When a crowd is singing along with the last chorus after hearing the song for the first time, and Twitter lights up with those same lyrics in the days following a performance, you know it's a song that connects. With poignant yet sing-along-able lyrics and undeniable rock noir musical undertones, Spirits, the first single from The Strumbellas’ forthcoming album, embodies the essence of what has been attracting fans from across North America to this Lindsay, Ontario-bred band.
That journey has been a whirlwind since the release of the band’s 2012 debut album My Father And The Hunter. The Strumbellas' sound — haunting lyrics fused with infectious, danceable melodies — won them both fans and critical recognition. A year later, they followed up with We Still Move On Dance Floors, which earned the band six awards, including a JUNO and Sirius XM
Indie Award, as well as a spot on the Polaris Music Prize Long List. And of course, there’s been touring. Lots of touring.
In early 2015, the Strumbellas, off the road and ready to go into the studio again, set up shop at downtown Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club to record the new album with LA Producer/Engineer, Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Haim, Weezer). During three recording sessions during the first half of 2015, Schiffman and the band harnessed a vivid sound that was itchin’ to get out of them. Bigger. Bolder. Beckoning.
The Fire
The Strumbellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never hear you calling my name
Cause when you died, well I died along with you
And I ain't been the same
Some people called in the fire
Some people knew he was a dying man
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Mother hang your head, I'm going out late
You'll never know I had a son who was just like you
You'll never meet my beautiful wife
Cause when you died, I died along with you
And I ain't been the same
Some people called in the fire
Some people knew he was a dying man
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Some people called in the fire
Some people knew he was a dying man
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Mother hang your head, I'm going out late
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Mother hang your head, I'm going out late
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Mother hang your head, I'm going out late
The Strumbellas' song "The Fire" is a heart-wrenching ballad about grief and loss. The lyrics describe the singer's deep emotional pain and sense of isolation following the death of a loved one. They express regret over things that were left unsaid and unknown, such as whether the deceased had truly loved who the singer had become, and whether they had missed out on meeting the singer's family.
The repeated refrain "Some people called in the fire, some people knew he was a dying man" adds a haunting tone to the song, asking the listener to reflect on the different ways people cope with and come to terms with death. The imagery of fire can be interpreted as both destructive and cleansing, perhaps conveying a sense of transformation or rebirth through grief.
The final lines of the song, "So mother hang your head, I'm going out late" create a sense of finality and departure. The singer seems to be saying goodbye, possibly to their own life, in a way that is both sad and empowering.
Overall, "The Fire" is a powerful song that conveys raw emotions and vulnerability in a way that is both relatable and deeply moving.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never know if you loved who I became
I will never get to find out if you loved me for the person I became.
I'll never hear you calling my name
I will never hear you call out my name.
Cause when you died, well I died along with you
Your death had a profound effect on me and it felt like a part of me had died with you.
And I ain't been the same
Since you passed, my life has never been the same and I have been struggling to cope.
Some people called in the fire
Some people may have called for help when the fire broke out.
Some people knew he was a dying man
Some people knew that the person affected by the fire may not survive.
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
Addressing his mother, the singer shares that he is going out late and wants her to feel a sense of shame about his actions.
You'll never know I had a son who was just like you
You will never know that I had a son who was just like you.
You'll never meet my beautiful wife
You will never get to meet my beautiful wife.
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
The artist repeats his statement to convey his sense of defiance and rebellion against his mother's expectations.
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
The repetition of this line implies that the singer feels that he is not getting enough attention from his mother.
So mother hang your head, I'm going out late
The artist's repeated statement is a response to his own feelings of guilt and shame about his actions.
Contributed by Ethan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jon Block
on We Don't Know
I just saw Strumbellas in concert tonight in Denver. They were so great!! And this song "We Don't Know" moved me to tears. Made me reflect on my life and the uncertainties I'm facing. Being in the energy of this song and really getting the lyrics for the first time filled me with peace and hope.
Victoria Miller
on Spirits
Where did you find their bio?
Angela J Szucs-PagliariniVictoria Miller
on Spirits
if you read their bio, Simon Ward their frontman has an unhealthy fear of dying . he says most of the songs are based on that.
Dalton Bacon James
on Spirits
This sounds like it's about PTSD. Just listen to the lyrics and think about it