Explodes

Explodes was written by Sergio Pizzorno and is the 8th track on 48:13. Despite not being officially released as a single, it peaked at #52 of the UK single charts.

Background

Explodes is sung by Serge and has been described as being about writing, and "[putting] yourself through the mangle" to get good art. "Anyone who's worked as hard as us to create something," Serge told the NME, "you get to a point where you don't know who you are anymore and you can literally feel your fucking head's gonna cave in." It also contains a part of the music Serge wrote for the G-Star RAW campaign he starred in, which was previously known as We Got You Surrounded. The lyrics paraphrase a famous quote by Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata: "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."

The song was released as an official preview track with the pre-order of the album on 29 April 2014, after having been made available for purchase prematurely in Germany and France.

Cover art in the style of the three existing singles appeared on creative director Aitor Throup's website for a while, suggesting that Explodes might have been considered for a single release.

Live

Explodes has never been performed live.

Releases

• 48:13 CD Album
• 48:13 CD/DVD Album
• 48:13 2x10" Vinyl Album
• 48:13 CD Album (Japan)
• 48:13 Pink Album Promo CD
• 48:13 White Album Promo CD

Lyrics

I barely made it alive
I came incredibly close
Jumped in a swimming pool
It's there I saw my ghost

He said listen up, boy
Now here's the squeeze
You'd rather die on your feet
Than live a life on your knees

On and on it goes
Till my head explodes
On and on it goes
Till my head explodes

I think alone at night
I find it hard to sleep
Reliving memories
I'm sick of counting sheep

I have my bag and baggage
To keep me warm
I zip my coat up tight
As I walk into the storm

On and on it goes
Till my head explodes
On and on it goes
Till my head explodes

On and on it goes
Till my head explodes
On and on it goes
Till my head explodes

I am scared of the dark
It's when I see her the most
Questioning my thoughts
Like a talk show host

So where I go from here
Now entertainment's wrong
Can't let the viewers decide
I know I'm done, I'm done

On and on it goes
Till my head explodes
On and on it goes
Till my head explodes

On and on it goes
Till my head explodes
On and on it goes
Till my head implodes