1. Three-piece Christian rock b… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple bands named The Lads.
1. Three-piece Christian rock band from New Zealand.
2. An 80s new wave band from Massachusetts.
3. Punk group from Buffalo, NY.
1. The Lads are a three piece Christian rock band formed in New Zealand in 1993. In early 2005 the band moved to America, and they are currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. When discussing the move to America many of the previous members were unable to leave prior commitments in New Zealand, and major line-up changes resulted. The current line-up consists of Mark Millard (vocals), Tim Smith (guitars) and Steve King (drums). They have released a total of eight albums in their 15 year history, two of which won Gospel Album of the Year at the NZ Music Awards (Marvel and The Lads). They performed at every Parachute Music Festival from 1993-2005, earning them a cult status among many fans.
2. The Lads were a Bedford, MA indie group. The Lads played a tight skillful new wave oriented sound coupled with power pop influences. Their one and only album is soaked with bright, energetic and effectual melodies that stand up to any of the more popular acts from the early 80's. Out From The Shadows is highly recommended for the collector searching for a satisfying private press entry and desires a getaway from those more commercial offerings of the day.
3. Punk from sunny Buffalo, New York
Town
The Lads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to be so scared of going to Manners Mall
Of walking past those staring eyes that made me feel so small
Creeping up and down trying to find a fault to see
So they could lock me up inside and throw away the key
(V2)
I've tried being someone else just so I could belong
Although your words may hurt me it's time for me to go
I'm trying to be myself now
And I think that you should know that…
(CH)
I can go into town by myself if I want to
Look around at the world with my own eyes
I don't have to be afraid
Why do we try to be the same competing with each other
All dressed up in brown cords and pyjamas
Pretending to be cool
(V3)
I watched the world go by through the window of my mind
But how I saw myself made friends hard to find
I wasn't sure you liked me although I think you tried
I wanted you to like me, to fill the hole inside
(V4)
Accepting who I am did not come from being the best
Or earning popularity by passing all your tests
The thing that helped me most
Was when the realisation came
That there is a God who love's me
Who knows me by my name
The Lads' song "Town" explores the theme of self-acceptance and the pressure to conform to societal expectations in our daily lives. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who was once afraid to leave their comfort zone and walk alone in Manners Mall due to the constant stares of judgement from strangers. This person lived in constant fear of making mistakes and was even willing to become someone else just to feel accepted. However, the song takes a turn when the person decides to break free from this cycle and start embracing who they truly are. They no longer need the approval of others and are ready to explore the world on their own terms. The lyrics suggest that true self-acceptance comes from within and that external validation is unnecessary in finding one's place in the world.
The chorus of the song is a powerful anthem for anyone struggling with self-doubt and societal pressure to conform. The singer proclaims that they can go into town by themselves and look at the world through their own eyes. They don't need to conform to the norms of society and are no longer afraid to be themselves. The song encourages everyone to embrace their individuality and to not be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
Overall, "Town" is a song that speaks to the struggles that many people face when it comes to self-acceptance and conformity. It offers a message of hope and encourages listeners to be true to themselves and to embrace their uniqueness.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be so scared of going to Manners Mall
I was afraid of going to a certain place called Manners Mall
Of walking past those staring eyes that made me feel so small
I felt small and intimidated because people stared at me
Creeping up and down trying to find a fault to see
I was constantly looking for flaws in myself
So they could lock me up inside and throw away the key
I felt like I was going to be punished and locked up forever
I've tried being someone else just so I could belong
I pretended to be someone else to fit in
I've lived my life in fear of putting one foot wrong
I was constantly afraid of making mistakes
Although your words may hurt me it's time for me to go
I am ready to leave behind hurtful words and move forward
I'm trying to be myself now
I am finally trying to be true to myself
And I think that you should know that…
I want others to know the real me
I can go into town by myself if I want to
I am capable of going out alone
Look around at the world with my own eyes
I want to see the world through my own perspective
I don't have to be afraid
I am no longer afraid of being myself
Why do we try to be the same competing with each other
Why do we feel the need to compete by being identical to others
All dressed up in brown cords and pyjamas
Why do we try to fit in by dressing the same
Pretending to be cool
Why do we pretend to be something we're not
I watched the world go by through the window of my mind
I observed the world from my mental perspective
But how I saw myself made friends hard to find
I struggled to make friends because of how I perceived myself
I wasn't sure you liked me although I think you tried
Although you tried, I wasn't sure if you actually liked me
I wanted you to like me, to fill the hole inside
I wanted others to like me to fill an emotional void within me
Accepting who I am did not come from being the best
I realized accepting myself doesn't come from being perfect
Or earning popularity by passing all your tests
I realized that popularity and success isn't everything
The thing that helped me most
The one thing that helped me the most
Was when the realization came
Was when I finally realized
That there is a God who loves me
That there is a higher power who loves me
Who knows me by my name
Who knows me on a personal level
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.