonnzy_bruh9437

4y↑2

I love how they bring my inner kid spirit back alive brings me back to a place of happiness rock on lil dude

@yumiidaishnesdropa6520

8y↑3

Tony hawk's underground brought me here, my favorite song in a game

@METH_TILL_DEATH

4y↑1

wow time flys! i used to play THUG 2 and burnout 3 so much on ps2, now i am going to be 26 this year i miss the good old days

@TheVVildHunt

6y↑1

Holy smokes, this was shot in Boston! This is awesome!

@rmkw4291

7y↑1

THUG 2 and Burnout 3. Two kick ass games from my teenage years.

@mister200e3

3y↑18

Rock que pocos conosen pero es igual de genial
Esta y la de no rebolution son las mejores de estos artistas para mi

@ahiccupinparadi5e

8y↑7

I literally searched the internet for an entire day to find this song.

@kevinDMC12

2y↑1

the mid 2000's was so awesome i miss thoses times

@Mattmoo36

12y

WELCOME BACK! For those who don't know, The Explosion is back and are scheduled to play with The Bouncing Souls in NJ on December 28th.

@hinorim

I miss my old times

@bobfranco1886

2y↑1

Going on 2022 and well Here I am! Here I am! Here I aam!!! 😎✌🏼

@thekowbow1759

9y↑3

Ohhh man the memories I ha with underground 2 :')

@FANGwoof

13y↑1

When this song came out I remember someone saying that they wish they could play this on an alarm clock so they woke up to it every morning. I agree with that person. :3