Straight Lines (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Straight Lines


Artist = Silverchair
from Album = Young Modern
Released = Start date|2007|3|20|df=yes
Format = CD single
Digital download
Recorded = 2006
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 4:18
Label =
Producer = Nick Launay
David Bottrill
Daniel Johns
Certification = 2x Platinum (ARIA)
Last single = "Across The Night"
(2003)
This single = "Straight Lines"
(2007)
Next single = "Reflections of a Sound"
(2007)"Straight Lines" is a song by Silverchair. It was released in Australia on 20 March 2007, [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Lines-Silverchair/dp/B000NIVN82|title=Siverchair Straight Lines|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2007-12-07] and debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart. The single was shortly followed by the release of the band's fifth studio album "Young Modern" on 31 March 2007. Unlike the songs written during "Diorama" where Daniel Johns wrote all the tracks himself, "Straight Lines" was co-written by The Presets' Julian Hamilton. On 19 February 2007, it became the band's first Australian number one single since 1997's "Freak". On 2 September 2007, "Straight Lines" was accredited Double Platinum by ARIA, representing combined digital sales and physical shipment of 140,000 singles in Australia, equalling "Tomorrow" as their best selling single. On 28 October 2007, "Straight Lines" won "Best Selling Australian Single" at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007, as well as "Single of the Year". The song was the most played song on Australian radio in 2007. [cite web |url = http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=25&ContentID=54926 |title = Silverchair's Straight Lines rules radio |accessdate = 2008-01-25 |date = 2008-01-18 |publisher = "The West Australian" ] It charted at #2 on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2007. As of January 2008 the single has remained in the top 50 for over 40 weeks.

ong meaning

"Straight Lines" is generally a positive and upbeat song. The song is about feeling alone in the world, but making it through tough times and overcoming them. This is illustrated in the lyrics such as "Lately I'm a desperate believer, but I'm walking in a straight line" and "There's no changing yesterday...everything will be fine". The song's meaning appears to be a biographical comment from lead singer Daniel Johns who fought anorexia, clinical depression and reactive arthritis in the late nineties and early millennium, and was able to beat them. It also appears to be about being content with your place in life, thus walking in a straight line.

Music video

Footage for the video, which fans were invited to appear in, was shot in Sydney. The music video for the single appeared on the official website and released to radio on 2 February 2007. The video for the song also premiered on the day. It features a dynamic band performance that was filmed at the Olympic Park railway station, Sydney by directors Paul Goldman and Alice Bell (the pair behind the acclaimed film "Suburban Mayhem"). The video was awarded "Best Video" at the 2007 ARIA Awards and was a Contender for Best Rock Video at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

Track listing

Australian CD Single (ELEVENCD62)
#"Straight Lines"
#"All Across the World"
#"Sleep All Day" (demo)
#"I Don't Wanna Be the One" (live)

Austalian Promo CD (ELEVENCDPRO62)
#"Straight Lines" (Audio)
#"Straight Lines" (Video):*This version comes in DVD-format Metal box

US Promo CD (X)
#"Straight Lines"

Charts

References