[Instrumental]


Lyrics submitted by toolmusik

Sysyphus (Part 1) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

8 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    yo. what cd is this on?

    fnghon August 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yo, i'm listening to it on ummagumma disc 2 (studio disc)

    tere_tulemaston August 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is song is so strange. It reminds me of being home alone on a stormy night, when things around you come alive...

    Zenxlowon February 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about Sysyphus, a man in the underworld condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for all eternity. Every time the boulder reaches the top, it rolls back down.

    The music to part one represents Sysyphus beginning to roll the ball up the hill. This music is returned to in part four, signifying that he has to start all over again.

    inpraiseoffollyon April 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its a sad song about a guy who masterbates while driving his trucks, he sees all his ex wifes while doing this and then he rolls a turd up a hill and everytime he gets to the top he farts and lets another turd out which rolls to the bottom and he starts again - or so I heard

    riotpackon July 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    riotpack?!.....no. while u may have the general concept you couldnt be more wrong or disgusting.

    ralph2869on September 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Part 1 is just one part looped over and over again which supports the Greek myth of Sisyphus (tiny spelling difference).

    TheDarkSideoftheMooon August 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    But surely the spelling difference must exist for a reason? Maybe?

    pezdelon February 18, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.