I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
There is truth beneath the floorboards
there is hope in brick and stone
But they tell me just to shut my mouth
leave well enough alone
But I think maybe all that's needed
is a match and gasoline
because I don't think that any one of them believes that there will be a reckoning
But I will see this city burn
There are still good shepherds scattered
but they're far between and few
And the sheep's skin that the wolves all wear is so thin I see right through
And I think maybe all that's need is some gas and open flame
because I don't think that any one of them believes that fire can erase their names
But I will see this city burn
I said I will see this city burn
We will burn it down and build it again
what was buried in flame
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE
There is truth beneath the floorboards
there is hope in brick and stone
But they tell me just to shut my mouth
leave well enough alone
But I think that maybe all that's needed is some flint and hardened steel
because I don't think that any one of them believes that the revolution's real
We will burn it down and build it again
what was buried in flame
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE
It will burn
there is hope in brick and stone
But they tell me just to shut my mouth
leave well enough alone
But I think maybe all that's needed
is a match and gasoline
because I don't think that any one of them believes that there will be a reckoning
But I will see this city burn
There are still good shepherds scattered
but they're far between and few
And the sheep's skin that the wolves all wear is so thin I see right through
And I think maybe all that's need is some gas and open flame
because I don't think that any one of them believes that fire can erase their names
But I will see this city burn
I said I will see this city burn
We will burn it down and build it again
what was buried in flame
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE
There is truth beneath the floorboards
there is hope in brick and stone
But they tell me just to shut my mouth
leave well enough alone
But I think that maybe all that's needed is some flint and hardened steel
because I don't think that any one of them believes that the revolution's real
We will burn it down and build it again
what was buried in flame
Burn it down and build it again from the bricks that remain
I love this city, but I've set and numbered its days
I love this city, enough that I'll set it ABLAZE
It will burn
Lyrics submitted by WinterKiss
The Arsonist Lyrics as written by Edward Carrington Breckenridge Dustin Michael Kensrue
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Umm... I've looked at their lyrics many many times, and as I previous stated i'm fully aware Dustin pulls from biblical references, and I think that's cool. But not all their songs have religious ties.
I could go on all day on why Thrice isn't a christian band and links to interviews with the band about how they aren't a christian band, but I feel this topic has been beaten to hard so I will only quote one interview (from Riley):
"We're definitely not a Christian band. We've never been into being preachy, never been into spreading any kind of word. It just came from [lead singer Dustin Kensrue] singing about issues that he was having--a lot of those were faith-based. Some people are turned off by that. Then there are a lot of people who are like, not even from a Christian standpoint, [and they say,] 'Dustin's lyrics have helped me start exploring why I'm here, what I'm doing here, justifying my existence and stuff.' I think that's a good thing. I'm not a Christian, and I'm not exactly sure what I believe in. But I do believe in looking for answers and being open to a lot of different things."
Basically, there is no denying that there are many religious beliefs in Dustin's lyrics, but it's his inclusion of the religious content plus things from philosophy, history, life etc. that make Dustin my favorite song writer, he's truly amazing in his ability. But it's that they are not preaching jesus/god and his thoughts on other topics that make Thrice not a christian band, but Dustin speaking out with christian beliefs and fellow band members who are christian and do not aim to preach christianity through their music (I think Riley is the only non-christian, but I may be mistaken).
Now that i've said what i've wanted to get out there i'm done with the topic and am sorry to have brought out the debate everyone knows and hates. (i've gone for years seeing these debates, but never posting my thoughts on the matter so it's kind of just built up and eventually I had to do it... sorry it had to be in the comments of my favorite song on the new album...). But before I go i just want to clear some things up before people get pissed off: i'm a christian, I respect Dustins biblical references, I respect Thrice as a band (they've been my favorite since First Impressions) and I respct the beliefs on this topic from both the christian and non-believer point of view; everyone is entitled to their own opinion.