Three years of touring independently and sharing the stage with bands such as Switchfoot, Mutemath, Copeland, and Waking Ashland, has brought T.H.L. to an understanding both musically and mentally that music is not only the medium for enjoyment, but also the catalyst for change. The band strives to stay earth-conscious, and people-conscious in a world that continues to destroy itself.
Also you can check out their podcast relating stories of their lives on tour http://www.myspace.com/thisholidaylife
Friendly Fire
This Holiday Life Lyrics
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The whole town is gathered 'round
You and me, back to back
Shakey hands and bury facts
So we count ten to one
Think about what the other one's done
To deserve a bullet from a gun
That wasn't meant for the other
Everyone's under friendly fire
Hearts are bleeding with the same desire
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
A tiny spark becomes a torch
Every thought a cold war
In our blood and in our veins
Who we are is what remains
So we choose to do what's right
By the sun and the moon late at night
Call a truce in the middle of the fight
Listen to the voice of the other sided
Everyone's under friendly fire
Hearts are bleeding with the same desire
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
I know we know when one side wins
When the house goes republican
When we count up all our sins
Do they add up to the truth?
When the roof starts shaking now
And the frames come crashing down
And the glass laying on the ground
Comes up (?) to the (?)
Everyone's under friendly fire
Hearts are bleeding with the same desire
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
Everyone's under friendly fire
The message was lost it came across the wire
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
Everyone's under friendly fire
Hearts are bleeding with the same desire
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
The lyrics to This Holiday Life's song "Friendly Fire" describe a tense situation where the singer is with someone else, back-to-back, in the midst of a gathering where people must choose who to shoot with a gun. The song opens with the lines "The high sun is beating down / The whole town is gathered 'round," which suggest that the event may be taking place in an outdoor area. The singer and the other person have shaky hands and must count to ten before making their choice, with the aim of shooting the person who deserves the bullet. However, the stakes are high, and the tension is palpable because the gun was not meant for either person, so both are under "friendly fire."
The lyrics make it clear that this event is a metaphor for larger conflicts between people. The repeated chorus that "Everyone's under friendly fire / Hearts are bleeding with the same desire / Raise your flag and wave it in the air" suggests that all people are often caught in the crossfire of their own and others' actions, with hearts and desires bleeding out. The lines "A tiny spark becomes a torch / Every thought a cold war / In our blood and in our veins / Who we are is what remains" may suggest that even small conflicts can escalate into larger ones, becoming warlike in their intensity.
The lyrics also suggest a call to take action to resolve conflicts and listen to opposing viewpoints. The lines "Listen to the voice of the other side / So we choose to do what's right" suggest that in order to deescalate conflict, it is essential to listen to others and make ethical choices. Overall, the lyrics to "Friendly Fire" paint a vivid picture of the toll of conflict and the need for empathy and understanding to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
The high sun is beating down
The sun is shining down harshly on us.
The whole town is gathered 'round
The entire town is gathered around to witness or be involved in what's about to occur.
You and me, back to back
We're standing back-to-back, perhaps in preparation for a dangerous situation.
Shakey hands and bury facts
We're nervous and hesitant, perhaps hiding or ignoring certain truths.
So we count ten to one
We take a moment to prepare and calm ourselves before taking action.
Think about what the other one's done
We consider the other person's actions and how they might have led us to this point.
To deserve a bullet from a gun
We contemplate whether the other person deserves to be hurt or punished, perhaps physically.
That wasn't meant for the other
The bullet or harm wasn't intended for the other person, but circumstances led to them being caught in the crossfire.
Everyone's under friendly fire
We're all being hurt or damaged because of conflicts and disagreements within our own group or community.
Hearts are bleeding with the same desire
We all share a deep desire or passion, even if our actions are causing harm or conflict.
Raise your flag and wave it in the air
We should all show our allegiance, beliefs, or values, even if they differ from others within our community.
A tiny spark becomes a torch
A small incident or disagreement can quickly escalate into a much larger problem or conflict.
Every thought a cold war
Every disagreement or difference of opinion becomes a battle or struggle that's fought internally or behind the scenes.
In our blood and in our veins
These conflicts and passions are deeply ingrained in who we are as people and as a community.
Who we are is what remains
No matter what conflicts or disagreements we face, our core identity and values will still define us.
So we choose to do what's right
We make a conscious decision to act morally or ethically, even if it's difficult or unpopular.
By the sun and the moon late at night
We take guidance from both natural and symbolic sources, perhaps for wisdom or strength.
Call a truce in the middle of the fight
We stop fighting or arguing for a time in order to reach some sort of resolution or compromise.
Listen to the voice of the other sided
We try to understand and empathize with the perspectives and experiences of those who we disagree with or who oppose us.
I know we know when one side wins
We acknowledge that there will be a winner and loser in any conflict or disagreement.
When the house goes republican
We use a political metaphor to describe when one side takes control or gains an advantage in a conflict.
When we count up all our sins
We reflect on our past actions and mistakes that may have contributed to the current conflict or situation.
Do they add up to the truth?
We question whether our actions and beliefs are actually truthful or justifiable.
When the roof starts shaking now
We use a literal metaphor to describe when the situation becomes more dangerous or unstable.
And the frames come crashing down
We use another metaphor to describe when things completely fall apart or collapse.
And the glass laying on the ground
We use another image of destruction and chaos to describe what happens when the conflict reaches its peak.
Comes up (?) to the (?)
This line is unclear and open to interpretation, but it likely continues the themes of destruction, chaos, and conflict from the previous lines.
The message was lost it came across the wire
We may have had good intentions or a clear message, but it became muddled or confused in the chaos of the conflict.
Contributed by Andrew Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.