Although the band received much commercial attention during the ska wave, they decided to continue down the independent road with STOMP Records, which had become and remains a major player in the international independent music scene. Their fourth release, “No Self Control” (2001) was produced by Steven Drake (Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, The Odds etc.) and was also well received by national college radio and spawned hit videos such as the animated “Blind” and the tongue in cheek “Wish I Were American”.
“Mighty”, the Planet Smashers’ fifth full length, was produced/engineered by Rod Shearer (Bran Van 3000, Bionic, Corey Hart) and co-produced by The Planet Smashers (not to mention mixed on the same board as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”!). Having moved past the dark and critical themes of “No Self Control”, “Mighty” became the band’s most success record internationally after being licensed by labels in Japan, Europe, Russia, Brazil and Australia.
The Planet Smashers released their first and only DVD “10” in 2004, commemorating the last 10 years of the band. Countless tours all over the world, 12 videos, 5 full length releases and a ton of good times. The Planet Smashers celebrated their 10th by joining the Vans Warped 2004 which also entered it’s 10th year. In 2005, the Smashers released “Unstoppable” their sixth and most recent commercial offering. The album was licensed in Japan by Sky/Sony, in the UK by Household Name Records/Plastic Head, in Europe by Leechredda/Cargo and in Russia by AudioFind. In 2006 the band played over 60 shows in Europe including Moscow, London, Vienna, Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Dublin and many more.
In terms of touring, not many indie Canadian bands come close. They have headlined countless tours in North America, 8 European tours, been included on 5 Vans Warped Tour as well as a Japanese tour in 2002. They have toured with such acts as AFI, the Toasters, Sick of it All, Billy Talent, Rancid, Mustard Plug, Simple Plan, Samiam, The Aquabats, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and countless others.
Shame
The Planet Smashers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stares like they're to blame
It seems as though you're trying to control
But you can't trick me this way
Shame, hey, I won't play your game,
Hey, they're driving me away,
Hey, I won't fall for your actions of deceit,
Driven by your misery and shame
Acting like you're unaware but it's hard not to miss
Off hand comments fill my head with things I can't explain,
Silent sneers and crocodile tears, rolling down the drain
Shame, hey, I won't play your game,
Hey, they're driving me away,
Hey, I won't fall for your actions of deceit,
Driven by your misery and shame
Yeah I try, not to let it shows, as this felling in my grows
Subtil words twist the knife with the things that they don't say,
Don't want to feel this way I won't feel this way
I won't feel your shame
The Planet Smashers’ “Shame” is a song about deception, control, and manipulation. The lyrics describe how the singer is being mistreated and manipulated by someone who appears to be kind and benevolent on the surface, but is actually driven by personal misery and shame. The singer sees through the façade and refuses to succumb to the manipulator’s tactics, declaring that they won’t play their game or feel their shame.
The opening lyrics “All that lies and turned up eyes, stares like they're to blame” paint a picture of a manipulator who is trying to control and blame others for their own problems. The singer recognizes this behavior and asserts that they will not be tricked by it. The lyrics also suggest that the manipulator is using fake kindness and gestures to get what they want.
The chorus is a defiant declaration that the singer will not fall for the manipulator’s actions of deceit and will not be driven away by their shame. The lyrics imply that the manipulator’s shame is driving their behavior, and that their actions are a way of deflecting attention away from their own problems.
Overall, “Shame” is a powerful song that exposes the negative effects of manipulative behavior and encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and not be swayed by the actions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
All that lies and turned up eyes
People lying and acting guilty
Stares like they're to blame
Looks that suggest culpability
It seems as though you're trying to control
Behavior that aims to manipulate
But you can't trick me this way
I am not falling for it
Shame, hey, I won't play your game
I refuse to participate in your manipulation
Hey, they're driving me away
Your behavior is pushing me away from you
Hey, I won't fall for your actions of deceit
I won't be fooled by your dishonesty
Driven by your misery and shame
Your bad behavior and guilt are motivating you
Gestures of kindness manipulate for your benefits
Your kindness is not genuine, but rather self-serving
Acting like you're unaware but it's hard not to miss
You pretend not to know, but it's obvious
Off hand comments fill my head with things I can't explain
Your casual remarks confuse me
Silent sneers and crocodile tears, rolling down the drain
Your fake emotions are meaningless to me
Yeah I try, not to let it shows, as this felling in my grows
I hide my emotions as they intensify
Subtil words twist the knife with the things that they don't say
Your implicit words hurt me more than your explicit ones
Don't want to feel this way I won't feel this way
I refuse to be affected by your shame
I won't feel your shame
I won't take on your guilt
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind