In May 2006 the long awaited The Tough Alliance - New Waves EP was released on their own label Sincerely Yours. In October 2006 followed their second full length album, 'Escaping Your Ambitions'.
In May 2007, the much anticipated third album 'A New Chance' was released on Sincerely Yours, further developing their charismatic sound of 'The New School' and 'New Waves'; a fusion with their brief exploration of ambient electronica found on Escaping Your Ambitions.
In 2010, Eric Berglund made it clear that The Tough Alliance since 2009 was no more.
babylon
The Tough Alliance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can’t adjust, Can’t break away
My soul was sold before I even touched down
I tracked down some pieces, the rest is nowhere to be found
I might waste my time, I might skate on thin ice
The Tough Alliance's song Babylon is a poignant and introspective reflection on the experience of growing up and living within a society that makes it difficult to break free from the narrative of one's upbringing. The first line of the song, "Born and Raised in Babylon," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, suggesting that the singer feels trapped within their world and unable to fully escape its limitations. This feeling is further reinforced in the second line, "Can’t adjust, Can’t break away," implying that even if the singer wanted to break free from the constraints of their environment, they feel unable to do so.
The third line, "My soul was sold before I even touched down," is a particularly interesting use of language. The phrase "soul sold" has biblical connotations and suggests that the singer's fate was predetermined before they even had a chance to begin their life. This reinforces the feeling of powerlessness that the singer is experiencing. The fourth line, "I tracked down some pieces, the rest is nowhere to be found," further implies that the singer is attempting to piece together a sense of self and identity, but feels unable to find all the answers they're searching for.
The fifth and sixth lines of the song, "I might waste my time, I might skate on thin ice / But all I can think of is to kill this compromise," are both motivational and cautionary. The singer acknowledges that they may make mistakes and take risks in the process of trying to break free from their limitations, but the desire to overcome these limitations is strong enough to compel them to take action. The phrase "kill this compromise" implies that the singer is seeking a radical change in their life, and is willing to make sacrifices to achieve it.
Line by Line Meaning
Born and Raised in Babylon
I come from a place filled with corruption and moral decay, both of which have shaped who I am today.
Can’t adjust, Can’t break away
I feel trapped and unable to escape the negative influences of my surroundings.
My soul was sold before I even touched down
I was born into a system that already had control over me, and I never had a chance to truly be free.
I tracked down some pieces, the rest is nowhere to be found
I have searched for fragments of meaning and purpose in this life, but there is still so much that eludes me.
I might waste my time, I might skate on thin ice
I am aware that some of my choices and actions may be risky or unwise, but I am willing to take the chance to find something better.
But all I can think of is to kill this compromise
Despite my struggles and doubts, my greatest desire is to break free from the constraints of my environment and live life on my own terms.
Contributed by Nathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.