The Frames have been together since 1990 and are a survivor of Dublin's prolific early 90's rock and roll scene. They have also been essential in the development of the current crop of emerging Irish rock bands, such as Turn. The Frames have toured with various other Irish artists, including Damien Rice and Bell X1. In December 2004, Hansard appeared on stage in a collaboration with singer songwriter Paddy Casey.
The name The Frames reportedly arose from Hansard's habit, at a young age, of fixing the bicycles of many of his friends. The large number of bicycle frames lying around his house led neighbours to dub it the "house with the frames".
Their new, 6th studio album, The Cost, is available in Ireland since 22 September 2006 and worldwide since 20 February 2007.
Lead singer Hansard recently collaborated with Czech musician Markéta Irglová, which led to the solo album "The Swell Season". Glen and Markéta also star and perform in the John Carney movie Once (www.oncethemovie.com). The movie received several awards including the World Cinema Audience Award - Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival as well as an Oscar for best Song for the track "Falling Slowly".
On several occasions the members of The frames appear on stage during the Swell season gigs.
www.theframes.ie
Live Forever
The Frames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I'm banging on a dead nail
I pull your mask around your face
And pack your castle in a big case
You're not a sage
But you know you're always on a big stage
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
He was just a guy with his plan
Pitchin' rubbers with his rain-tan
I took a date from the two day dance
I kissed my girl in pretty blue pants
Got to shake your hand
You know I've always been a big fan
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
On holiday when she was away, I was always
Never gonna, ever gonna
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna live forever
Stop right there, I got a dare
You pull your plan and dig your heal
Spin your castle on a bent wheel
Pull your mask around your face
And throw your hands into a big space
I'm not just gonna stand like I'm
Waiting for the big hand
I'm gonna live forever!
The Frames’ song “Live Forever” is a melancholic pop-rock song that conveys a sense of unfulfilled ambition and longing for greatness. The lyrics depict the feelings of the singer who seems to be stuck in a rut, unable to shake off a feeling of disillusionment and uncertainty. The first verse suggests a lack of purpose and direction as the singer runs their hands along the rail, a symbol of routine and mundanity, and bangs on a dead nail. The second verse goes on to describe a past moment of happiness, perhaps the peak of the singer’s life, where they kissed their girl in pretty blue pants, a memory that contrasts with the singer’s current struggles.
The chorus, which is repeated four times, is an interesting paradox as it speaks of living forever, something that is not humanly possible. It’s as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they can somehow escape their mundane life, that they can achieve greatness and live forever through their legacy. The phrase “I’m gonna live forever” almost sounds like an affirmation, like a spell to cast away the singer’s feelings of failure and mediocrity. The last verse is a defiant call to take action, stop waiting for something to happen, and instead make things happen. The song ends on a high note, suggesting that despite the singer’s struggles, they still have the drive and determination to live forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I run my hands along the rail
I touch the railing, feeling the cold metal under my palms
Like I'm banging on a dead nail
It feels as though I'm striking a nail that's already been pounded into wood
I pull your mask around your face
I tug at the edges of your mask, covering your face
And pack your castle in a big case
I gather up your belongings and place them in a large container
You're not a sage
You may not be wise or all-knowing
But you know you're always on a big stage
You understand that you have an audience and are always in the spotlight
I'm gonna live forever
I am going to exist eternally; my legacy will never die
He was just a guy with his plan
He was an ordinary man with his strategy
Pitchin' rubbers with his rain-tan
He sold rubber items, wearing a coat to protect himself from the weather
I took a date from the two day dance
I accompanied someone to a dance that lasted for two days
I kissed my girl in pretty blue pants
I kissed my love while she wore attractive blue trousers
Got to shake your hand
I'm delighted I was able to meet you and touch your hand
You know I've always been a big fan
You're aware that I've been an admirer for a long time
On holiday when she was away, I was always
During my vacation, when she was not present, I would consistently
Never gonna, ever gonna
I vow that I will never
Stop right there, I got a dare
Halt! I have a challenge for you
You pull your plan and dig your heal
You can execute your strategy and be steadfast in it
Spin your castle on a bent wheel
Make your fortress whirl on a crooked axle
And throw your hands into a big space
Extend your arms freely to a wide area
I'm not just gonna stand like I'm
I won't merely wait idly like I am
Waiting for the big hand
Anticipating for an opportunity or the perfect moment
I'm gonna live forever!
I insist that I will endure forever; I will achieve immortality
Contributed by Bentley B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.