



On February 3, 2012 Billy Talent took to twitter and said "We think every single tattoo is amazing, and we are honoured to have our lyrics or images on people forever. The people that would leave negative comments are the people who truly don't get spirit and the message of this band. It's about love and tolerance and acceptance. Again we love every single tattoo that we have seen and think that they are amazing and that you are amazing!"





This can clearly be seen in their writing. Also, keep in mind that any list is going to be subjective, and although I try really hard to put personal interests and feelings aside, this list may still be influenced based on my interests and feelings.





Billy Talent has made such a massive impact on this world, and our lives. Especially in this time of pandemic, they are a voice for change. I look forwards to I Beg To Differ (This Will Get Better). I think it's exactly the song we need right now.





Additionally, this is not a list of my personal favourites from Billy Talent; rather, this is a list of the songs I think are the most richly written songs of theirs, as well as the songs that define key elements of the band itself.





Choosing just 10 songs was an extremely difficult task, and I've spent months in the making of this list. Choosing the 10 songs was the first difficult task, then after that was the massive task of putting my thoughts about the song, and its writing in particular, onto paper. Then editing... and here is the end result!

Honourable Mentions:





I) Devil On My Shoulder









Yes, the fan-favourite, and the 2010 rock song of the year in Canada is an honourable mention. This song is 3 minutes and 48 seconds of pure Rock n' Roll. By all means, it will go down as a staple in the Billy Talent discography.





Let's talk about the opening verse:





As I get closer, my dreams get farther/

I climb the ladder, you kick it over/

There's need for water, you give me vinegar/

When I drink your medicine, it just makes me sicker





They use a lot of metaphors and hyperboles in this verse to emphasize the struggle of the character. It also characterizes the characters struggle as a physical entity who is pursuing him. It is a very effective method that they employ in this song, because it really gets the message across that this guy just cannot catch a break. The reason I chose to highlight the first verse is because it is very indicative of the direction the song takes. The use of metaphors and hyperboles are the main content of the song.





II) Fallen Leaves





Yet another fan-favourite just misses out on the top 10. The song is so iconic to them, and it kills me to leave this song out of the top ten, but I hope you will see why when you see the stellar songs ahead of this one.





This song deals directly with the drug problem in Vancouver--particularly in East Hastings. If you ever walk down East Hastings, or even just see it on TV, you find yourself wondering "where the hell did they go wrong?" because the homeless and drug problems there are so severe there that they are startling. It is one of the most depressing sights to see.





It is a song that they absolutely just crush out of the ballpark. They do a fantastic job at humanizing these people we often tip-toe around, and giving insight on what got them there. There are a plethora of reasons, but they focus on perhaps the most prominent one of them all--drugs.





In a crooked little town

They were lost and never found

Fallen leaves, Fallen leaves

Fallen leaves on the ground





That chorus is just so beautiful. Hearing it makes you want to chant. Yet behind the words there is so much more. The people that they are referring to, in most cases, have had traumatizing childhoods and got caught up in drugs because of it. It is a song that you can easily get lost in thought to, because it is so thought provoking.





III) White Sparrows





Talk about heart-wrenching. Anyone who has lost a loved one can relate to this song, and even find themselves overcome by emotion. The song-writing is that good here. I think that there's not much else to say, I could go into more depth about the song-writing, but that would take away from the beauty of this song. It is one you have to hear for yourself.





IV) River Below





Dark, gritty, yet somehow, it gets you to think about drawbacks of our society. This is a narrative that critiques us, and asks us to consider the severity our actions, and whether or not they birth killers.





It is not to say that people like the one demonstrated in this narrative are exempt of responsibility for their actions, because at the end of the day, it is them who commits the crime. However, it does ask us to consider our behavior and whether or not we can make changes within ourselves to minimize situations like this, where someone feels so isolated and alone, and as a last ditch effort they take the lives of others.





This is unquestionably a highlight in the Billy Talent discography.





V) February Winds





Lastly, to round off the Honourable Mentions, we have a fairly new addition. February Winds is a call for equality. It is a beautiful song that is at its core, exactly what Billy Talent represents.





It is one of Billy Talent's most political songs to date, and that is saying something. It was written at the time of the Syrian refugee crisis, and it's a plea for the end of bigotry.





Light up your book of matches

Open your heart to action

We all need second chances

What reason to help but for love?





They ask for us to be a light for each other, and to keep room in your heart for others that you may not understand because of religious or cultural reasons. Many refugees fled to North America to escape crisis, and to better their lives--and more importantly, their children's lives. It would be amazing if we could set apart our differences and just coincide with one another.





10) Hanging By a Thread









It's hard to write a good breakup song, or a song about a toxic relationship. When compared to other similar songs that they have written, Hanging By a Thread really stands out because of the richness of the writing. Perhaps Diamond on a Landmine comes close, but regardless, Hanging By a Thread is special. Although songs like The Ex are amazing, and easily vent-able to, they lack a deeper meaning.





"An ounce of insecurity is worth a pound of lead," that line is so beautiful! But it also speaks measures, because insecurity weighs you down so much.

Another GREAT line in this song: “It’s hard to hold an olive branch with a gun against my head.” There is no better way to word this. It is just a fantastic line. How does one extend an olive branch to another while being held at gunpoint?

There’s so much toxicity in the relationship being sung about, perfectly summer up by one line:





”When our words are dipped in gasoline, our love goes up in flames,” this line is so effective that it is summative of the entire song. To have a line that says so much with so little is rare. Spectacularly, Billy Talent does this consistently.





This us a great song that showcases Billy Talents amazing song writing and how their music has matured—like fine wine.





9) Saint Veronika





This is another beloved song among Billy Talent fans, based off of the novel Veronika Decides to Die. The message they send with this song is so powerful. You are not alone.





I chose to put Saint Veronika on here instead of Nothing to Lose because of the perspective the song is sung from. Nothing to Lose is not necessarily written worse than Saint Veronika, it is just written different. However, Saint Veronika is written more maturely than Nothing to Lose.





Some great lines from this song that made me include it are:





"She was sick and tired of being invisible, it's hard to see in colour when you're miserable."

As someone who has suffered through a terrible depression, I can attest for this. Often, it can be difficult to describe the pain you feel with a mental illness, so when a song can explain it with such accuracy, it means a lot.





And if you want to talk about rich song writing, the second and third verse of Saint Veronika is just so beautiful, and I honestly can't pick just one line from it.





No one ever thought that she was capable,

And the damage done is irreversible,

Now she clings to life inside a hospital,

Like she's trapped inside a frozen waterfall.





Always said her life was never meant to be,

Stuck here living someone else's dream

Well beyond your window there is so much more,

Even every prison has an open door.





These verses are just beautiful; all the lines just fit together perfectly, and the message they send is invaluable. Everything about this song is comforting. The way they use their own perspectives in the narrative is so effective. In the chorus, it's like they're telling you that they're there for you, and that's something that really isn't said enough. Not to mention the screams during the breakdown, it demonstrates how killing yourself doesn't end the pain, it only passes it on to the ones that love you. And sometimes it can feel like there's no one there for you, but there always is.





8) Worker Bees









Worker Bees... this might be one of their most underrated songs. It is Billy Talent being Billy Talent. The song was written during the George Bush presidency, and it is very critical of George Bush.





It is a song that does not demonize soldiers, but instead says that their government has mislead them. Although it is mainly directed at Bush, it is also a narrative on the American belief of dominance.





March on worker bees

Know your enemy





This is really just a middle finger to the government of the United States government. It calls out the anger rooted in their government, and how they almost brainwash their soldiers to follow their every order. The first half of the song is very much just this.





PROTECT THE HIVE FROM ENEMIES

PROTECT THE HIVE FROM ENEMIES

FOLLOW THE HERD MENTALITY





Honestly, I could probably write an essay on all of these songs, and I'm trying to keep it to a minimum. But the verses of Worker Bees say so much.





We take our orders given by the Queen

We're not the killers we're the Worker Bees

If you resist us you will feel our sting

Surrender now before the swarm sets in!





A pollination coming from the west,

And in a flash we will invade your nest.

Supply of honey flowing bottomless

Play by our rules or you'll be powerless!





They really do a fantastic job at demonstrating the anger, and the ideology of Manifest Destiny. It is at the very roots of the American culture. Manifest Destiny, for those who do not know, is the American belief that they had the God given right to settle on North American soil. As if God had gifted them the Americas to do with what they will.





Over the years, this ideology has grown, and now it seems like the States believe they have divine rights to the entire world. That is not to say that Americans are terrible people, for there are millions of amazing people in the States. But--as is the case for most governments--the right people often are not people fit to have the responsibility of making decisions on behalf of a country and its people.





Lastly,





And we'll march along with our blindfolds on

And we'll ride the rails with our pistols drawn

Can the lord above forgive what we've done?

Can we fight to save our souls?

Can we fight to save our souls?

Will we die to save our home?





I'll just leave that right there for your own interpretation.





7) Red Flag









Inform. Empower youth. Rally.





Earlier I said that a key element in the essence of this band is to inform, and rally for change. Red flag does this better than any other song of theirs.





Cast off the crutch that kills the pain

The red flag waving never meant the same

The kids of tomorrow don't need today

When they live in the sins of yesterday





On Genius Lyrics, Billy Talent themselves commented on the chorus of Red Flag, saying:

"This is about the idea of abandoning the same old band-aid solutions of today in exchange for real change. The ‘red flag waving’ was intended as a sort of warning or red alert that we as people and the planet have reached a boiling point. The kids of tomorrow symbolize our hope for the future and how we can move on from our outdated ways of the past and present."





And what a job they did on the writing of the chorus.





The most interesting line in this song—in my opinion—is, “The kids of tomorrow don’t need today when they live in the sins of yesterday." It points at how important it is to educate our youth, and how crucial it is that we do it right. Instead of raising the next generation to fit the mold that we have made, we should give them the information they need to establish agency over themselves, meaning that their education directly influences their developmental arcs, and we should provide them with enough information that they can decide who they want to be.





That being said, the verses of this song are just as powerful. They put the power in the hands of youth, by essentially saying that the vehicle to societal and political betterment is the minds of youth.





Well I’ve never seen us act like this

Our only hope is in minds of kids

And they’ll show us a thing or to





Our only weapons are the guns of youth,

It’s only time before they tighten the noose

Then the hunt will be on for you

Like the smallest bee packs a sting,

Like a pawn checkmates a king.

We’ll attack at the crack of dawn





Build a ladder if there’s a wall

Don’t be afraid to slip and fall

Speak for yourself or they’ll speak for you





These all speak so effectively, and are all really empowering lines. I truly believe education is evolution. It should not be used to create cookie cutter people, but instead to further us as a species. How do we do that? Just like Billy Talent encourages us to. Encourage children to think for themselves, and provide them relevant information that they can formulate their opinions off of.





6) Cure for the Enemy





This song hits HARD. It isn’t implied what the narrator's father condition is, but it is implied that it is possibly terminal. This song will hit home for anyone that has lost a loved one to cancer, or another condition.





At the time of recording, the band was facing their own mortality--as Aaron was preparing to undergo open heart surgery. Certainly, there were other factors contributing to the different perspective taken by this song (and for the album in general, as Dead Silence was a big turning point for them), but undoubtedly, the uncertainty of having a beloved band member played into Cure for the Enemy.





They create a sense of uncertainty, as well as some sort of fleeting feeling, with the opening verses.





Time,

Drifts through the sky

Without a reason why.





We walk past the flowers

Don't stop for a breath

Until they're above our heads





We used to fight

Have we made amends?

Father, I just can't tell





Watching you spend

The time you have left

Trapped in a cold blue bed





Cure for the Enemy is a song that depends heavily on the depictions within the lyrics. With the context we are provided, the flowers carry an emotional connotation. Then, later, focus on the cold, blue bed. And in these verses, they beautifully set up the theme and topic of the song.





There is obviously some rift between father and son (I say son because it is sang by a male, but the topic could easily apply to a daughter; that is what makes music so powerful, everyone has their own rendition of the song and what it means to them). They have not always seen eye to eye, and now with this battle the father is fighting, their time to make amends is limited. I think we call all attest to the complexity that family entails. Even if you have a difficult relationship with a family member, it's never easy to say goodbye. Additionally, the actual goodbye itself is a fragile construct that needs to be carried out properly for that individual, because it could carry consequences for the rest of that person's life.





We said

That we would call

But we never spoke at all





The years drifted by

We built up these walls

For reasons that seem so small





If this is the end

Let's bury the past

This might be our one last chance





Together until

The last grain of sand

Has dropped from the hour glass





I said that the first verses set the song up perfectly, yet the second set of verses might be the most interesting, as they lead right up to the climax of the story.





Again, the notion that there is a rift between father and son continues. It kind of draws from Cat's In the Cradle by Harry Chapin, where nothing ever really comes of plans, and things keep getting pushed back due to the obligations of a modern day life (bills, work related travel and responsibilities, etc). And the first stanza relates to that a lot. The disconnection, and the promises that never come to fruition.





And then for whatever reason, tension arose and walls were built up, and from a reflective stand point those conflicts can seem so small and insignificant. Again, this is dependent on interpretation. These conflicts could be caused by sexuality, political or religious views, as well as a plethora of factors.





And now, as the father is about to pass away, none of that matters. The severity of the situation seems to have prioritized the very basic bond between a parent and their child.





It's their last chance to make amends, and to enjoy each others company while that option is still there.





(So open your eyes)

Open your eyes, and don't forget to breathe!

(If we lose the fight)

If we lose the fight, your spirit will live through me!

(It's time we make right)

It's time we make right the pages of history!

(Until we find)

Until we find a cure for the enemy!





Can I just take a moment to point out how beautifully written this chorus is? There’s something about these words that is just reassuring. It’s such a beautiful turning point in the song. The tone changes from uncertainty to faith. It seems as if he has accepted the unfortunate fate of his father, and promises to keep his father alive in his memory.





It is sort of like a quote from Shakespeare (Ooo, Shakespeare--fancy--I must be an intellectual):

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest,

Nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest;

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.





Summed up, what Shakespeare is saying is that through his memory, and the lines of the sonnet, this character will be immortalized. Personally, when my aunt passed away from cancer, I got her name engraved on my dog tags--that way I always have her with me, and the thought of her never fades. It would also be the same as getting a tattoo to remember a loved one. And to me, that is such a beautiful thought--the idea of immortalizing someone who has passed through the power of memory.





I find it especially touching in Cure for the Enemy--because lets be honest--Shakespeare was totally feeding his ego, and writing about how awesome he is, and how the memory of himself would never die. Well, congratulations prick, your wish came true. However, back to the point! In Cure for the Enemy, the narrator is both reconciling his past issues with his father, and promising to remember his father by having his father's "spirit live through him."





All those you've loved

All those who've died

All we have left is what lives in our minds





All those you've loved

All those who've died

I know their spirits are up in the sky





The second chorus continues this theme of immortalization. Personally, I think the message is that we have the power to create life in our minds, and you have the power to create the image of that individual. Sure, he could remember the disconnection that he had with his father, but he could also remember the good times they shared. Whether it was cracking his first beer together (National Lampoon's Vacation style), or throwing sticks at roller-skaters (had to fit Big Daddy in here somehow), he has the power to create his father in that image after his passing.

























5) The Navy Song









The Navy Song signaled maturation and growth for Billy Talent. It continued where Nothing to Lose left off. It proved that, yes, they could write a song that would have you bouncing off the walls, but they could also make a really pretty song as well.





They wrote from a really interesting perspective, the retrospective of a soldiers life as his ship is being bombarded. They touch on what he was leaving behind at home, and why he was willing to leave that behind.





Time

Rolling along with the waves

A thousand miles away

Holding you close in the rain

Seems just like yesterday





Lost

Hope in a faraway place

And in my hand remains

A black and white print of a face

I'll never see again





I'm doing the total English Teacher move talking about the narrative used, but I guess that's what you get when you have an English major enrolled in the College of Education analyzing a song!





But truly, it is an interesting perspective they chose to use. Off the top of my head I can't think of many other songs that utilize a retrospective narrative amidst a military battle. They really succeed in making you feel like your going in and out of a flashback. The almost "Good Cop, Bad Cop" structure used really adds to this.





When the narrator talks about his home, and his girlfriend/wife, you really get this floaty feeling, like your in a dream. And it's a tone that I really appreciate, because it adds this new dimension to their music. The verses in this song are just so beautiful, that I find it impossible to not be completely incapacitated by them, especially with Ian's brilliant guitar playing.





Then when the chorus hits, it hits hard. It isn't Ben's usual scream that makes it so hard, but more the rest of the band. Ian, Jon and Aaron all go hard, and create the feeling of panic with their instruments. Then Ben's account of the battle really drives it home.





I gave my life to save her

The ocean turned to red

In the fall,

(In the fall, in the fall, when the tide took them all)

(In the fall, in the fall, when the tide took them all)





Cut down like lambs at slaughter

Good men were left for dead

In the fall,

(In the fall, in the fall, when the tide took them all)

(In the fall, in the fall, when the tide took them all)





Like look at the emotions this chorus evokes. Even the hard hitting part of the song is impossibly beautiful. "The ocean turned to red," that line really gives perspective to the mass amount of death that occurred in the battle. I also think it might be a biblical reference to Moses, which might seem like a stretch, but in the next stanza they compare the slaughter to that of lambs--and once again, there's something familiar about a body of water being turned to blood. This is interesting to me, because Moses fought for his people's freedom in the bible, which is the role soldiers play. They protect us, and protect our way of life.





A big theme of the song is also sacrifice, and among many religions, sacrifice is a cornerstone of their stories, especially Christianity. As the face of Christianity, and the root of the word Christianity, is Jesus Christ who was martyred for his beliefs (and for the sins of mankind.





I don't mean to say that this is about a re-incarceration of Moses, because that couldn't be further from the truth, but it's an interesting parallel.





Love

Served until death do us part

I'm drifting in the dark

Wounded and wishing to fall

Into your faithful arms





Once again... the imagery they use is brilliant and beautiful. Another interesting aspect of this song is how it is focused on the homesickness of the soldier. It is something that is well documented, however, it is often overshadowed by the PTSD of soldiers returning from war, and integrating them back into society after experiencing such severe trauma. This is for good reason, as PTSD is a much more dangerous condition.





But it was an interesting decision to use a soldier who knew he would never see his loved ones again as the narrator. The perspective lends itself quite usefully to the moody, sorrowful theme of the song.





Beneath the sky of hate

Beyond the sea of pain

In heaven I will wait

Until we meet again





Again, this loosely relates to my earlier biblical comparison. It touches on the topic of faith, and the comfort it brings before death. The notion that all your suffering accounted for something, and that you would be rewarded for the life you led.





The Navy Song is a beautiful song about sacrifice, and it honours those who have died to protect our way of life, and the many freedoms that entails.





4) Devil in a Midnight Mass





You may recall, while I was discussing Red Flag I mentioned that education is evolution, and it is up to us to provide our youth with information that they can formulate their own opinions on. Furthermore, I do believe that our youth will lead us out of the darkest dungeons we have created.





Devil In A Midnight Mass is about one of those dark dungeons.





John Geoghan, a Roman Catholic priest, was on several occasions accused of molesting the children of his churches. When I say several occasions--that really amounts to upwards of 130 boys over a period of roughly 30 years.





The higher ups of the church were not blind to the allegations, but their response to the allegations was absolutely despicable. Instead of denouncing him as a member of the Roman Catholic Church, they moved him from parish to parish every time allegations popped up. It took 30 years, and a criminal conviction for him to be laicized (denounced).





With the very opening riff, Ian D'sa inflicts this dark, eerie feeling. And Ben's vocals only accentuate that feeling. The ambiance and the lyrics of the song, oddly enough, sounds like a punk-rock rendition of a Catholic Hymn.





Yeeeaaaaaah!





Seriously, these guys don't get enough credit for how carefully they use tone throughout their songs. This opening scream actually plays a fundamental role in how the story is told. It is a conflicted scream that is the sum of all the feelings this priest had inflicted upon his victims. In the original demo for the song, there's a line I wish would have made it into the album version: "I was told that the world wouldn't believe me," it is such a powerful line that adds so much to this song, and even to the initial scream.





You know that feeling when you're just filled to the absolute brim with frustration; and how all that frustration leaves you feeling confused and vulnerable? Then you finally let it out, and it makes you feel so much better? That is what this single scream depicts.





All the times he told these children that nobody would believe them, because they're just a child, and he was an adult... and a priest as well. All the years of feeling invalidated about abuse you have suffered--they build up. And when the verdict is on your side in such a extreme criminal case like this, the whole room just breaks down. It's almost as if a weight is lifted. Not gone, but there's some relief.





The scream is like putting a mento into a bottle of coke, and having watching it explode.





A devil in a midnight mass

He prayed behind stained glass

A memory of Sunday Class

Resurrected from the past





Hold your breath and count to four

Pinky swears don't work no more





Obviously, the "devil" in a midnight mass was the priest who was molesting the children. I don't think I have to defend that. But a few things are important here. One, the damage he did to those children is irreversible, and it is trauma they will carry with them for the rest of their lives (A memory of Sunday Class, resurrected from the past). Another interesting aspect of this song is that it seems to be told in the past tense from a victim. He seems to be describing his feelings, as well as Geoghan's feelings after he was incarcerated--like he was placing ill will on Geoghan's transition to prison life. It is an interesting perspective, having a victim depict their abuser's murder behind bars.





Secondly, I struggled with the significance behind the number four, and for the longest time I thought its purpose was to sound good with the song. But there is a certain feeling the number four evokes, and it bothered be for years. According to the Bible, the fourth day was the day of creation, but that didn't seem to fit in this context. But I did some digging, and found that four was a number that is supposed to bring comfort. It's supposed to provide a sense of stability, and foundation. There's four directions (North, East, South, West), four elements (earth, wind, water, fire), four seasons (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring). Now, I'm not overly spiritual, but I understand that concepts like these can bring people comfort in a time of distress.





Here it signals both the priest knowing his time on Earth is limited, as well as the child trying to cope with the damage that has been caused by Geoghan.





Then lastly, the accusative line: "pinky swears don't work no more," is a comment on how he holds no power over the inmates like he did over the children.





Footsteps down the hallway floor

Getting closer to my door

I was alive, but now I'm singing





(Silent Night!)

For the rest of my life

(Silent Night!)

For the rest of my life

(Violent Night!)

At the edge of your knife

(Forgive me father!)

Won't make it right





(Silent Night!)

For the rest of my life

(Violent Night!)

At the edge of your knife

(You're guilty!)





Again, touching on the priest trying to find comfort in his final moments, and the boy trying to learn to cope, Billy Talent is probably trying to reference "Silent Night," specifically:





All is calm, all is bright

...

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace





Once again, this can be used to describe both Geoghan's final moments before his murder, and the victim that is narrating the song. In both cases, they are struggling with a pain morbidly, and ironically similar.





They are both struggling for their lives, and trying to find comfort in prayer. In both cases, they are fighting a darkness both within and outside of themselves.





Then the second phase of the song kicks off:





A devil in a midnight mass

killed the boy inside the man

The holy water in his hands

could never wash away his sins





Albeit short, it contains a lot of information to take away from. It adds upon the pain already communicated earlier, and the narrator is seemingly saying that who he was before this tragedy is dead. Like a soldier returning from war, a shell of themselves.





Then they touch on accountability. More accurately, the boundaries of position and title. Geoghan was most likely trying to hide his sexuality, and inner demons with the gown of a priest. This would be effective considering they take an oath to abstain from sex. And for many people, they put their complete trust into their pastors--after all, they're a man of God.





Whisper, whisper

don't make a sound

your bed is made

it's in the ground





This whispered chant gradually turns into a furious scream. It basically communicates karma biting him in the ass. All the pain that Geoghan has caused has now come full circle, and he was now paying for his sins.





















3) Forgiveness I + II









This song is special, let me just say that. In fact, it is so special that Billy Talent has decided to create a film inspired off of it.





So far the short film has been met with some uncertainty among fans. This is due mostly to the informality of the project. However, I think this is what makes the project so special. It cements Billy Talent as a transformative band, because of the originality of the project. It is something that hasn't really been done before.





Additionally, it is such a helpful tool in understanding the story of the song. Although the videos are confusing people at the moment, it is because the film is incomplete. When these first two videos (of five in total) are paired with the song, the story can be seen playing out. When all five parts are released, it should come full circle.





As for the song itself, it is one of the strongest songs that Billy Talent has ever put out. It has the most depth in terms of narrative, topped by perhaps only Try Honesty. Honestly, it's that good.





Ha. Get it?! Nevermind, I can see that I'm the only one laughing at my superior wit.





Back to the point--this song is a song about escape and redemption through self realization/finding comfort within one's self. At least that is the impression I get from the lyrics.





Searching for the end

But the journey's the reason for existence





This line really sums up the first half of the song. This person is desperately looking for relief, but they're missing out on entire periods of their life doing so. Additionally, all the painful events in a person's life accumulate and can actually help them develop into a person they are content with... and that's where the second half of the song picks up...





Once again, I'll use one line to summarize the second part of the song:





Wallowing away, wallowing away

Comfort in the grace I've found





Billy Talent really demonstrates how they've matured as individuals with this song. They share the lessons they've learnt throughout their lives without demanding you use their "remedy." They're simply saying to take things as they come, because sometimes the most unexpected things bring out the best in people.





I know what I've said on this song is minimal, and that comes as a result of a couple things.





1) the song is so new, and I have had YEARS to ponder about the other ones





2) There's little to be said. I've always been taught that sometimes simplicity is the best compliment you can receive. This song is so unique, and the potential for interpretation is so great that it would be unjust for me to offer a full analysis of it. The most I can say with ease of mind is that this song is truly unique. Not just for Billy Talent, but for music as a whole.









2) Don’t Count on the Wicked





Don't Count on the Wicked may be Billy Talent's most underrated song. It just has this energy and feel to it that sets it apart from any of their other songs. But most noticeably, the writing in this song is next level.





This heart don't count on the wicked

These hands don't fight at all

This mind don't do what it's told to

These eyes don't cry at all





Once again, this is a prime example of Ian and Ben writing a kickass opening that sets the remainder of the song up.





It seems like, from the opening lines, that it is a song about not putting your confidence in the hands of others--especially those who look to destroy others. Every line from this verse/chorus is about refusal of sorts. The refusal to give into societal demands, and to put your self worth in your own hands.





This heart don't count on the wicked,

We face this world alone.

When all they want is to break you,

Turn anger into hope.





A continuation opening lines, but it also has a slight variation. The chorus is more inspirational and specific than the opening verse. Not to take anything away from the opening lines, they just serve a different purpose.





The chorus is more about overcoming your own personal battles. About forgetting those who have hurt or wronged you, and channeling that energy towards something positive. The line "Turn anger into hope" is special, because not only is it the central point of the song, it is the mantra of Aaron's charity F.U.M.S. (Fuck You Multiple Sclerosis).





Aaron challenges people with MS to cope by acknowledging the anger/feeling of unfairness you feel and then channeling that energy into something positive. Although I hate myself for saying this, but in Biology, it is said that you cannot gain or lose energy, that it only can change states. And although our own personal psychological energy doesn't exactly follow the same laws as literal energy, you can look at it very similarly.





Within this city of villians,

I walk these streets alone.

When everyone is a stranger

Their eyes turn me to stone.





This touches on the anxiety many of us feel in our day to day lives. The fear of not living up to expectations can feel crippling, even to those who don't suffer from anxiety. It is especially overwhelming when you feel as if everyone is looking at you, waiting for you to fail, even if they don't know you.





Calling from the mountaintops,

Rain is falling from the sky above.

They surround you with their darkest thoughts,

Till you Drown in pessimistic thought





You say you don't care if the atom drops,

You say you don't care if the world is lost.

They'll never break you if you're strong enough.

They'll never change you,

If you turn your anger into hope!





Again, a lot of this has to do with overcoming. Because honestly--especially on social media--people are looking for every opportunity they have to destroy another's self confidence. There is a lot of good in this world, but unfortunately, there are a lot of people, that for whatever reason are exposed only to the bad parts of the world. Whether it is an environment like an abusive household, or a condition like depression and/or anxiety, there are a lot of people whose brains just aren't wired in a way that is favourable to them. And this shows itself in people with no conditions as well.





But if you can capture that energy that you are putting towards your negative thoughts, and use it to read a book, or go for a jog--or just do something that doesn't feed that voice in your head, then you can do just fine. It sure as hell isn't easy, but it's possible. So even if it doesn't seem to work at first, keep up hope!





Now time for my favourite line of the song:





I'm telling you,

Tonight I swear

To tear up these nails

From the cross I've beared for giving you control of me





To me these lines are so powerful. I just imagine someone who has had a limb nailed onto a cross for everything they've compromised themselves for another, and now they are tearing the nails away and standing up for themselves.





1) Try Honesty





Let's be honest, what type of Billy Talent list does not have Try Honesty on it somewhere. Try Honesty is quintessentially Billy Talent. It has all their elements in it, from the song writing, to Ben's screams and his softer vocals as well. It has Ian's accusative vocals, his absolutely beautiful guitar riffs, as well as his heavy, intense guitar. It has Jon's punchy basslines that are filled to the brim with creativity. And of course, it has Aaron's signature drumming.





I have thought it over, and I don't know if any of their other songs would have garnered the attention this song did when it first hit Canadian radio stations. That is not to say that the songs following Try Honesty aren't as good--as they do show improvement in a lot of areas. But there's just something special about this song that I can't quite put my finger on. It just has this magical feeling to it.





Not only does it sound satisfying, but there's an intricate story underneath it all. At the core, it is a song that explores power dynamics. The first verse explains how she is completely not in control. They indicate heavily at an abusive father-daughter relationship.





I tripped, I fell down

Naked

I scratched my knees,

They bled

Sew up, my eyes

Need no more.

In our game, there is,

No score





When we think of an abusive relationship, one of the very first lines we think of is "I fell down;" or "Oh, I'm just so clumsy." Over and over and over again, it is common for the victim to find ways to blame themselves.





It can cause this conflicting feeling, like everything is your fault, but it's not your fault that it is your fault. You almost wish as if you could just be blind to it, numb to it. And really, abusive relationships often do resemble some sort of twisted game. There's this constant cycle of give and abusive, where the abuser acts as if they feel guilty and then fall back into their abusive nature.





Forgive me father, why should you bother?

Try honesty! Try honesty!

Hop in your dumptruck, reverse for good luck!

Ride over me! Ride over me!

Take on the whole world, fight with the young girls!

Die tragedy! Die tragedy!

Call me a cheapskate, c'mon for petesake!

Cry agony! Cry agony!





This is where the contemplation of power dynamics kick in. Pretty much, the feeling I get from this is that she has had enough, and she is saying, no matter what you do to me, I won't let it hurt me. Because there is nothing more that he can do to hurt her. He can reverse over top of her in a dumptruck, but she's become accustomed to the pain.





Equally as interesting, and important to the underlying narrative are Ian's back up vocals. They foreshadow at a conspiracy some have about this song... but more on that later.





I'm insane, it's your fault

So sly

Your well, of lies

Ran dry

And I cut, the cord

Freefall

From so high, we all seem like we're

So small





Take a moment and think about how the tone progresses throughout this verse. It starts very accusative--which is important, because the abuse she has suffered is nobody's fault but the father's. Then it progresses a little bit, and she seems be communicate that there's nothing he can tell her anymore that will make her believe that he'll change--the last straw has been drawn. So she "cut's the cord," like an umbilical cord of sorts. She no longer needs him, she's separating herself completely from him--she's no longer "taking nutrients" from him.





But his line may be the most important of all. "From so high, we all seem like we're so small." This suggests that the power has completely reversed, and now she understands his perspective because he seems so small and insignificant.





OOOH I TALK TO YOU!





I'M INSANE IT'S YOUR FAULT!

Crrrry

I'M INSANE IT'S YOUR FAULT!

Crrry

I'M INSANE IT'S YOUR FAULT!

Crrryyyyyy...





This right here symbolizes the full realization that none of this is her fault. She was put into her current position because of her father who abused and neglected her for all her life. An interesting thing to mention is that there is no mention of the mother in this. So that is up to interpretation.





Forgive me father why should you bother now?





It's amazing how adding one word to the end of a sentence can make such a difference. It indicated that she has now acted upon her feelings and done something drastic.





There are so many theories as to this song's meaning. My favourite of them all is that she murders her abusive father. I in no way condone murder, as it is heinous. However, it is such a drastic and unexpected turn. When I first heard someone suggest this theory I thought for sure it was absolute bullshit. But then I really started focusing in on the line "From so high, we seem so small," and it just seems like there is evil intention behind that line.





Then directly after that line it's followed by screams. And Ian's vocals throughout the song hint at something. "Die tragedy!" and "Cry agony!" both sound as if she is inflicting pain upon him in someway. And to me, the screams seem to indicate "the act of," because it is as if she is in a fury, and after that there is a confessional tone in "forgive me father, why should you bother now."





Do I think this is what was going through Ian's and Ben's mind when they wrote the song? No. Ben has said in interviews that it was about a girl he knew growing up, but in a lot of cases, a lot of creative liberties are taken, and a story that is based off someone can turn into another story entirely--but it started with the influence of the initial person or event. I think it is much more likely that an assault or a verbal altercation is actually what is happening--but let's be honest, in the worst way possible, murders are entertaining.









There are so many songs that I wanted to put on this list, and in the honourable mentions... but I realized this was a massive enough project on its own. So here is a list of some of my favourite songs that just came short:





1) Rabbit Down The Hole

2) Standing in the Rain

3) Voices of Violence

4) Viking Death March

5) Swallowed Up By The Ocean

6) The Dead Can't Testify

7) Turn Your Back

8) Afraid of Heights/Afraid of Heights (Reprise)

9) Nothing to Lose

(this might be my favourite song of all time, and it tore at my heart to not include it)











