in a 2012 interview, The Used bassist Jeph Howard said that "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" is probably his favorite song by the band.
A few years ago, while preparing to send the album art for b-side collection Shallow Believer to his record label, Bert McCracken scrawled the word “Artwork” across its cover in silver ink. The sentiment, which, to Bert and his bandmates in The Used, resonated with both extreme simplicity and indescribable complexity, said everything without really having to say anything. Now, the Utah band has titled their fourth full-length album with that very word: Artwork.
The group started writing the album after finishing the Taste of Chaos International tour in 2007, slowly collecting and jamming out ideas with no concrete intention beyond making the songs as dirty as possible. The Used, whose last album, 2007’s Lies For the Liars, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200, spent the first half of 2008 in LA exploring and refining these ideas, eventually piecing tangential riffs and melodies into a scattering of songs that contained a surprisingly cohesive sensibility. The band members dubbed the music they were writing “gross pop,” their own new genre of hook-laden numbers that pushed the boundaries of the grotesque. Tracking for the album began in June of 2008 with producer Matt Squire and eventually concluded in February of 2009, primarily at LA studios The Lair and NRG. Between a few sporadic tours, the band spent about three months total recording with Squire where they allowed their creativity to dictate when they worked on something.
“I wouldn’t say it was hard to make any of the record but it definitely was time consuming,” Bert says. “We worked on our time table. The band allowed me to create when I was able to create, which was a good thing. I didn’t feel pressure to force things. There was no specific time I had to do anything. If we were in the studio and I’d been working on lyrics for five hours and nothing came out, we would just try again tomorrow.”
In the studio Squire approached the recording process with a laid-back attitude the band both appreciated and needed. The decision to work with a new producer after establishing a longtime relationship with producer John Feldman, who was at the helm of the band’s past three albums (Lies For the Liars, as well as 2004’s In Love and Death and 2002’s The Used, both of which were certified gold), was derived from a simple desire for change. The Used wanted to see what would happen if they entered the studio with someone different, a process guitarist Quinn Allman compares to “breaking up with your girlfriend not because you don’t love her but because you need to try something new.”
“It wasn’t that we absolutely didn’t want to work with Feldman or that we absolutely wanted to work with Squire,” Bert explains. “It was more that the band needed a change. We wanted to try something different and have it sound a lot different. It took a few weeks for us to get a vibe for each, but once we got used to it, it was really easy. Squire brought in this willingness to try anything and an open mind and a good attitude. I feel like he was really in touch with what the band wanted to do and he was really supportive of our ideas.”
The result is a raw collection of twelve songs that not so delicately teeter the line between being aggressively discordant and charmingly hooky. The first single “Blood On My Hands,” which Quinn describes as the song that “sums up everything about The Used,” is confined chaos, brutally thrashing one moment and proffering a pop-driven, sing-along chorus the next. “Empty With You,” a track Bert says is “about feeling empty and lonely but as long as you have someone who can feel lonely with you then everything’s okay,” surges with passion and gripping honesty, while “Cut Yourself” balances the album’s predilection for propulsive rage with its quieter, piano-driven exploration of what it means to have someone to lean on.
“This record is more sincere,” Quinn says. “It’s got a sound more reminiscent of the first record. Lyrically, it completely engulfs you and makes you feel safe but it’s all about feeling alone and empty and knowing there’s always a light. If you’re frustrated that much it means you care that much. The lyrics carry you through the record and you’re right with Bert and where he’s at. The music isn’t showing off. It’s just being what it is. I think the fans will appreciate all that.”
“This record is about coming together,” Bert adds. “Whether it’s through positivity or negativity, it’s about coming together through anything.”
Artwork encapsulates the past eight years of a band that’s played tours and festivals like Warped Tour, Ozzfest, Projek Revolution, Give It a Name, Reading and Leeds and SxSW, and sold over two million albums in the States alone, while simultaneously urging them forward. It’s a collaborative effort that drew The Used closer together during its creation. It’s about love and mortality and the basic human emotions we all experience every day. It’s biting and gritty, and it’s melodic and catchy. It’s a new chapter for a band that’s constantly sought to redefine the bounds of pop music—and have always successfully done so. It’s a reminder, as Bert says, “we’re all artists creating our own art just by living it.”
“I Come Alive” is the first single from The Used's fifth album, Vulnerable. It is the first release on the band's own label, Anger Music Group, an imprint of Hopeless Records. The song was released on January 17, 2012. (I Come Alive Songfacts).
evolution
The Used Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For changing my mind.
Call me a criminal,
If thinking's a crime.
Call me an animal,
It's hard to define.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same
Go back to the middle,
Try filling the void.
Watch thoughts into action
Its hard to destroy.
Call me an animal,
And I wont deny.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
I've come so far.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
What will you do to me,
When I refuse to go?
Who's gonna fight all your wars,
When the people won't show?
What will you do to us,
When we won't do what you say?
What will you do to us,
When we won't do what you say?
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Call me a traitor,
For changing my mind.
Call me a criminal,
If thinking's a crime.
Call me an animal,
It's hard to define.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
The lyrics to "Evolution" by The Used reflect a sense of rebellion against societal norms and the pressure to conform. The song begins by addressing those who may criticize the singer for changing their mind or thinking differently, but the singer defies these criticisms by affirming their identity as an individual. The repeated use of "Call me" demonstrates that the singer has confidence in their own beliefs and decisions, regardless of what others may think.
As the song progresses, the lyrics highlight that everything is constantly changing and evolving, and it's important to embrace these changes rather than resist them. However, the chorus also voices a concern about losing one's individuality in a world where everyone is trying to be like each other. The bridge mentions the possible consequences of this pressure to conform, such as being forced to fight in wars or facing punishment for not following orders.
Overall, "Evolution" encourages individuality and standing up against societal pressures while also acknowledging the possibility of challenging consequences. The powerful lyrics, coupled with the raw energy of The Used's music, make for a poignant and thought-provoking song.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a traitor,
I am willing to be called a traitor for changing my mind.
For changing my mind.
I am open to changing my beliefs and opinions.
Call me a criminal,
Label me a criminal if you must, for simply exercising my right to think and reason.
If thinking's a crime.
I believe that critical thinking and individual thought should not be considered criminal.
Call me an animal,
Do not typecast me as an animal, as my diverse thoughts and behaviors are limitless and cannot be bound by any singular definition.
It's hard to define.
It is difficult for me to be defined by any particular category, stereotype or label.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
I won't adhere to the limitations or expectations of others, but rather break free of them in order to express myself.
I've come so far.
I have progressed significantly in my personal development and growth.
Everything changes.
Life is constantly evolving and things are never stagnant.
With the way that I feel,
My feelings and emotions are subject to change and often fluctuate.
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
It is impossible for me to remain the same, as personal transformation is a natural part of life.
Time rearranges.
The passage of time changes everything, including ourselves and the world around us.
The more we refuse,
The more we resist change or cling to rigid beliefs, the more we block our own growth and potential.
Is the more time we stand in the way.
Refusing to change only prolongs or obstructs our own progress and the progress of those around us.
And how am I to be myself?
How can I truly express myself and be authentic if I feel pressure to conform to the expectations of others?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
People are too often trying to conform to societal norms and to be like others, rather than embracing their uniqueness and individuality.
Go back to the middle,
I reject the idea of playing it safe and staying in the middle, as it can hinder true growth and change.
Try filling the void.
I seek to fill any emptiness or void in my life with meaning, purpose and originality.
Watch thoughts into action,
I aim to turn my thoughts and ideas into realities and tangible creations.
Its hard to destroy.
My drive and passion are unbreakable and will not be deterred by obstacles or opposition.
What will you do to me,
What actions will you take against me when I refuse to conform and remain true to myself?
When I refuse to go?
When I refuse to conform or follow the crowd, and instead chart my own path.
Who's gonna fight all your wars,
If people do not blindly follow authority and preconceived notions, who will serve as soldiers or blindly fight the wars of others?
When the people won't show?
When individuals resist being told what to do and are not easily swayed by others, there may be no one left for authority figures to turn to for control or obedience.
What will you do to us,
What measures will be taken against those who resist the status quo or refuse to conform to what is expected of them?
When we won't do what you say?
When individuals refuse to blindly follow authority and think for themselves, there may be a significant challenge to the established power dynamic.
Lyrics © THE BEST MUSIC COMPANY, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DANIEL WHITESIDES, JEPH HOWARD, JOHN FELDMANN, QUINN ALLMAN, ROBERT MCCRACKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cattails573
Call me a traitor,
For changing my mind.
Call me a criminal,
If thinking's a crime.
Call me an animal,
It's hard to define.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
I've come so far.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same
Go back to the middle,
Try filling the void.
Watch thoughts into action
Its hard to destroy.
Call me an animal,
And I wont deny.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
I've come so far.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
What will you do to me,
When I refuse to go?
Who's gonna fight all your wars,
When the people won't show?
What will you do to us,
When we won't do what you say?
What will you do to us,
When we won't do what you say?
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Time rearranges.
The more we refuse,
Is the more time we stand in the way.
And how am I to be myself?
Everyone's trying to be everyone else.
Everything changes.
With the way that I feel,
Seems impossible I'll stay the same.
Call me a traitor,
For changing my mind.
Call me a criminal,
If thinking's a crime.
Call me an animal,
It's hard to define.
I don't care what you say I came to defy.
@pulloutboi
I totally respect where this band is headed to right now, using art as a weapon to defy authority, making a better place for everyone to live in. I always knew bert was fit to be a role model, The Used is the doctrine of my life. Kinda fucked up but hella worth it. loved them ever since i knew what ink taste like...
@mikekrcma1352
It took me a few years to discover them but yes after listening to taste of ink blue and yellow I got hooked
@malignantmorningstar6289
I can't help but listen to this song and revel (and lament) at how the establishment has convinced all of these "free thinking" bands and artists to now be their mouthpiece or disappear into social exile and obscurity. Our current social and political climate has never been more polarized and conducted by special interest and the elites.
"What will you do to us when we won't do what you say"?
That's simple, you will be called a bigot, a fascist and a far right extremist and your relevance as an artist will no longer exist so get your 3rd booster, give your money to Ukraine, and tell anyone who doesn't get in line and kneel that they are a "threat to democracy". 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Great song though and great sentiment; my comment isn't an attack on Bert or The Used but more of a generalization on the industry and how entertainment and art is now an arm of the establishment.
@bigchungus5933
This album is about being selfless and human. Maybe we shouldn't focus on comparing them to OLD album. Maybe we should just FUCKING listen to what they are trying to say to other humans.
@xmissdiazx
this should be attached somewhere to every video of every song from this album
@bigchungus5933
Thanks for loving the truth, my dozen new friends :)
@littlesister1211
RichyxxRuthless right! can you imagine if each day you were constantly compared to who you were a decade ago?! strange that people expect these humans to be the exact same a decade later. I would actually be disappointed if they hadn't grown and evolved as a band and as humans. and from my perspective they kept their same unique sound. I love the used, then, now and forever!
@chocolatedoughnut_
Revisiting this song after almost 8 years of not hearing it. Crazy how time flies but I wanna say that one thing hasn't changed and that's my appreciation for this band. One love <3
@cxhatchboy520
One of the most beautifully artistic songs I've heard. Not only that, when the chorus came, I knew i found the one song that I've been waiting for that I could relate to.
@rhaibi12
Favorite song on the album I think.