Tell me how you seek your man
And tell me all your secret spells
Tell me how you learn
To tell by his voice that he fell

I know a ghost will walk through walls
Yet I am just a man still learning how to fall

Try to re-imagine me
And I’ll re-invent myself
Still I remember scenes
Of when you looked at someone else

I know a ghost can walk through the wall
Yet I am just a man still learning how to fall

When you start doubting me
Then I start to doubt myself
And never look through me
Cause I’ll keep close to myself

I know a ghost can walk through the wall
Yet I am just a man still learning how to fall

I am what I am
And what I am is who I am
I know what I know
And all I know is that I fell
If only I could walk through walls
Then maybe I would tell who I was
Yet I am just a man still learning how to fall


Lyrics submitted by Sepulchrave

Falling Man song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    He is still learning how to "fall" in love. He wants her attention but she looks right through him because her expectations are far too great. She wants him to be too many people at once therefor she can look through him like a ghost but he does not have the ability to walk through walls like a ghost. He is still learning how to fall in love

    Fried Ice Creamon July 15, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Really incredible song, the guy's voice is amazing, it might be very strange or even strung out, but he does sing it perfectly and conveys all the pain the fall has brought to him. It's all about depression and the personality crisis usually associated with it.

    alescon March 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    At times his voice does irritate me a little, as it can get off key, but I do think it fits their music. To me I think it could have to do with feeling inept around someone you admire very much so.

    tickingclockon December 10, 2006   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    To me and maybe I'm reading too much into.. but.. It reeks of the Metaphysical.. The protagonist is asking the girl about her contact with the fallen, via her "magic spells" and wants to know how she knows they are who they say they are, just from hearing their voices.. The protagonist is saying "I'm just a man, still learning how to fall" meaning he is not yet as proficient at falling from grace, as a fallen angel would be. Therefore, protagonist does not know - through his own experience - that she is in fact communicating with real, honest to God, fallen angels, which is why he wants to know her magic spells. He knows that "ghosts walk through walls", but that is about the extent of his knowledge, in this area. To me, the overall "Vibe" of the track suggests a metaphysical aspect, to the song. That is my two cents.. What I hear, anyway.. Peace.

    paulocauon November 01, 2017   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is constantly in my head. I'm a cashier and all day at work, I'm just singing the chorus again and again. The customers must think I'm crazy, but this song is just THAT good.

    Sepulchraveon May 02, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    great song i love this albums layers

    pokemostaron April 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    if you dont like his voice, dont listen to it...its really not that difficult. i think his voice works perfectly with the song and he conveys the meaning of the song perfectly

    Drewb18c1on March 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ties in with the album's overall theme of being injured, as Kazu was when she was thrown off the horse -- with much deeper meanings attached, of course

    scrimshawon July 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i would love to be tortured with this song.

    PillarOfSalton November 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    his voice is perfect...it has that blonde redhead feeling to it...no one can imitate...torture away...

    AcidConspiracyon January 25, 2007   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
Step
Ministry
Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
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
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
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
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/