Their first single "Worried About Ray" reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in July 2007. In October 2007, they released their debut album The Trick to Life, which reached number 1 in the album charts. The band released their second top ten album The Illusion of Safety on 16 August 2010 and was preceded by the lead single "Choices" which was released on 1 August 2010, it reached the UK Top 20.
In July 2015, bassist Martin Skarendahl left the band in what was described by the remaining members as "one of the most amicable decisions in music history".[1]
Live By The Ocean
The Hoosiers Lyrics
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I did my best to fit in but I outstayed my welcome
I change my name and my friends, run till the land ends
But I'm always waiting for me, no matter how hard I pretend
Somewhere I can be free, so big it's swallowing me
Along with everything I used to be
Dive in before I explode, where armies are swallowed
Some many monsters in me
So many, so many, so many, many, many
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
Do what you want, not what you have to?
I want to live by the sea, wanna live by the ocean
Though I start over again, I'll never change where I come from
Loss of my momentum set me in motion
My heart and soul were for free but nobody would take them
Somewhere I can be free, so big it's swallowing me
Along with everything I used to be
Dive in before I explode, where armies are swallowed
Some many monsters in you, some many monsters in me
Some many monsters in me, so many
So many, so many, many, many
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
Follow me only if you want to
But do what you want, not what you have to
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
Do what you want, not what you have to?
Do what you want, not what you have to?
Tear it down and start over again
Tear it down and start over again
Tear it down and start over again
The lyrics to this song by The Hoosiers are about a person who is feeling stuck and suffocated in their current life, and is longing for a new beginning by the ocean. The singer expresses a desire to escape the monotony of their life and start over somewhere new, where they can be free and uninhibited. The line "I did my best to fit in but I outstayed my welcome" suggests that the person has tried to conform to societal norms, but ultimately feels out of place and unwelcome. The lyrics "Loss of my momentum set me in motion" suggests that perhaps something has caused the person's life to come to a halt, and they desperately need a change of scenery to reignite their passion for life.
The lines "Dive in before I explode, where armies are swallowed" are particularly poignant, as they suggest that the person feels like they are on the brink of a breakdown, and may need to completely immerse themselves in the ocean to find any sort of solace or relief. The reference to "monsters" could represent the person's fears and anxieties that they are running from, or it could represent the societal pressures that they feel are holding them back.
The chorus of the song asks the listener to consider doing what they want to do, instead of what they feel obligated to do. It's a call to action for anyone who may be feeling stuck in their own lives, and a reminder that it's important to prioritize your own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live by the sea, live by the ocean
The singer desires to live near the sea or ocean to find solace.
I did my best to fit in but I outstayed my welcome
The singer tried to fit in but eventually overstayed their welcome in a certain place.
I change my name and my friends, run till the land ends
The singer tries to change their identity and their surroundings to find happiness but never really succeeds.
But I'm always waiting for me, no matter how hard I pretend
The singer is constantly searching for themselves and can't pretend to be anyone else.
Somewhere I can be free, so big it's swallowing me
The singer desires a place where they can be free, but the vastness of that place could end up consuming them.
Along with everything I used to be
The singer is willing to give up their past self to find inner peace.
Dive in before I explode, where armies are swallowed
The singer wants to plunge into something risky and uncertain before they break down. A place where their problems would be insignificant.
Some many monsters in you, some many monsters in me
The singer and the people around them have their own demons that need to be confronted.
For once in your lifetime will you
Do what you want, not what you have to?
The singer urges listeners to take control of their lives and do what they truly want, not what society expects them to do.
Though I start over again, I'll never change where I come from
The singer will start over again, but their roots will always be an essential part of their identity.
Loss of my momentum set me in motion
The singer experienced a setback that eventually pushed them forward.
My heart and soul were for free but nobody would take them
The singer was willing to give away their love or passion, but nobody wanted to accept it.
Follow me only if you want to
But do what you want, not what you have to
The singer invites others to follow them only if they want to and advises them to follow their heart and do what they genuinely desire.
Tear it down and start over again
The singer encourages listeners to dismantle their struggles and start anew.
Contributed by Aria A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.