Shortly thereafter they were signed by Go-Kart Records and re-recorded the songs from "A Lesson" and re-released their album with the addition of some new tracks.
At the Fest VII in Gainesville, FL they were approached by Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and subsequently signed to Red Scare Industries.
They released their Red Scare debut EP "Hold On, Dodge" in 2009.
In April 2010, Chamberlain Waits was released, through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."
They released their third full length album, On The Impossible Past, on February 21, 2012 via Epitaph Records.
The band currently lives in South Philadelphia, PA.
Band Members:
Tom May
Joe Godino
Greg Barnett
Eric Keen
House On Fire
The Menzingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Lost myself in the kitchen
There's an old friend falling down the stairs
He said there's cops in the alley way
Let it burn up
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Found myself in the basement
There's smoke, there's ash over everything
This girl I know, yeah, she's trying to get high
She's telling me, she's telling me, "Let it burn out"
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
The house is on fire
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
The house is on fire
There's beer left, so I think I'll stay
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
The Menzingers's song "House on Fire" is an introspective exploration of the fear of mortality and the desire to live life to the fullest. The song questions whether our hearts were truly alive to begin with, and whether we are truly living or simply waiting for our lives to start. The lyrics suggest that we may be afraid to live fully, to take risks and pursue our desires, and that this fear can hold us back from truly experiencing life.
The verses of the song alternate between two different scenes – one in the kitchen and one in the basement. In the kitchen, the singer encounters an old friend who has fallen down the stairs and warns of trouble outside. The friend suggests that it is too late to save themselves and that they should let it all burn. In the basement, the singer encounters a girl who is trying to get high and who also suggests that they should let it all burn. The repeated refrain of "waiting for your life to start then you die" highlights the sense of urgency in these moments and the need to seize the opportunity to truly live.
The chorus is a defiant declaration of rebellion against the fear of mortality. The repetition of "We set the house on fire and we ain't going nowhere" suggests a willingness to take risks and embrace life, even if it means risking everything. The final line, "there's beer left, so I think I'll stay," suggests a moment of comfort and acceptance in the face of inevitable mortality.
Overall, "House on Fire" is a powerful meditation on the fear and uncertainty of life, and the need to embrace it fully despite its inevitable end.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Are you really living your life if you're always waiting for something to happen?
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Did you even have the passion and drive to live your life to the fullest?
Lost myself in the kitchen
Distracting oneself in the mundane tasks of everyday life
There's an old friend falling down the stairs
Watching someone you know destroy themselves and being powerless to stop it
He said there's cops in the alley way
The realization that the situation has become too dangerous to turn back from
It's too late for saving us
Acknowledging that there is no turning back and the consequences of one's actions are upon them
Let it burn up
Embracing the destruction and chaos rather than trying to put out the fire
Found myself in the basement
Retreating to a subterranean level to escape the raging inferno above
There's smoke, there's ash over everything
The realization that even in one's retreat, the situation has affected and tainted everything
This girl I know, yeah, she's trying to get high
Finding solace in vices and temporary pleasures to escape reality
She's telling me, she's telling me, "Let it burn out"
Being convinced that the only way to escape the situation is to let it run its course and burn itself out
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
The realization that the situation has spiraled out of control and the consequences may be dire
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Reflecting on whether one has truly lived their life to the fullest and accomplished what they wanted to
The house is on fire
The blunt statement of the dire situation at hand
There's beer left, so I think I'll stay
Choosing to numb oneself with temporary pleasures and ignore the reality of the situation
We set the house on fire
Taking responsibility for one's actions and acknowledging that the situation is a result of their own doing
And we ain't going nowhere
Choosing to stay and face the consequences of one's actions without escape or denial
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Greg Barnett, Tom May, Eric Keen, Joe Godino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
oryan katzav
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Lost myself in the kitchen
There's an old friend falling down the stairs
They say there's cops in the alley way
It's too late for saving us
Let it burn down
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Found myself in the basement
There's smoke, there's ash over everything
This girl I know, yeah, she's trying to get high
She's telling me, she's telling me, "Let it burn out"
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous
The house is on fire
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous
The house is on fire
But there's beer left I think I'll stay
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
ABotYup
This band needs more recognition
jason macierowski
Their shows already sell out too quick around me, otherwise I would agree.
oncemoretotheshore
These guys make me so incredibly happy along with MxPx. I moved away from punk music for a long time, and it's really refreshing to come back in my early 30's and find out that the bands I listened to as a teenager have grown up right along with me and are still making music that hits home.
Vladmir Sauce
What a powerful song
B. Steel
My favorite Song from the new album!
oryan katzav
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Lost myself in the kitchen
There's an old friend falling down the stairs
They say there's cops in the alley way
It's too late for saving us
Let it burn down
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Found myself in the basement
There's smoke, there's ash over everything
This girl I know, yeah, she's trying to get high
She's telling me, she's telling me, "Let it burn out"
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous
The house is on fire
Yeah, does it make you nervous?
Have you fulfilled your purpose?
Yeah, does it make you nervous
The house is on fire
But there's beer left I think I'll stay
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
Waiting for your life to start then you die
Was your heart beating in the first place?
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
We set the house on fire
And we ain't going nowhere
Stephen Sly
Showed my HS students this, they dig it as much as I do!
Dangerous Dan
I'm a massive Alkaline Trio fan, fancied seeing who else was on the same record label, where have this band been all my life?
Balão Musical
First time I heard this was at their show in Groezrock last year and I instantly started crying and couldn't stop. <3
grungeboy93
the guitar has such a celtic feel to it, reminds me of Big Country