The End

In an interview, Caleb said he wrote parts of this song in response to his house being broken into. They were touring in the UK and he got a call that his house was trashed and everything was stolen. They had a show that night, and at sound check, parts of this song came together. "This could be the end," and "I ain't got a home, I'll forever roam," were two of those parts. He knew he had to move from the house that he loved since people knew where he lived. The verses don't seem to fit in with that same story, but that's what the chorus and the last part are about.

a great song i downloaded the end to my ipod first thing i adore this song

I see you in the evening, Sitting on your throne. You're playing with a fireball, And posted up against the wall. I just want to hold you, Take you by your hand. And tell you that you're good enough, Tell you that it's gonna be tough.

can anyone explain these lyrics? whos he talking about and the terms "playing with a fireball" and "posted against the wall"

For me its like addiction.the lyrics about the streetlights and the graves make me imagine the typical spot where someone would do drugs.The fireballs like the power of how dangerous it is.trying to reach out to that person who you love? "I just wana hold you and tell you that its gona be tough" like trying to get through without it. Its like hes singing to people who are lost and under the power of addiction in any shape or form.

From reading about the songwriter's initial inspiration for parts of the song, my interpretation isn't consistent with it. However, feelings from one event can work their way into others. I think the song is about struggles with addiction, life changing catastrophe, and support for loved ones.

First stanza: I often imagine an older male figure, struggling with addiction and nearly facing death from the risks he has taken in his substance use. The writer, hopes to support the person and remind them of better days when the male figure wasn't as deep in and old, a day when they could have changed. In a way, its so the person doesn't lose him or herself.

Chorus: This can signify an actual end or the apprehension of death looming.

Second stanza: I think it signifies a father figure. Leading his home with aggression. As many men do. His throne is where he sits and wastes his life away. His anger is how he tries to control things, in a sense he is praying with a fireball. He wants things to get better but only uses aggression and his anger. He has it posted up against the wall because he has an aggressive ruling presence. The writer would like to reach this person and remind him that he has it in him to change but it won't be easy. Clearly, despite the struggles, the writer cares for this person. It seems like a family member.

Chorus#2: Again, the looming end of life. This time a hint that without this person, home would not be the same.

Stanza #3: Again with living life dangerously and ignoring risks. The troubled person is never filled up. This suggests alcoholism. The good stuff is a reference to drugs. Often alcohol. The writer wants to help the troubled person and others (family) experience the good of the world, even if just a little. It seems the trouble person has not due to his addiction.

Final Chorus: Again, this is the end. The author's home has changed due to some serious life event, or perhaps he could never make it the home he wanted, so he will forever keep trying to make it a stable home, always roaming for it, wandering, actually searching for solutions.

I hope this makes sense. Perhaps not all of the lyrics were parts of the same puzzle but just happened to fit. I'd appreciate feedback. Thanks.

The spirit of a deceased victim of addiction roams the in-between world. He's drawn to people currently struggling with addictions, wishing he could steer them away from the path that lead to his end. This spirit that roams wants to fill the void that the addicted are trying to fill with their vice. The spirit wants to be there when your all alone, thinking about a better day. He wants to hold you and tell you that your good enough; the road to sobriety is going to be tough. He knows the good stuff will never be enough. It will lead to 'the end'. But he's powerless to help, because he roams in the spirit world - he ain't got a home. He will forever roam...

what a great song to start the album.

sooo excited for this new album. finally got my hands on a copy tonight :)

this song is about the end of the kings of leon. Caleb is talking about how tired he is of being on the road and how he is just a wanderer. the distant melody of the lead guitar has alot of the same feel as arizona. i dont think there is any question in what is being said though. clearly a song written on the road when they are missing home. makes me miss home.

IMO this is the best song on the new album. I will have to agree with joco10 about the meaning. Even though I hope to god that it isn't the end for KOL.

I love this song and the album, it has a bit of a religous feel (To me it does) to most of the songs on it, cool.