The Rods' third album, released 1983, was entitled In the Raw. In 1984 Canedy and Bordonaro played on Jack Starr's album Out of the Darkness with Rhett Forrester of Riot and Gary Driscoll of Rainbow. Then in 1984 the Rods released their fourth studio album Let Them Eat Metal and recorded the album The Rods Live. Their album Heavier Than Thou was originally released in 1986. An album was also released the same year, entitled Hollywood under the name Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro & Caudle (all of the band members). Rick Caudle handled lead vocals on that album, with Feinstein only playing guitar. Following poor sales of their final two albums the group split up.
Canedy is also a producer of heavy metal bands, and his credits include Anthrax's Armed and Dangerous and Spreading the Disease, Exciter's Violence & Force, Overkill's Feel the Fire, Possessed's Beyond the Gates and Roxx Gang's Love 'Em and Leave 'Em.
In 2008 the Rods announced that they were reuniting with the line-up of Feinstein, Bordonaro and Canedy, and in August 2008 they played at the Metal Rock Fest in Lillehammer, Norway. The album Vengeance was released in 2011 to positive reviews, and The Brotherhood of Metal was released in 2019.
Discography
Rock Hard (1980), reissued as The Rods (1981)
Full Throttle (EP) (1981)
Wild Dogs (1982)
In the Raw (1983)
The Rods Live (1983)
Let Them Eat Metal (1984)
Hollywood (1986) – released under the name Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro & Caudle
Heavier Than Thou (1986)
Vengeance (2011)
Brotherhood of Metal (2019)
Rattle The Cage (2024)
End of the Line
The Rods Lyrics
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I've seen lightning strike but I've never seen you cry
Your walk is confident, always cool
But you're scared inside like every other fool
What are you going to do when I finally walk away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What are you going to do when I finally turn away?
It's the end of the line
Someone calls you but you don't hear their name
The phone keeps ringing, so you've got to play the game
It's a mystery how you keep it all inside
A burning flame just waiting out its time
The moon is full, over thunder skies
Breaks through the clouds, reflecting in your eye
Nowhere to run, so you try and hide
You've lost at love and you're lost in time
What are you going to do when I finally walk away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What are you going to do when I finally turn away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
It's the end of the line
You took and chance on me, I took a chance on you
We took our chances but our dreams did not come true
So now you're cold from walking in the rain
You should have known things would never stay the same
What are you going to do when I finally walk away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What are you going to do when I finally turn away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What are you going to do when I finally walk away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What are you going to do when I finally turn away?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone, I'm gone?
It's the end of the line
End of the line
End of the line
End of the line
The Rods' song "End of the Line" is a reflection of a failing relationship. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed has reasons for their behavior, but they are still lying to themselves and possibly to others. This is evident in the line, "You've got reasons, but the answer's still a lie." The use of natural metaphors is also evident in the song, such as "I've seen lightning strike but I've never seen you cry." This suggests that the person is hiding their true feelings and is not being honest about their emotions.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of fear and uncertainty, with lines such as "But you're scared inside like every other fool" and "It's a mystery how you keep it all inside." The person being addressed is seemingly confident on the outside, but is struggling with their emotions on the inside. The chorus repeats the question of how the person will feel when the relationship ends, suggesting that their actions are ultimately leading to its demise.
Overall, "End of the Line" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human emotions and relationships, and how difficult it can be to communicate one's true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got reasons but the answer's still a lie
You have explanations for your actions, but they are not truthful or honest.
I've seen lightning strike but I've never seen you cry
You have a tough exterior and rarely show any vulnerability.
Your walk is confident, always cool
You project an image of assurance and nonchalance.
But you're scared inside like every other fool
Despite your outward façade, you have feelings of fear and uncertainty like everyone else.
Someone calls you but you don't hear their name
You are disinterested in others and have a hard time connecting with people.
The phone keeps ringing, so you've got to play the game
You feel an obligation to answer calls and appear sociable when you really don't want to engage.
It's a mystery how you keep it all inside
Your emotions and thoughts are often kept secret and unknown to those around you.
A burning flame just waiting out its time
Your passion and energy is dormant and subdued, waiting for the right time to ignite.
The moon is full, over thunder skies
The environment is foreboding and dramatic.
Breaks through the clouds, reflecting in your eye
You are affected by the energy of the environment and it shows in your expression.
Nowhere to run, so you try and hide
You feel trapped and cannot escape the situation.
You've lost at love and you're lost in time
You have experienced heartbreak and it has affected your perception and experience of time.
You took and chance on me, I took a chance on you
We both risked something in pursuing our relationship.
We took our chances but our dreams did not come true
Despite our efforts, our aspirations were not realized.
So now you're cold from walking in the rain
You have experienced discomfort and pain, and it has affected you physically.
You should have known things would never stay the same
Change is inevitable and should have been expected.
It's the end of the line
Our relationship has come to an end, there is no going back.
What are you going to do when I finally walk away?
How will you react when I am no longer in your life?
How are you going to feel when I'm gone?
What emotions will you experience when I leave?
It's the end of the line
Our relationship has come to an end, there is no going back.
Contributed by Sophie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.