The Living End got their first big break in 1995 when, after sending a t-shirt and a demo tape to Billie Joe Armstrong, they landed a support slot in Green Day's upcoming Australian tour. After the tour, the group went into the studio to record their debut EP Hellbound which received moderate support from community radio stations.
In November 1995, the band went back into the studio to record their second EP (It's for Your Own Good which they released several months later. This recording yielded their first major radio airplay with the song From Here On In, which was placed on high rotation on the youth radio network Triple J. Shortly after the release of the second EP, drummer Joe Piripitzi left the band and was replaced with Travis Dempsey who was soon playing with the band at major festivals such as Pushover and the Falls Festival. After a year touring Australia, The Living End again headed into the studio to record something new to sell at their now very popular shows. The result was the Second Solution / Prisoner of Society double single.
Prisoner of Society quickly became a national hit and the band signed on to Modular Recordings for the release of their debut self titled album, The Living End. The album was an instant hit with Australian audiences and resulted in six Australian singles (counting the "Second Solution" release as two because both songs received major airplay). The Living End became the second-highest-selling debut rock album in Australian music history, now five times platinum.
The Roll On album in 2000 was a more creative work, but did not manage to achieve the status of their earlier album. Cheney later stated that he was trying to prove to critics that The Living End were not a band simply defined by their hit Prisoner of Society, and the album showed this by displaying other influences, as well as their traditional fast-paced rockabilly music. The album even garnered comparison, by a few critics, to seminal punk band The Clash's creative breakthrough, London Calling.
The band hit a quiet period after that during which Chris Cheney had a tragic car accident on the Great Ocean Road, rendering him unable to play for a significant period of time. He had been on the road to the house of a member of fellow Australian band Bodyjar.
In 2003, after Chris's recovery and with new drummer Andy Strachan, the band made a comeback, releasing One Said to the Other, Who's Gonna Save Us? and getting air play once again. This was followed by heavy touring (including Big Day Out) and a release of Modern ARTillery.
In late 2004, the band has released a singles collection From Here on In: The Singles 1997-2004 as well as a DVD, which included all video clips and a "supergig", collections of the band's most famous songs performed in Australia, Japan and the USA. The DVD also features the band's history- documented in interviews and home footage.
Recently, Chris performed at the 2004 ARIA awards as part of the supergroup The Wrights, featuring members of many other Australian rock bands.
Chris Cheney and Scott Owen have won the Best Guitarist and Best Bassist awards for 2004 and 2005, in the Jack Awards.
The band performs regularly in Melbourne, one performance recently was for the Channel V Music Bus at Federation Square Melbourne, Australia (15th of December 2005) which saw a capacity crowd of between 4,500 and 5,000 people attend. The event saw many under 18's get the chance to see their idols for free, and for a lucky few, the chance to sing with Chris Cheney, unplanned of course.
The Living End's fourth album, titled State of Emergency, was released on February 4 2006 and was recorded in Byron Bay after they played in the Splendour in the Grass festival. They had finished the recording and the artwork for State of Emergency in mid December 2005. The single "What's on Your Radio was released on November 20, 2005, and debuted at #9 on the ARIA singles chart. The second single, "Wake Up" was released on February 19 and debuted at #5 on the ARIA singles chart. The group is currently signed to Adeline Records, owned and run by Billie Joe and Adrianne Armstrong.
In 2008 The Living End released their fifth studio album titled as White Noise, showing more hard rock influenced sound of The Living End. First single from the album was a double A-side single White Noise/How Do We Know which was released physically and digitally 5 July 2008. The second single Moment in the Sun was released 25 October 2008. The third single, Raise the Alarm, was released 22 December 2008. In 2009 The Living End started the Raise the Alarm Tour.
Crossfire
The Living End Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I took my baby to the 10 step platform
I tied a reef knot on twice with the blindfold
I whisper 20 steps and point direction
Crossfire doesn't burn you
It only hurts when it gets you in the heart
If you don't hate me, you'll learn to
I don't have a heart
I call my baby just to hang up on the phone
I take a rain check and I never ever check the rain
I leave the carton out for hours on summer days
I took a course on how to break the most hearts
Crossfire doesn't burn you
It only hurts when it gets you in the heart
If you don't hate me, you'll learn to
I thought I had it clear from the start
I don't have a heart
I found the answer but I never liked it
I took my baby to the 10 step platform
I tied a reef knot on twice with the blindfold
I whisper 20 steps and point direction
Crossfire doesn't burn you
It only hurts when it gets you in the heart
If you don't hate me, you'll learn to
I thought I had it clear from the start
I don't have a heart
I don't have a heart
I don't have a heart
The lyrics of The Living End's song "Crossfire" paint a picture of emotional conflict and detachment. The singer, who seems to have found an answer to a question or dilemma in their life, expresses a sense of ambivalence towards this revelation. They acknowledge the truth they've found but admit to not liking it, suggesting a reluctance to confront or accept certain realities. This internal struggle is further emphasized as they lead their partner to a metaphorical "10 step platform" while tying a knot with a blindfold, hinting at a deliberate and perhaps deceptive journey.
The repetition of the lines about crossfire not burning but hurting when it reaches the heart conveys the idea of emotional pain being more insidious and piercing than physical harm. The singer seems to be grappling with the aftermath of a hurtful situation, acknowledging that their actions may have caused pain to others despite their own lack of emotional connection or empathy. The repeated insistence that they don't have a heart could indicate a sense of emotional numbness or detachment, a defense mechanism against the vulnerability of caring too deeply.
The mention of making a call to their partner only to hang up and not engaging with them fully reflects a pattern of avoidance or reluctance to confront difficult emotions. This behavior is further exemplified by taking a rain check and neglecting to address the underlying issues. The reference to leaving a carton out in the summer could symbolize neglect or carelessness in relationships, as well as a lack of attention to the consequences of actions. The singer's admission of taking a course on breaking hearts hints at a sense of callousness or manipulation in their approach to romantic relationships.
In conclusion, "Crossfire" by The Living End delves into themes of emotional conflict, detachment, and the repercussions of one's actions in relationships. The repetition of certain lines underscores the internal struggles and emotional barriers faced by the singer, who grapples with a sense of ambivalence towards their own emotional capacity. The lyrics paint a complex portrait of a character who is at odds with themselves and others, navigating a landscape of hurt and disillusionment while grappling with the implications of their choices.
Line by Line Meaning
I found the answer but I never liked it
Although I discovered the truth, I was unhappy with what I found
I took my baby to the 10 step platform
I guided my loved one to a predetermined location
I tied a reef knot on twice with the blindfold
I securely fastened a knot with a blindfold on
I whisper 20 steps and point direction
I quietly instructed on the number of steps and indicated where to go
Crossfire doesn't burn you
Conflict doesn't physically harm you
It only hurts when it gets you in the heart
The pain is emotional when it affects your core feelings
If you don't hate me, you'll learn to
If you don't despise me now, you may come to do so in time
I thought I had it clear from the start
I believed I knew everything from the beginning
I don't have a heart
I lack the capacity for empathy or emotional connection
I call my baby just to hang up on the phone
I dial my significant other solely to abruptly end the call
I take a rain check and I never ever check the rain
I postpone plans without any intention of rescheduling
I leave the carton out for hours on summer days
I neglect to put away the container for long periods in warm weather
I took a course on how to break the most hearts
I learned techniques to emotionally hurt and deceive others
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KASEY CHAMBERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind