The actors and jesters are here
The stage is in darkness and clear
For raising the curtain
And no-ones quite certain whose play it is
How long ago, how long
If only we had listened in.
If we'd known just how right we were going to be.
For we dreamed a lot
And we schemed a lot
And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart.

If everyone was listening you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall

Well, what is your costume today?
Who are the props in your play?
You're acting a part which you thought from the start
Was an honest one.
Well how do you plead?
An actor indeed!
Go re-learn your lines,
You don't know what you've done
The finales begun.

If everyone was listening you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.


Lyrics submitted by Philosophy, edited by sokorny

If Everyone Was Listening song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think the whole album is loosely based around the life of one man living (and wasting) his life. I believe this song is about that man dying. His life is coming to an end, and he knows it and he is scared.

    Stingfanon November 16, 2007   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I think this song is about idealistic liberal artists, who tried to change the world through their artwork, but failed when the movement collapsed (both because no one was truly listening and because the movement fell apart from the inside out). This was written in the early 70s, around the same time that Hunter Thompson was writing about the collapse of the populist hippie movement - they "tried to sing of love" until the stage fell apart, either dying of overdose or succumbing to hedonism, nihilism, and/or capitalism. Using the theatre as a metaphor could also be a reference to earlier Bohemian movements.

    Dreamer has a similar theme, but a much lighter tone. I'm not sure the CotC is a concept album per say, but there are definitely some recurring and interrelated ideas. I like the take by bookends as well, I think that message is there - they compliment the potential of singing of love, lament the fact that people aren't/weren't truly listening, and criticize the artists for failing to see their own role in the downfall of their movement.

    As an aside, I have to say that this is a great song off a truly classic album - a timeless masterpiece, I say.

    McManuson July 19, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I always thought that Crime of the Century was a concept album in a way. About a man who grows up and loses a few marbles along the way and is convicted of a crime and in the end he pays dearly due to everyone's mistakes.

    leegeddyfanon January 02, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It seems relevant today with the concerns about the environment especially man-made climate change, 'if everyone was listening, there'd be a chance that we could save the show'.

    IntravenusDeMiloon September 27, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    This song was a representation of the state of the band at that time. Their benefactor (Sam), who had paid for everything including European tours and through two unsuccessful albums, had moved on. The band was broke and their contract only gave them one more chance.

    Those were dark times for the lads, who were starting to doubt whether or not what they had was good enough ('How do you plead, an actor indeed! Go re-learn your lines!)

    They put everything they had on the line to make 'Crime of the Century'. Fortunately, it paid off, but there was no guarantee it would. I think this was Roger's curtain call, his last song if things didn't take off, and his plea of 'don't let the curtain fall' was hoping for another chance.

    ctlizyrdon September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about how humanity is playing a play...

    ''There raising the curtain, and no-one's quite certain whose play it is'' Well its the play of life...

    Choose your role... Good or bad... Big or Small...

    I think the last clown represents the final decieving...Like the 666, or whoever will give the earth the last blow...

    Plz dont let the curtain fall... Start thinking and listening

    The play isnt gooing anywhere and we can change it, but no one is listening...

    bookends_smileon February 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is life in general. We all take on the project or community as if we were the brightest; the answer to it all. So we plunge ahead with an ill advised plan because in our arrogance we are certain we are the smartest. In America we cannot listen or work together . Each party uses dirty tricks and deception to undermine the work of the other party. It is sickening. When will we ever reach across the isle? Half of the country can't be stupid. We need each other; need to listen now.

    Gnich40on May 04, 2017   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    Thank you to you 8 people who answered before me. We can debate whether CRIME is a concept album or not. Isn't that the best concept? One you have to debate its mere existence? What I am sure the 9 of us will agree that this gem of an album has a flow to it. It is even bookended with the wailing harmonica. Even if this is a Rick song and the track that follows it is a Roger song , it serves as the perfect setup for the closer. Like Mariano in the 8th before Wetland in the 9th. ( and I hate the Yankees). This song to me talks about regret and dread. Crime of the Century ( the song) is consequence , finality and the realization that WE are guilty. The blame is not out there. It is within. If everyone was listening seems to be the initial realization that maybe it is too late. The next track is the total realization that yes we could not stop the momentum and now live with the consequences. I believe we have to treat at least these 2 tracks together.

    ed10733811on January 14, 2020   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Been years since anyone commented on this. I just want to say once in a while, albums, songs, and lyrics are created with something in mind, but also to leave interpretation to the listener. The songs means whatever it means to you, the listener.

    I agree mostly with combining the last two tracks for better meaning, but also you really need to include :"Rudy" and "Asylum" in the prior order. Just those 4 songs really place the album in the right spot for interpretation.

    We all are actors, we all wear masks, and we all deceive each other every day to succeed. Who will be the winner?

    greywolf8053on August 04, 2022   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation

    From reading the lyrics over and over, and those on the entire album I felt this song was about how we could stop nuclear war from happening if we would just listen. "Who will be the last Clown to bring the house down" and "Don't let the Curtain Fall" to me sounds like "which country will be foolish enough to use nuclear weapons, that may lead to our end." and "don't let this happen"

    AlanCRossion July 27, 2012   Link

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