The band's first release was a single, "The Lords of Summer" issued by Sydney label Phantom Records in 1988. Following this, The Mark of Cain's drummer situation became reasonably stable for some time with the addition of Campbell Robinson and the band issued two albums on Adelaide label Dominator Records, Battlesick in 1989 and The Unclaimed Prize in 1991. The band's music came to the attention of Steve Albini, who produced their next release, the 1993 EP "Incoming". This was the recording debut for Robinson's replacement Aaron Hewson, who had joined the band shortly after the release of The Unclaimed Prize.
Albini's involvement with The Mark of Cain in turn led to Henry Rollins producing the band's breakthrough album, 1995's Ill at Ease. The first release on Sydney alternative label rooArt, Ill at Ease was the also the first to win wide radio support, with Triple J giving the singles "First Time" and "LMA" solid airplay. A national tour followed, after which Hewitt left and Campbell Robinson returned. The next year, The Mark of Cain released Rock And Roll, a collection of remixes by artists such as Paul Mac and B(if)tek. The band also contributed some songs to the soundtrack of the Australian film Idiot Box including a cover of "Degenerate Boy" by early Australian punk band X. This was a minor hit. Robinson was replaced by Stuart Baguley in late 1998 but Stanier was mooted as a member from mid-1999. He was taken on to provide the drumming on the next album This is This which was produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four, one of The Mark of Cain's early influences. This is This was released by BMG in 2001 with the announcement that Stainer was now the band's permanent drummer.
According to their official website, www.tmoc.com.au, The Mark of Cain will be entering the studio with John Stanier to record a new album in February 2008.
The Contender
The Mark Of Cain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could have been almost anything
I could have been a contender
I could have been almost anything
If not for you, if not for you
If not for you, if not for you
If not for you
Contender
And all the falls I turned them down
Everything turned on a hell of a pen
And like a shell that's still intact
It's inner strength no longer there
A child's toy is thrown away
Too broken to repair
And now and then I wonder why
That when luck came it past be by
As if some force tied me down
I'd marked the pegs and staked the ground
I'll come back strong I promise you
Though some of me has changed
My souls intact the rest of me
It's more than rearranged
It's true
It's true
It's true
Contender
Contender
And all the falls I turned them down
And for what?
I could have been a contender
I could have been almost anything
I could have been a contender
I could have been almost anything
It's not like we're equal
It's not like we're equal
It's not like we're equal
It's not like we're equal
It's not for you
Contender
Contender
And all the lies I turned them down
And all the lies I turned them down
The Mark Of Cain's song “The Contender” is a lament of unfulfilled potential. The first two lines of the song, “I could have been a contender, I could have been almost anything” makes it clear that the singer once had the capacity to be anything they wanted to be, but something held them back. The “contender” in this instance is a metaphor for someone who once had the potential to be great but who never managed to live up to that potential.
The next set of lines appear to address a specific person, someone whom the singer blames for holding them back: “If not for you, if not for you”. This person’s influence on the singer’s life appears to have been all-encompassing, with the singer feeling as though they missed out on a great many opportunities because of their influence.
The subject of the song admits that they turned down success on several occasions, yet there is a sense of regret for being unable to achieve their full potential, “And all the falls I turned down…for what?”, as if events were somewhat beyond their control.
Overall, the song is a poignant rumination on missed opportunities and the inner strength that we all once had but that may have since faded away.
Line by Line Meaning
I could have been a contender
I had the potential to be successful and achieve anything I wanted
I could have been almost anything
There were many paths I could have taken in life and succeeded in
If not for you, if not for you
If it wasn't for your influence or interference in my life
Contender
The successful person I could have been
And all the falls I turned them down
I've avoided the pitfalls and mistakes that could have impeded my success
Everything turned on a hell of a pen
The power of my writing has been instrumental in my success
And like a shell that's still intact
I may appear unbroken on the outside, but inside I lack the strength to continue
It's inner strength no longer there
I've lost my inner resolve and determination to succeed
A child's toy is thrown away
I've been discarded and deemed useless, like a forgotten toy from childhood
Too broken to repair
My damage is irreparable and I can't be fixed
And now and then I wonder why
Occasionally I reflect on my lack of success and question why it happened
That when luck came it past be by
When opportunities for success presented themselves, they passed me by
As if some force tied me down
I feel constrained or held back by some external force preventing me from achieving success
I'd marked the pegs and staked the ground
I was ready and prepared for success, but something prevented me from achieving it
I'll come back strong I promise you
I vow to return to the path of success and come back stronger than before
Though some of me has changed
I've undergone some personal transformation or changes that may impact my future success
My souls intact the rest of me
Despite external changes, my core beliefs and values remain the same
It's more than rearranged
I've undergone significant personal changes that extend beyond just rearranging parts of my life
It's true
What I'm saying is genuine and authentic
Contender
The idea of being successful and achieving my dreams
It's not like we're equal
There are inherent differences between people that make success more accessible for some than others
And all the lies I turned them down
I refused to accept false promises or let deceit impede my path to success
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind