The band's music is an eclectic mix of genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, and pop. They are known for their energetic and emotional live performances, which are often accompanied by elaborate visuals and lighting.
X Ambassadors' breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, "VHS," in 2015. The album spawned several hit singles, including "Renegades," "Unsteady," and "Jungle," which have collectively amassed over a billion streams on Spotify alone. "VHS" also featured collaborations with other artists, including Imagine Dragons and Jamie N Commons.
One of the band's defining characteristics is their willingness to address personal and social issues through their music. For instance, "Unsteady" is a poignant reflection on the Harris brothers' upbringing with a mother who battled substance abuse, while "Renegades" is a call for rebellion against societal norms.
X Ambassadors have also been vocal advocates for mental health awareness and have worked with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation. In 2019, they launched their own initiative, the "Joyful Tour," which aimed to destigmatize mental health issues and promote self-care among fans.
In addition to their studio albums, X Ambassadors have released several EPs and singles over the years, showcasing their versatility as a band. They have also collaborated with other artists on various projects, including the soundtrack for the Netflix film "Bright" and the song "Home" with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha.
The Business
X Ambassadors Lyrics
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Going back to nine to five
So long, so long
So much for keeping the dream alive
I've waited so long
The silence it gets so loud
Wish I knew what I know now
So I say
Come on get out, get out, get out, I'm giving up
Come on show up, show up, show up when you need me I'm
ready, ready now
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
So long, so long
Going back where I belong
So long, So long
C'est La Vie, say life goes on and
Waited so long
The silence it got so loud, I wish I
knew what I know now
So I say
Come on, give up, give up, give up, gotta let it go
Come on get out, get out, get out, I'm giving up
Come on show up, show up, show up when you need me I'm
ready, ready now
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
So the jokes on me
Yeah the jokes on me
So I say
Come on, give up, give up, give up, gotta let it go
Come on get out, get out, get out, I'm giving up
Come on show up, show up, show up when you need me I'm
ready, ready now
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
I'm gonna give up the business
The lyrics to X Ambassadors' "The Business" tell the story of an individual who has grown tired of chasing their dreams and is ready to give up. The repeated phrase "So long" serves as a farewell to the life they had hoped to have, and the line "Going back to nine to five" acknowledges that they will return to a more conventional, less fulfilling form of employment. The singer expresses regret for not knowing then what they know now, implying that they may have made different choices had they been wiser.
The chorus of the song is an anthem of resignation, with the singer urging themselves to "give up" and "let it go." They seem to be pleading with themselves to abandon their ambitions and accept their current circumstances. However, despite their desire to move on, the singer is not entirely ready to let go of their past aspirations, singing "Come on show up, show up, show up when you need me I'm ready, ready now."
Overall, "The Business" presents a melancholic but relatable portrait of the struggle to pursue one's dreams and the difficult decision to give up on those aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
So long, so long
Goodbye, farewell
Going back to nine to five
Returning to a standard job
So much for keeping the dream alive
The dream is dead
I've waited so long
The wait has been long and difficult
The silence it gets so loud
The silence is deafening
Wish I knew what I know now
Regret for not having knowledge earlier
Come on, give up, give up, give up, gotta let it go
Encouraging oneself to let go of the business
Come on get out, get out, get out, I'm giving up
Announcing that one is giving up
Come on show up, show up, show up when you need me I'm ready, ready now
I will be there for you when you need me
I'm gonna give up the business
I am going to give up the business
Going back where I belong
Returning to where one feels they belong
C'est La Vie, say life goes on
Such is life, it goes on
Waited so long
The wait has been long and difficult
The silence it got so loud, I wish I knew what I know now
Regret for not having knowledge earlier
So the jokes on me, Yeah the jokes on me
Realizing that one has been foolish
I'm gonna give up the business
I am going to give up the business
Writer(s): Samuel Nelson Harris, Alexander Junior Grant, Casey Wakeley Harris, Adam Levin, Noah G. Feldshuh Copyright: Stoned And Funky Publishing, Crean Publishing, Songs Of Universal Inc., Noah Feldshuh Music, Songs Mp
Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.