The band was formed in 1994 after drummer Al Sobrante left the previous incarnation, The Ne'er Do Wells. Sobrante was replaced by drummer Julie, formerly of Red #9. Julie remained with the band through the recording of the first Lookout! Records album Welcome To My Mind. The title track was a minor hit on college radio and modern rock stations.
Julie left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by Evan from Benicia. The band was asked to open for Green Day during the 1994 Dookie tour, along with Pansy Division. Evan left the band after the tour and was replaced by Danny Seelig from the Phantom Surfers.
The band won a category in the 1996 Bay Area Music Awards ("Bammies") for "Outstanding Alternative Pop/Rock Group" and embarked on a tour in the United States and even a tour in Japan with the Mr. T Experience. While on U.S. tour with The Queers, Jess and Danny both quit the band onstage after a fight. They returned to record the second album And A Whole Lotta You, but both were soon replaced with Steve Faine, previously of Decal and The Stimmies; and Gary Gutfeld of Redemption 87.
The 1998 album Get Down followed but the band never quite recovered from the loss of Hilliard, who was really the heart and soul of the band. John Denery got married and moved to Hawaii, while Chris Imlay became an art director for such magazines as Gearhead and MacAddict. The band played a couple of shows in 2005, but the future of The Hi-Fives is unknown.
Black and Blue
The Hi-Fives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The Hi-Fives' song Black and Blue is a powerful piece that delves into the subject of racial discrimination and its effects on an individual. The first line of the song, "Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead, Pains in my head, feel like old Ned" portrays the emotional and physical pain that the individual is going through. The second verse, "No joys for me, no company, Even the mouse ran from my house, All my life through I've been so black and blue" talks about how the individual has been constantly rejected and isolated from society all their life.
The chorus of the song, "What did I do to be so black and blue?" brings attention to the fact that the individual is being discriminated against not because of any fault of their own, but because of the color of their skin. The third verse, "I'm white inside, but that don't help my case, Cause I can't hide what is on my face" shows how even though the individual might have good intentions and a pure heart, their skin color is still used to judge them unfairly.
The song ends on a melancholic note with "My only sin is in my skin, What did I do to be so black and blue?" which highlights the deep-seated racism that still exists in society today.
Overall, Black and Blue is a poignant song that sheds light on the struggles faced by those who are discriminated against because of their skin color.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I'm alone and my bed is uncomfortable
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am experiencing physical pain and discomfort
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am questioning why I am suffering so much
No joys for me, no company
I don't have any positive experiences or people in my life
Even the mouse ran from my house
I am so alone that even animals avoid me
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have always felt this way, my entire life
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
My internal character is pure, but my external appearance still causes me suffering
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My physical appearance displays my suffering and experiences
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am extremely sad and life feels like a painful obstacle
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am anguished and questioning the purpose of my existence
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I am pessimistic and don't have any support
My only sin is in my skin
My only flaw or mistake is in my outward appearance
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am repeating my question of why I am suffering so much
Tell me, what did I do?
I am sincerely asking for someone to tell me why I am suffering
What did I do? What did I do?
I am desperately seeking an answer for my suffering
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am still questioning why I am suffering so much
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
on Welcome to My Mind
Lyrics have now been updated - thanks Tehya
Tehya
on Welcome to My Mind
these aren't even the right lyrics? someone probably put lyrics for a different song with the same title.