In these days of instant gratification and apathy, it's refreshing to see a… Read Full Bio ↴In these days of instant gratification and apathy, it's refreshing to see a band looking at things a little differently. Sitting somewhere between Folk-Rock and Indie-Pop, without slotting neatly in to either pigeonhole, The Haiku, proudly independent and fiercely original, refer to their musical creation as “Power Folk”.

They have been around since 2006, and are constantly honing and improving their craft. Their line up, consisting of punk-folk acoustic guitar, vocals and drums (with a little piano thrown in for good measure) is certainly not your average indie-rock band and audiences are often taken by surprise at the intensity and quality of the sound created by such a minimal arrangement. The Haiku show that the acoustic guitar does not have to be a quiet instrument.

Each and every show is an energetic performance of incredibly personal songs, which somehow manage to speak to each individual member of the audience. Anyone who’s ever loved and lost; or been disillusioned with the state of the world; or been frustrated with the unfairness of life; yet enjoyed the feeling of hope for the future, will understand and appreciate what The Haiku have to offer.

Their work ethic is pleasantly different, and you'd be hard pressed to find a band around today who put more effort in. Regular interaction with fans is something the band take very seriously, and they are acutely aware that without people to listen, the band means nothing. Thankfully, people do want to listen, now moreso than ever.

The differences don't stop with the music either. The band are highly professional about how they manage themselves, and are more than happy to remain independent from the standard “record company” route, to which many bands aspire. Doing it their own way allows them more room to express themselves without compromising, and importantly they can stay close to their fanbase. Every single CD you can buy from their self maintained website, (www.thehaiku.co.uk) - or from one of their numerous gigs around the country, is hand made and often personalised.

Drink It Away
The Haiku Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take all these knives
I'm sure they belong to you
I'll keep handing them back
So you can do what you do
Again and again and again and again and again

I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear

What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer
I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer

Feed me a line
I'll believe every word you say
I'll tell you the same things...
That I say everytime
Again and again and again and again and again

I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer
I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer

Drink it away
Drink it away 'til it's gone
Drink it away
Drink it away, but it's still right here
It still lingers on

I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer
I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer

Drink it away
Drink it away 'til it's gone
Drink it away

Drink it away, but it's still right here
It still lingers on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Haiku's song "Drink It Away" are an expression of the singer's dependence on alcohol to numb emotional pain and fear. The first verse is a desperate plea to get rid of the knives that belong to someone else, implying that the person has no control over the situation and is willing to hand over anything that could be dangerous. The repetition of "again and again" suggests an endless cycle of pain and violence.

The chorus is the main message of the song. The singer seeks solace in alcohol, using it as a temporary escape from their troubles. They question the point of life and choose to live in the moment, making another beer their only goal. By repeating the same verse twice, the singer emphasizes their submission to alcohol and their desire to forget their problems.

The second verse describes a dysfunctional relationship dynamic where the singer blindly believes whatever the other person tells them, reinforcing their cycle of abuse. The repetition of "again and again" amplifies the futility of their situation.

The song ends with a final plea to drink away the pain, but the repetition of the line "It still lingers on" shows the fleeting effect of alcohol and the long-term consequences of avoiding problems. In essence, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of using substances to cope with emotional trauma.

Line by Line Meaning

Take all these knives
I acknowledge the emotional pain in me

I'm sure they belong to you
The pain stems from someone else's actions

I'll keep handing them back
I continue to feel the pain but try to let go

So you can do what you do
I accept that I cannot change the other person's behavior

Again and again and again and again and again
The pain is repetitive and ongoing

I'll take a drink to forget the pain
I use alcohol to cope with the emotional pain

And another to forget the fear
I also use alcohol to suppress my fears

What's the point in it all anyway?
I question the purpose of my existence and the point of my pain

So make mine another beer
I continue to drink instead of facing my pain

Feed me a line
I easily believe what others tell me because of my emotional state

I'll believe every word you say
I put my trust in others without questioning their motives