The band released three albums, "Lack of Communication" (2001), "Pawn Shoppe Heart" (2004) and "Love, Hate and Then There's You" (2009) before disbanding in 2011.
Blame Game
The Von Bondies Lyrics
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Start a revolution
Built around me and you
Who are we to know the game
To freedom?
Dead to say, built between them
Kept aghast
Well who can blame him for trying?
Oh, oh
I have to keep him from lying
Oh, oh
Hey
The next thing I do
Is stop watching the clocks
Cos everyone knows that time is fleeting
Open your ears and hear the pleading
Echoes of voices, fighting for years
Ringing with hatred, growing each fear
Dead to say, don't turn my way...
Well who can blame him for trying?
Oh, oh
I have to keep him from lying
Oh, oh
Hey
Well who can blame him for trying?
Oh, oh
I have to keep him from lying
Oh, oh
Hey
Last thing I do
Is tear away these scars
Paranoid, bleeding as bright as the night
Dancing with pain, with pain, with pain
Well who can blame him for trying?
Oh, oh
I have to keep him from lying
Oh, oh
Hey
Well who can blame him for trying?
Oh, oh
I have to keep him from lying
Oh, oh
Hey, hey, hey
The Von Bondies' "Blame Game" is a song about standing up for what you believe in and fighting against oppressive forces, whether that be societal norms or specific people in positions of power. The lyrics reflect a sense of rebellion and taking control of one's own destiny, with the singer starting a revolution "built around me and you." However, there is also an acknowledgement that the game of freedom is complex and difficult to navigate, with voices of doubt and fear constantly ringing in the background. The singer struggles to keep those around them from lying or giving up in the face of adversity and must tear away their scars to overcome the pain of the battle ahead.
The chorus repeats the line "Well who can blame him for trying?" which can be interpreted as a challenge to those in power or as a sense of frustration that even with their rebellion, things may not necessarily change. Overall, the song is a call to action and a reminder that even small acts of rebellion can make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
First thing I do
Beginning a process.
Start a revolution
Starting a significant change.
Built around me and you
Centered around the singer and the listener.
Who are we to know the game
Questioning who has the knowledge or power.
To freedom?
Asking if the game leads to freedom.
Dead to say, built between them
Something built without permission causing a problem or division.
Kept aghast
In shock or amazed.
Well who can blame him for trying?
Questioning why someone is being blamed for trying.
Oh, oh
Expressing excitement or emotion.
I have to keep him from lying
Preventing someone from telling a falsehood.
The next thing I do
Continuing the process.
Is stop watching the clocks
Stop paying attention to time.
Cos everyone knows that time is fleeting
Stating that time passes quickly.
Open your ears and hear the pleading
Encouraging someone to listen and understand the requests of others.
Echoes of voices, fighting for years
Repeating sounds and conflicts over time.
Ringing with hatred, growing each fear
Experiencing hostility and increasing anxiety.
Dead to say, don't turn my way...
Referencing a decision made without agreement.
Last thing I do
Concluding the process.
Is tear away these scars
Removing physical or emotional wounds.
Paranoid, bleeding as bright as the night
Feeling anxious and in pain in a prominent way.
Dancing with pain, with pain, with pain
Experiencing pain and moving with discomfort.
Hey, hey, hey
Expression of excitement, end of the song.
Contributed by Josiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.