History and release
"Farewell to the Fairground" was recorded along with nine other tracks in Brussels' ICP Studios between May and September 2008. In a track-by-track review of their debut album for NME, the band stated that it was one of a number of songs which were written particularly quickly during the recording process, as they had only recorded demo versions of five tracks prior to signing to Fiction and entering the studio. The band described it as one of their more upbeat tracks. A remix of the song, titled "Farewell to the Fairground (Yuksek Remix)", previously appeared as a B-side to previous single "To Lose My Life". The single featured the band's cover version of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" as a B-side. The single charted at No. 84 in the week of its release. It then rose to No. 33 the week after, becoming the band's highest charting single.
In other media
The song was featured in the 2012 video game Forza Horizon, playing on the Horizon Rocks station.
Farewell to the Fairground
White Lies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're leaving this whole fairground behind
It's a dream that's going cold
The circus never dies
The act forever haunts these skies
I know we cannot stay
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
This place used to gleam
I see it in my hopeful dreams
Now I have to get away
We move towards the stars
And all that we touch becomes ours
Let's keep warm till it's day
Farewell to the fairground
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
We'll head south, just hold my hand now
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
And I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
And I'm always with you
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Farewell to the fairground
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
We'll head south, just hold my hand now
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
And I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
And I'm always with you
The song "Farewell to the Fairground" by White Lies is a poignant, nostalgic reflection on leaving behind a place that once held so much magic and excitement. The lyrics speak to the singer's realization that things have changed and that the place they once loved has lost its luster. The opening lines, "The light's still in our eyes, we're leaving this whole fairground behind, it's a dream that's going cold," set the tone for the song's bittersweet theme, which is echoed throughout the rest of the lyrics.
The singer acknowledges that the circus, or fairground, never truly dies and that memories of it will continue to haunt them. However, they also realize that it's time to say goodbye and move on to bigger and better things. The chorus, "Farewell to the fairground, these rides aren't working anymore, goodbye to this dead town, until the ice begins to thaw," encapsulates the singer's decision to leave and the hope that someday they may return.
The second half of the song focuses on the journey ahead and the importance of having someone to share it with. The lines, "We'll head south, just hold my hand now, I feel like I'm casting off my clothes, and I'm running through the snow towards the sunset, and I'm always with you," express the singer's excitement and determination to move forward, not alone but with their partner by their side.
Overall, "Farewell to the Fairground" is a powerful and emotional song about letting go of the past and embracing the unknown future. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics make it a standout track from White Lies' debut album, "To Lose My Life."
Line by Line Meaning
The light's still in our eyes
We still have hope for our future despite leaving this place behind.
We're leaving this whole fairground behind
We're moving on from our past, letting go of what once held us back.
It's a dream that's going cold
The exciting and hopeful anticipation we once had for this place has faded and become dull.
The circus never dies
The memories of our past experiences will always stay with us, like a never-ending show.
The act forever haunts these skies
Our memories of this place will always be with us, even as we move on.
I know we cannot stay
We have to move on and leave this place behind, even though it's hard.
Farewell to the fairground
Goodbye to our past experiences in this place.
These rides aren't working anymore
The thrills and excitement we once experienced here are gone.
Goodbye to this dead town
We're leaving this place that feels lifeless and unfulfilling for us.
Until the ice begins to thaw
We may come back one day if things change or get better.
This place used to gleam
This place was once full of life and energy for us.
I see it in my hopeful dreams
I still want to believe in the potential and hope this place once had.
Now I have to get away
I need to leave this place behind and move on with my life.
We move towards the stars
We're making progress towards our goals and aspirations.
And all that we touch becomes ours
We're determined to succeed and make the most of our lives.
Let's keep warm till it's day
Let's stick together and support each other through this difficult time of change and uncertainty.
We'll head south, just hold my hand now
We're embarking on a new journey together, holding onto each other for support.
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
I'm shedding my old self and embracing a new chapter in my life.
And I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
I'm embracing the challenges ahead of me and going towards a brighter future.
And I'm always with you
We'll always be there for each other, no matter where life takes us.
Keep on running
Keep moving forward and striving towards our goals.
Keep, keep on running
Don't give up, even when things get tough.
There's no place like home
Home is wherever we have each other and feel safe and loved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLES CAVE, HARRY MCVEIGH, JACK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@suki3981
The lights still in our eyes,
We're leaving this whole fairground behind,
It's a dream that's going cold.
The circus never dies,
The act forever haunts these skies,
I know we cannot stay.
Farewell to the fairground,
these rides aren't working anymore.
Goodbye to this dead town,
until the ice begins to thaw.
This place used to gleam,
I see it in my hopeful dreams,
now I had to get away.
We move towards the stars,
and all that we touch becomes ours,
let's keep warm till it's day.
Farewell to the fairground,
these rides aren't working anymore.
Goodbye to this dead town,
until the ice begins to thaw.
We'll head south, just hold my hand now.
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
and I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
and I'm always with you.
Keep on running,
Keep keep on running,
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home. [x5]
Farewell to the fairground,
these rides aren't working anymore.
Goodbye to this dead town,
until the ice begins to thaw.
We'll head south, just hold my hand now,
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes,
and I'm running through the snow towards the sunset,
and I'm always with you
@serava25
The light's still in our eyes
We're leaving this whole fairground behind
It's a dream that's going cold
The circus never dies
The act forever haunts these skies
I know we cannot stay
Farewell to the fairground
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
This place used to gleam
I see it in my hopeful dreams
Now I have to get away
We move towards the stars
And all that we touch becomes ours
Let's keep warm till it's day
Farewell to the fairground
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
We'll head south, just hold my hand now
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
And I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
And I'm always with you
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Keep on running
Keep, keep on running
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
Farewell to the fairground
These rides aren't working anymore
Goodbye to this dead town
Until the ice begins to thaw
We'll head south, just hold my hand now
I feel like I'm casting off my clothes
And I'm running through the snow towards the sunset
And I'm always with you
@colbnaonline
The guy working out in this video, combined with White Lies music in general, is what motivated me to loose nearly 60 pounds over the last year and a half. I know that a nameless person working out in a video seems like a strange source of inspiration, but it did it for me. Thank you so much White Lies for your incredible music and always interesting music videos.
@NinjaShadow47
wow that's good to hear
@jimmend7361
Really cool man, great job. And it's not weird, this video and especially that part are very inspirational.
@tonysirius3215
Are you talking about the frontman lol
@Zouszz
Nameless person, huh? he’s Vitaliy Chernienko, the Chernoborsk Mauler, an undefeated Russian kickboxing champion in the years 1998 - 2002. A pride of Chernoborsk oblast. And i made this one up on the go. But i bet there’s a story behind this dude. Like all the people in this video.
@thepl8gued0ct0r8
@@Zouszz damn so a legend then
@tonym5075
That drummer is killing it, so simple but so powerfull!
@Sam.gaming-1360
Fun facts in the drummer's name is Jack Lawrence Brown
@NinjaTraktor
Шестой год я живу в подобном месте, вдали от дома. Мне ужасно тоскливо и одиноко здесь. И вот наконец я решился, и уезжаю домой. Вроде бы и рад, но так жалко расставаться со всеми этими прекрасными людьми, которых повстречал на севере.
Песня бьёт прямо в самое сердце. А клип максимально атмосферный и пропитан эстетикой северных ебеней. Всем тем, кто оторван от дома и страстно хочет вернуться:
держитесь ребята, весна обязательно настанет!
@user-pf2ii1sl6h
Ты не совсем понял посыл. Судя по тексту, ТАКИЕ МЕСТА - ЭТО И ЕСТЬ ДОМ! А сытые, тёплые места, как Москва - чужой цирк. Это как у Шевчука: Еду я на Родину. Пусть кричат - уродина. А она нам нравится, хоть и не красавица. Посыл такой: не забывай и люби свой дом, даже если это тоскливые северные ебеня.