Semisonic - Down In Flames

[turoniner]

That drummer really needed to just shave his sad head...

[atticus126]

they abandoned this song early on. I saw them live in around 1998 and they didn't play it. I just looked and saw it's not on their greatest hits album. Anyone know why they stopped playing it? Maybe because it does seem to be about suicide?

[jondoe8889]

@atticus126 - also reading Jake's book (very good!). The band wanted FNT as their first single, but the MCA head wanted this. The band (via MCA) spent a million dollars to get it promoted (payola), and it went no where.

There is an interesting page on how payola works these days - all legal, via 'consultants'

[dansig123]

is vamprie bill the singer?--kidding--some of the most poetic rock lyrics i have ever heard.

[1800Randy]

Everytime I hear "Closing Time" on the Radio I shake my head that it wasnt this song that went big.

[GeronimosLastStand]

THIS IS A GREAT SONG. I HAVE LOVED IT FOR YEARS.

[marcusg0th]

this song is about suicide?

[29bpm]

@marcusg0th I can't say for sure but that's always been my take on the song... if you look up the lyrics it seems pretty clear to me that it's about a suicide.

[biggerbigd]

The drummer has a great book out. Very good read about being a "rock star." A must read for young musicians starting in the biz. Very well written.

[drummerjmp]

@biggerbigd I'm reading it now, had to come see what this song was about

[djvictroladadj]

honestly, i saw them live with the Verve Pipe @ Irving Plaza NYC and they were AMAZING live.....

[djvictroladadj]

w00t #69 like >.<

[MBP6705]

It makes me sad that none of my friends know this band.

[grope4luna]

Chocolate: It's actually: "now your father's face is frozen between anger and it's years..."

But you are still 100% right. It's beautiful.

[brandonedge]

great divide is one of the best records of the 90s. i wish there was a vid for the title track up.

[SaltRock0000]

90's were the ebst, i demand a 1 way timemachine!

[wicketwicket1]

i love this song

[misterpress]

Always loved this tune...their best tune. Period. Great band!!

[634devil]

This is their best song!

[agriffina]

Remember when this came out and it didn't catch on at all, but it's my favorite of theirs.

[DesecrationSmile52]

covering this song is really fun. great song by a great band

[evilnarc]

Its sad to know that this seriously tanked when it came out

[lastbroadcast1]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time, it brings me back to the first girls i liked..jeez scary stuff

[dwellersire]

This video sounds like its about sombody that committed suicide by "stifling behind surburban wheels" like suffocating in a garage, rather than living their full life and going down in flames

[chocolaterazr96]

"Now your father's face is frozen between anger and tears, your mother's hair's amazingly gray, and I'm seeing these friends for the first time in years, it's icicle reunion day."

one of the most poetic lines I've ever heard, Semisonic is amazing

[obamamaniac42]

down with mitnick25

[taxes15]

I love this song. And the video is fun. I love Semisonic ^_^

[jimboc88]

this is a totally rockin song! gona have to get it tabbed by my guitar teacher as i doubt there is a lesson on youtube.love 'singing in my sleep' too

[BacklightProductions]

why is this the only place on youtube where the video is?

[BacklightProductions]

i freaking love this song

[Mitnick25]

wow this song sucks

[chrism823]

The song is simply about the stifled feeling of realizing "this is all there is, I'll never accomplish much more than this." He is being greeted by a "ghost" of his future, who reminds him that he has a long life of responsibility, and not much glamour left. Genius.

[grope4luna]

Oh really? I think it is more about Dan dealing with Matt and Dan s upcoming record deal.

"I said friend you have a life to see..why do you have to scare me so?"

If you really know Trip Matt was the catalyst, Dan was the flame, John was the root and Elaine was the freight line to drive them home.

[skootrd]

inspirational

[vaelrix]

lol I'm reading the book too. Probably everyone who reads it checks this vid out.

[xdxdxdhapa]

did those directors even listen to the song before they wrote their suggestions for the video?

[bobbyflay]

Yea, im actually reading that book right now. I really like Semisonic, theyre so underrated

[mackhine]

Love this song! Thanks for posting it.

[ConflictBGS]

Perfect in one word explanation ;)

[rootandsky]

i can't believe this song went nowhere on the radio.

[bunnyknows1]

@rootandsky It did in certain areas of the country. But sadly, that doesn't mean anything.

[turoniner]

@rootandsky Haha I can easily believe it. This song was a bad choice for a lead single. The label guy was trying to fit them into hard rocking alternative music. And that's not what they were. They were adult contemporary easy listening, albeit with distorted guitar. Plus their image was terrible: 33 year old dorks in turtlenecks were never going to appeal to the early/mid nineties MTV generation.

[rootandsky]

the book is insanely awesome, read it

[ilivetobeimmortal]

yup

[stmaskater]

I had no idea that these guys were from minnesota that's were i'm from

[daaspacepope]

U should read the book by the drummer of Semisonic its a good book. Titled So you WAnt to Be a Rock and Roll Star

[BatmanFanGirl]

Does anyone know what this song is supposed to be about? :-)

[poptartjen]

From what I recall, I think that it's about a friend's death (possibly due to suicide) and how it affected friends and family. Listen closely to the lyrics.

[BatmanFanGirl]

Thanks. I figured it was as suicide the part that puzzles me is the last verse. I was thinking he was an air pilot or something. he heh ;-)

[beyond7477]

great~

[jetstobrazilni]

a classic...i thought the great divide was a better album than feeling strangely fine...maybe not but a great album nevertheless.

[Velasa]

... I didn't even know a video for this song existed, let alone one so gloriously 90's. One of my absolute favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. Thank you.

[carpiegrl]

not the best video, but i absolutely LOVE this band, and this song!

[supernaut2112]

I woud like to have seen the origional version of this video before they cut out all of the fire. I'm reading Jakes book right now and the story behind this is awesome.

[orangejellosphere]

Man, this band and song alike ROCK! It's sad Semisonic didn't get farther than they did. Dunno why. Anyway, I like the video regardless, it fits the song really well. Thanks for the upload1

[flashbird9]

Great song, great video. This band should have gone far.

[thenamelessavenger]

as stated before, great tune embaressingly bad video. loooow budget.

[Mooshpups]

I like this song alot.

[spikiter]

Great under-appreciated talent

[rokbom]

one of my favourite semisonic songs. video seems a little rushed though.

[ruij2301]

I love this song, thanks for sharing.

[bigstarcomix]

GREAT song.... bad video.

[benhunt2222]

not their best

[dumburt]

Dan looks like Jim Carrey.

[bigm115]

i like it