Hear New Music 005

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Games are good. So is music. So are films. So is life. Life is good. Enjoy these ponderings and more while attempting to keep sane and enjoy this CD I've made. Yum.

And just so you know, I hate you Whit Prowdy.

1. Death From Above - Dead Womb
What a lovely title. Back when the now split Death From Above 1979 used to be simply Death From Above, I saw them supporting The Futureheads at a polish social club in Glasgow. With members or Mogwai and Franz Ferdinand in this tiny converted living room watching two sweaty men bash their instruments in disco rock movements, I knew that this was a classic from the beginning. It was, and remains in my top ten gigs ever. This song represents their earlier, faster and nuttier side incredibly well.
Mp3 | Source

2. Envy - Further ahead of warp
Now, following that up with Japanese Hardcore Post-Rock may seem odd, but I love it. The subdued vocals with wraparound warm sound followed by the brash and abrasive vocals is just a great difference from the usual, but not without breaking it's original feeling. It's a great take, and even though I can't understand Japanese I feel like I understand this... in my own way.
Mp3 | Source

3. Holy Fuck - Lovely Allen
I'll be honest, when I first heard Holy Fuck, I wasn't impressed. Then I saw them at Pukkelpop 2008 and danced like a maniac for an hour. It's the kind of music that always struggles to sound as impressive on CD as it does live, but hopefully this gives you a good enough introduction to the band to seek them out, and wear out your shoes on the dancefloor.
Mp3 | Source

4. This Town Needs Guns - Baboon
Yes, I know, it's yet another Big Scary Monsters band. But I wasn't overly impressed when I first heard these guys in 2008. Only with time, and the right couple of songs (Baboon being one) was I brought to their slightly more dulled twinkly sound. Though I haven't yet, I'm very tempted to get the 'Animals' album, along with Mimas 'The Worries' in the BSM Friend Of The Family deal. Yes, indeed. You should too.
Big Scary Monsters Summer 2008 Sampler | Source (you may need to join FOTF, but it's free!)

5. If These Trees Could Talk - Signal Tree
When you say the words post-rock, what does your mind conjure up? For me it's something like this, only with one distinct difference. It's slow. Yes, this is an up tempo post-rock experience which beats off rivals and joins the heroes of the genre. It's inventive in it's own right, yet also keeps a firm hold on everything that makes post-rock what it is.
Cavity Records/Mylene Sheath 2008 Sampler | Source

6. Athlete - In Between 2 States
I can't believe it either. I stumbled onto Athlete's purevolume page and was about to leave it when I noticed that they had this song up for download. I figured, why not, it can't hurt, they aren't that bad! I was entirely surprised. It seems Athlete have been listening to post-rock and electronica quite a lot, as their delicate indie style has been infused with a great sense of warmth and power, siphoned off quite well from the aforementioned genres. Well done Althlete.
Mp3 | Source

7. Saviours - Holy Slaughter
See this band live. Do it. Find out where they are playing and go. They are a great live band I've only had the fortune to see once, and when I did I immediately ran over to the merch table and bought their debut album 'Crucifire'. It's heavy, but not overly so, with a sense of Black Sabbath taking on any and all bands with Josh Homme in them, with Mastodon as the judicators. Bloody brilliant.
Mp3 | Source

8. Grampall Jookabox - The Girl Ain't Preggers
I played this for my mum, and she said it sounded like a mix between Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem and Gnarls Barkley. If you think that sounds good, you've come to the right place! It's minimalist style is impressive in it's incredibleness, making a sound you aren't likely to hear anywhere else right now. The bass is raw, the drums are handclaps, a tambourine and cymbals, and the melodic refrain comes from two xylophones. What more could you ask for?

Mp3 | Source

9. The Blood Brothers - Cecilia And The Silhouette Saloon
I played this song for my mum and she said 'I like the bass, but the rest of it is rubbish.' Eh, she was wrong, on both counts as that's a moog synth and it's great. Of course, Blood Brothers have their niche, and if you didn't like them before, you won't now. While the quality of their albums varies greatly from disc to disc, they have two stunners which are well worth checking out. This is from the earliest of the two, and while I'd have preferred to put 'Fucking's Greatest Hits' on here, this little beaut' was readily available.
Mp3 | Source

10. Parts And Labor - Fractured Skies
Originally when I searched the internet for this song, I must not have been putting much effort in, as when I stumbled onto the goldmine that is Jagjaguwar Records, I found that they were hiding the Mp3 away on their Mp3 page, of all places. Who would look there?! Still, I'm very happy to be bringing you this incredible song which should fire it's way through your ears like a rocket before exploding like an incredibly good... rocket song. It's fast post-punk rhythms and noise-ridden guitars contrast the almost entirely upbeat sounding horns and vocals to create an incredible tension and shake that no other song seems to be able to muster. Incredible.
Mp3 | Source

11. Push-Pull - Wrapped Her In Horsepower
The only reason I looked up this band is because they did a split EP with Hear New Music alumni Prizzy Prizzy Please inspiringly titled 'PPPPPEP', but I'm glad I did as this song is just sheer noisy brilliance. It's all noise for half the song, then a huge melodic sensibility bounds and almost gains control of the band, before it all goes to pot and noise wins with a knockout punch. Brilliant, a song with a fight in the instruments, I love it when a plan comes... er... apart.
Joyful Noise 2009 Sampler | Source

12. Bomb The Music Industry! - Fresh Attitude, Young Body
Right then, If you look back, you will find that BTMI! did appear on HNM001 and you may be perplexed as to rules regarding reusing of bands, considering the word New in the title of this blog. Well, this song is new, and I am governing myself quite harshly on situations like this. A gap of at least 3 HNMs needs to be between the same band appearing, and at that, only 2 of the bands on that previous HNM can be reused. However, it won't be that frequent anyway. Back to the song. I love this song. It's great, chaotic, melodic, energetic, upbeat, but still with a melancholy sensibility about it, which is the epitome of why I love Bomb The Music Industry! That, and they give all their great music away for free too! Which is nice of them.
Quote Unquote Records 2009 Sampler | Source

13. Laura Stevenson and the Cans - Baby Bones
Also hailing from the Quote Unquote Records family Laura Stevenson has opted to give her music away too, which can only be a good this for the world, considering this song and the album it appears on. It's acoustic melodies and lovely vocals will lull you into a false sense of security before her friends (The Cans) come up behind you with a brass band to take you on an entirely lovely journey. Ahh... lovely.
Mp3 | Source

14. Itch - Do You Know What Fear Is
This is one of the Big Scary Monsters bands that I didn't get at first, but in the end, had me going back for listen after listen, with it growing on me each and every time. It's ended up here, so clearly it's worked! Give it your time and love and you may find it's a great song. Because, well, it is! Especially with an ending like that. Enjoy!
Mp3 | Source

15. Kalpana - This Dead Horse
An entirely different kettle of fish, Kalpana thrust themselves neatly into a post-rock setting with their lovely melodies and slow-building sound, but take charge of the genre at that moment, and create a haunting sound that will wash over you like a breaze, before a thunderstorm begins to build over your head to bring you something you weren't expecting on this most lovely of days. It's a great song.
Mp3 | Source

16. Valina - Phantom Of My Longest Day
When you've got about a hundred songs in front of you, how do you pick what song to listen to first? I randomly picked this gem out of a crowd of that size or bigger and found myself washed away by it's post-punk pull, and it's sinister push, before being swept away by it's almost Cursive-like second half. It's a great little effort, and I'll surely be checking out more from them very soon.
Mp3 | Source

17. Remembering Never - From My Cold Dead Hands
You know what, no matter how much I try and kid myself that I don't like heavy music any more, I just can't do it. There are some times when the quiet stuff, the slow-building stuff, the off-tempo stuff just can't cut it. And that's when I come crawling back to music like this. It's energetic, powerful, not entirely melodic, and it cuts straight to the point. Thank you for the relief from the relief Remembering Never.
Mp3 | Source

18. Anathallo - Don't Kid Yourself You Need A Physician
Now, I couldn't recall where this Mp3 came from for a long time, but I was sure it was Big Scary Monsters, purely because of it's very BSM sound. I was entirely wrong. On the other side of the Atlantic, Anthallo were waiting patiently to figure it out, as this song is incredible. It is my current 'Best song of 2009' and while I'm sure that will change during the year, It is still going to be there in the end. Love it, live it, get it now.
Mp3 | Source

19. Reuben - Shambles
The only way I could possibly follow up my current Best song of 2009 is with my favourite band of all time, Reuben. I fear that there is no band that will take there spot, which always leaves me sad, knowing that the 'hiatus' the band are currently on is a little more permanent than it sounds. I love Reuben, and I always will, get to know them so that if and when they come back, everyone will know what an incredible band they are.
Mp3 | Source

Til next time,
Carl.

Reuben top 25 part two.

10. No One Wins the War (217 points)
Reuben’s first song on their first album was surely a sign that the entire album was to be a great success. “One of the band's favourite songs,” Was a fairly big statement to make when they had 50 songs, how they feel about it now, with more than 100, is unknown. What we can determine though, is that the fans agreed, and what better way to show it, than it kicking off the top ten? Undoubtedly, the song is about growing as a person, with the opening lyric “You try my patience and I break your outer shell, Inside there's sweetness, but you hide it so well,” revealing a hidden poet in Jamie Lenman’s lyrics.

9. Three Hail Marys (230 points)

Where number ten allowed Jamie to grow as a person, this third album banger showed Jamie’s lyrics in an entirely different light. Three Hail Marys showed Reuben at their most stadium sounding. The song is large, anthemic, fist-pumping Nirvana-esque brilliance. Of course, Nirvana seemed to be a huge influence on Reuben, having stated it many times, not least in the lyrics to a fellow album track ‘Crushed By The Weight of Enormous Bullshit’ stating “I can still remember when I first heard the riff that opens "Nevermind" Up...My neck hairs stood up stiff”. Their influence on the band appears many times, whether in the style of lyrics, the sound of some songs (especially earlier), or just the chaotic nature of some songs. “And I am going to break, these things in my heart, Dark and disgusting, Feeling and growing, Taking over.”

8. Blamethrower (259 points)

This huge riff beast is one of the most potent on the band’s second album ‘Very Fast Very Dangerous’ with the basic message of ‘Take the blame, and don’t pass the buck,’ laced throughout the song. The anger from Jamie towards these people is also evident in the vocals and the nature of the song, making it a thunderous and shouty song, while still maintaining a cool head and perfect sound. One of the first songs to be heard from the second album, it was a huge difference from Reuben’s first, which is nothing short of a good sign, especially to Reuben fans. “You got to blame somebody for all your fucking mistakes, so someone else will pay for all the bad choices that you make, and it is all your fault that you feel angry like you do, But you cannot admit it and you're stuck thinking: "Now I don't feel so fucking good.””

7. Freddy Kreuger (260 points)

Of course, in all this aggression, Reuben are just a pop band at heart, with songs like this bursting out of Radio’s everywhere, and oozing good feeling. This is a lament to Reuben themselves, and was probably the one song every fan wanted to hear live more than any other. The anthemic chorus and sing-a-long lyrics are so potent and evident that you can understand it being the biggest acclaim the band ever got, getting a huge amount of play on music channels, and even circulating the radio stations at high velocity. Of course, it’s just a song that shows Reuben are just fun at heart, a message that came through with every interview and live show they ever did. Of course, the lyrics are probably about being sick of everything, even horror films, but that doesn’t matter… does it? “My name is Freddy Kreuger, and I've got the Elm Street Blues, I've got a hand like a knife rack, and I die in every film.”

6. We're All Going Home in an Ambulance (272 points)

This was probably the first recorded song I had heard from the third album, showing me a darker, more intelligent band behind the wheel. The songs lyrics are about a more serious topic than I thought Reuben were capable of; the tolerance for bullying and, in a way, racism. This is captured quite clearly within the lyrics, and how Jamie himself went through a few ordeals to inspire it. He tells of how “At school the choices I made were rock and roll bands and getting good grades. But brains and wearing all black, to some of these guys, it's like a red flag,” and further “I wish I had the guts to stand up for myself, and for others as well, against these fuckers.” Obviously, while it’s a tough subject for him, the song received huge acclaim from fans and newcomers alike, who heard the song on a Rock Sound CD. The song is an incredible act, and is definitely one of my top 5. “I once saw a man, with blood on his face, from beating up black kids, I could hardly breathe.”

5. Lights Out (274 points)

In perfectly odd fashion, this was one of the first songs heard from the second album, also having been put on a Rock Sound CD. What are the chances? This song was a chance for Reuben to experiment, it was their way of “attempting to try and create dynamism without heading straight for the distortion pedal.” Of course, they succeeded and created a great song too. Thomas Lockyer from the Reuben forums thought so, as he put it number one, “Lights Out is my favourite Reuben song above all other Reuben songs for a few reasons. …It has a great distinctive riff, a few nice vocal additions from Jon, it's easy to sing along to, but I think the main reason is the fact that a lot of people can relate to… the lyrics. Most (if not all) other Reuben songs also have these qualities, but Lights Out does it in a different way which keeps me listening again and again.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I won’t.

4. A Short History of Nearly Everything (389 points)

This one is my personal favourite. It starts with this huge lumbering bass riff, and slowly brings the other instruments in, ready to charge forward with the great intensity that Reuben fans can expect by the end of the third album. As Reuben do so well, they show great emotion and burgeoning passion for their music, especially in this song, with piano taking the lead for a while, before the song breaks down to complete silence, only to explode into a chasm of wonderful storytelling and sound. Essentially, the song is about a time when Jamie and a friend climbed a big hill, and had a great day doing it, but it feels like so much more. Even Barry Ronayne agrees stating, “It’s one of the best songs to close an album that I've heard.” He also states that on more than one occasion, the song gives him “chills”. I know that feeling. “Do you remember our best adventure? Stealing off to climb Westers Hill? Creeping out of our house at midnight? Do you remember on the way down after,
I cut my leg right open on that fence? And I cried and I cried...”

3. Shambles (403 points)

How fitting too, that the last song by Reuben to be released sits so high up on a list celebrating their music. Not only that, but it was also the last song on their first ever EP! Maybe I should explain. When the Pilot EP came out back in 2001, the band named Angel had just decided to change their name to Reuben. On that EP, for the first 100 copies anyway, a two minute long song called Shambles graced the ears of fans, and they were intrigued. A rumour started to float around that the band were going to put a bigger, longer version of it on the EP, but the studio time ran out, and the short, two minute version was added instead. For years, Reuben fans cried out to hear the long version, and in 2008, they got their wish. The re-recorded song was much more in depth and showed Reuben’s progression as a band to the fullest extent, bursting with a kind of unrealised brilliance. Just before Reuben were laid to rest, their final song showed them at perhaps their most alive. “Stick close to me and I won't let you go, all of this is worth it if it meant a thing to you, so suffer me, if that is all that you can do. I am good, I am good.”

2. Stuck in My Throat (411 points)

When I saw this rocketing up the chart, I couldn’t quite understand it. I had never been the biggest fan of this song, the first proper single from Reuben’s debut album. I had my doubts when I first heard it, whether the album would be as good as I hoped. Of course, I got the album and loved it straight through; with this nestling quite nicely as an album track. It was only when I listened to the song by itself, doing this list now, reading other fans words that it all really clicked. In the words of forum member Wordsfromreuben, “It’s that dirty opening riff. It’s that awkward intensity that accompanies genius lyrical content. It’s that incredibly slick transition from growling to singing that only a Lenman can provide.” It’s everything that Reuben encapsulated as a band. I love it more now than ever, as do I understand it more too. Time is a great thing. “I thought I saw you stray but I love you anyway. And I'd like us to be forever. That's what I tried to say, but it gets stuck in my throat, and words are missing.”

1. Return of the Jedi (453 points)

No Reuben song is more deserving of the number one spot. This is the one song that any Reuben fan can understand; even it spelled the end of the band long before it ever happened. In truth (and the words of Dave Venom), it’s a song that “rages against the music industry with such venom”, while still keeping the Reuben upbeat pop sensibility, and utter lyrical grace. It’s Reuben at their most truthful, stating, “these here Helmet rip offs, they don't buy my lunch, so I will get a real job in the office, and I wont bother to make my music, and I wont bother to sing my songs.” It shows certain vulnerability for their way of life and the state the music industry is in these days. For these kinds of bands who devote their lives cannot make a living off of their love, where so many others can, forcing them to get other jobs and spend less and less time being creative, until their world becomes squashed. “Piracy is piracy if you sail the seven seas or surf the net, Record firms, they're making losses but they spend it like they're making it… so your favourite bands they don't make that second album- dropped by their label cos they can't pay it back- it killed them!” Also with this song, the band take a firm stance against the record labels which have dragged them and so many other bands down into the gutter, and the piracy that causes them to loose their steady paycheck. It’s a heavy song, lyrically and musically, but still swings around with a forceful dancing beat. It’s Reuben in their finest hour, and there is nowhere else it should be than here.

Still, there is a message to be taken from it. Reuben didn’t give up there, and in fact went on to record another album, a Christmas single, and an EP. Felix Carter explains, “the "Sure..." sung in the last seconds of the song, I always took to be a sarcastic retraction of the previous verse (“I wont bother to make my music”). As if he was so in love with music that it had become an indispensable part of him, and regardless of how poor he was, or unsuccessful, he could never give up music. It's an inspiring sentiment for any musician; now bathed in the twisted light of irony, given Reuben's decline.” What else is left to say?

The gap in the hearts of Reuben’s fans will never be filled, unless they come back of course. No band comes close. None. (Cheesy, but true.)

But the saddest part of it all? We’ll never get that Doctor Who themed album!

Still, at least he gets a name drop in their Christmas single:

Carl England

Reuben top 25 part one.

In 2008, arguably the UK’s best underground band, Reuben, split up. Well, okay, “indefinite Hiatus”, but how many bands have said that and then never act on it? The band’s official forum blossomed with uproar, memories, emotion and heartache. Reuben’s fans are loyal, I can tell you that, and everybody who had a farewell message to the band almost broke their keyboard with their huge goodbyes. It is for that reason that I have delivered this list to you. You may not know the band, but maybe this, and their music, will change your mind.

Reuben’s ten-year history had its ups and downs, including headlining festivals, having their Christmas dreams shattered, stealing fans from Metallica, almost breaking the top 40 and then breaking up. Along the way, they wrote and recorded over one hundred songs, released three albums, eleven singles, six EP’s, a huge double-disk DVD and even had time to pose as their favourite Doctor’s. This list tries to chart their musical successes by taking the votes from dozens of fans, and compiling them to find out what is truly Reuben’s greatest song.

25. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (118 points)

Starting off the list is a great little song that was first heard on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show when he had them in doing a session. It’s tough little riff and fast yet complex structure made sure fans knew that album two was going to deliver, hard. “I got a band and a woman too,
I got a plan and a focussed view and that's cool for twenty one”

24. Moving to Blackwater (133 points)

This slow little number was the bands final single from album number one, and personally, I think it was an odd choice. After the first (‘Stuck In My Throat’) terrorized the listener and the second (‘Freddy Kreuger’) was a poptastic wonder, it was an odd choice to see Reuben pick this, slower effort instead of something a little more crowd pleasing. However, it stuck it out and is now favoured by many as a great song, landing itself in many top 5’s. “My smile is fragile, my heart is held together with string and sellotape, be gentle.”

23. Parties Break Hearts (140 points)

This one is a dirty little rocker. One for the riffs, the dancing and certainly a little bit of sexual innuendo too. A brilliant song, which is one of my personal favourites, and clearly I’m not the only one. “And the word on everyone's lips is 'oxygen'. And before I can catch my breath it's time to drink and dance again.”

22. Good Luck (153 points)

Jamie Lenman donned his acoustic and a lovely girl vocalist for this, more intimate effort. This song about two separate events in Jamie’s life, which just made him want to say, “Good Luck, I hope I never see you again”. It’s a brilliantly written song, which a lot of people can connect too in some way, and I personally am thankful it made it onto this list. “Cause if you hurt me, I will hate you, it's just as simple as that, it's not mature, and it's not progressive, that doesn't alter the fact…”

21. Alpha Signal Three (153 points)

Bringing in another guest vocalist for this, almost entirely aggressive look at a relationship with a girl, this song shows the more powerfully focused side of Reuben’s heavy tendencies. Take shouting, add thundering bass and guitar, chuck in some brilliant riotous drumming and stir it up with a healthy dose of great lyrics, and you might have an idea of how bloody good this song is. “I guess I loved her, But I still made her cry.”

20. Scared of the Police (158 points)

Reuben’s first single showed a side to them that was almost undeniably the way of things to come, at least for their upcoming first album. It was heavy yet very melodic, with a healthy dose of singing and shouting too, and yet still had a sense of originality and burgeoning talent. “I’m scared of your anger, and I don’t know what causes it, and you know that it hurts me, but I like you.”

19. Suffocation of the Soul (161 points)

With their third album, Reuben showed more promise than ever before, writing a great amount of songs that just exploded with ideas and stories. This song seems to be about Jamie loosing his mind a little, with hints towards it focussing on his relationships and being a member of the band. It is a powerful song, which could have many meanings that only one man now working in an office knows. “I could create like it was stealing, I loved to sing how I was feeling. I had a soul that burned for beauty, but who gives a shit? I must admit, I've lost it a little bit, I've lost it a little bit.”

18. Horrorshow (163 points)

Another great from the early days of Reuben, this is the second song from their debut album ‘Racecar Is Racecar Backwards’. It seems to explore Jamie’s mind, encouraging memories for him while playing with Reuben, and showing a darker side to his personality that may not necessarily come through otherwise. Also, it shows his more dependant side on people with lyrics like “I try my best and now I don't sleep, I never rest. My aching heart is emptiest when I'm alone.”

17. Best Enemies (165 points)

A more quiet sombre number, this song explains Jamie at one of his clearly saddest moments, when his girlfriend has clearly been doing something bad behind his back, and he’s had let go a woman who he felt very attached too. This shows Jamie at one of is more heart-wrenching moments, and is a perfect example of the contrast from one song to the next in Reuben’s back catalogue. “So now the tears come easily and she promises to change her ways, but it's not about what you do, it is who you are that matters these days”

16. Cities on Fire (168 points)

Like many people, the day when Reuben released new material, live, on compilations or online, was the best day of the week. Reuben would always surprise, intrigue and keep you held close for the entire running time. So when I first heard ‘Cities Of Fire’ live, I was flabbergasted and loved it instantly. Before I would hear it on CD, I would hear it twice more live, and by the second time, I sang along with nearly the entire chorus. This song, inspired by the Great Fire Of London, sounds so warm, yet so abrasive, that it feels exactly as it should when describing a city ablaze. “So play your violin, and breathe the sulphur in,
take it on the chin, as London sheds its skin.”

15. Dusk (171 points)

To reach the end of Reuben’s first album unaffected would be a feat. And if you had, this song would surely change your mind. The song, described by the band themselves as being about “the exhaustion that the band felt in creating their first album” and everything they went through to get to that point, funding the money for it’s inception out of their own pockets. The song itself is sombre, yet satirical and pretty frank in its description of themselves as a band. “This situation, it tears us apart, and we joke about it, we make jokes of ourselves.”

14. Every Time a Teenager Listens to Drum N’ Bass a Rockstar Dies (176 points)

At this second album stage, this was a new thing for Reuben, as it was the first to feature a pre-song computer "beats" section, and it became a live favourite quickly due to this and it’s potent chorus line. It would seem like this is about the age-old description of someone who spends all their time with their girlfriend and leaves their friends behind, to abusive remarks.
”You're so pretty, and I'm so stupid...” became a favourite live line quickly, and it showed Reuben’s great fanbase, who would belt these lyrics back at the band, to the extent that they themselves wouldn’t have to sing them at all.

13. Let’s Stop Hanging Out (179 points)

One of Reuben’s early singles, it was a surprise to many that this was re-recorded for their debut album. Personally, I don’t see why, as it was possibly one of their best songs up to that point, and clearly, is still held up high in many fans minds. It’s chanted chorus and potent mixture of melodic and aggressive lyrics made this a live favourite quickly, and Reuben gained a new fan in the shape of MTV’s own Zane Lowe. “Oh, lets stop hanging out, Let's stop having fun, you deserve to be with no one!”

12. Banner Held High (183 points)

Personally, I was surprised to see this up this high, considering it’s a b-side on a very early single. That though, has nothing to do with the song. The song is a rip-roaring blast festival in which your face wouldn’t last 3 seconds. This song was originally favoured over the eventual A-side choice of ‘Stux’, to no avail, as it ended up 22 spaces higher in this list than aforementioned single choice. “Social interaction, it makes me sick down to my stomach, I'm just building up a network, of these people I pretend to know.”

11. Fall of the Bastille (195 points)

Personally, I think this song is about a time in Jamie’s life when he was young, and his girlfriend dumped him. Well, it may not sound like an inspiring time of life, but it’s what happened after that which I think inspired the lyrics. It seems like Jamie’s dad’s words of comfort helped him out, and got him back on the right path. Who knows, it’s all conjecture really. “If you say "nothing left to lose", then you have not lost your voice, and if you've got the guts to choose, I will still give you the choice”