| Neil Young – Don't Let It Bring You Down Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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Castles--old, grand, indestructable, majestic fortifications that were built to withstand generations of attacks and wars and things--are some of the last structures you'd expect to fall. The phrase "it's only castles burning" makes me think of a lot of things--political corruption, immoral wars, social ills, etc.--that come to destroy one's idealism. The phrase also makes me think of the various callous (albeit well-meaning) comments one receives in life after traumatic events, comments that would provoke you to say, "Oh, SURE; easy for you to say. My entire life is crumbling around me, that's all." It's only castles burning; don't mind me. But god knows what Neil was thinking. It's not really crystal-clear, I think. In that song I always picture a barren, cold, urban landscape which makes me think it's a political protest song, typical of that era. Maybe protesting the war abroad and the neglect of the citizens at home, you know... the clueless American public is the blind man who finally sees the horrors (of what the government's doing?), but then, just as he's trying to get everyone else to see the reality, he's silenced. Too little, too late. Even the moon's sinking because it can't handle the depressing truth. And yet there's the call to not "let it bring you down." Which confuses me. The speaker seems like he's living in this chaotic urban world, which makes me think he's referring to social problems, but then he returns to a more personal kind of arena in the chorus. Does he really believe it's possible that "someone" can help you turn things around? What's this "someone" turning to, or turning from? Or is the speaker skeptical of what's prescribed in the chorus? Is he quoting somebody else? (I think if a different song followed this one on the album I would feel more strongly that it was a completely hopeless song, but when "Birds" is on next... do you know what I mean?) |
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| Pixies – I've Been Waiting For You Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| well, this is actually a Neil Young cover, so I don't know if it means much in this context... | |
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