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The Face Lyrics

Beneath the dance hall lights,
You seem a girl so sour,
Lights up the ground,
If you give up New York,
I'll give you Tennessee,
The only place to be

The cowboy's burning eyes,
Don't like the sight of me
To straight, enough to breathe
I like your point of view,
So don't you shy away

Ride out the wave
Ride out the wave
Ride out the wave

Ride out the wave
Ride out the wave

You had me holding on
Another time and place
Ride out the wave
Carry yourself away
The one and only place

Ride out the wave
Ride out the wave
Ride out the wave
Song Info
Submitted by
llscience On Oct 02, 2010
8 Meanings

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Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

"If you give up New York/I'll give you Tennessee"

an obvious reference to the game of Monopoly.

Song Meaning
Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

this song is amazing, and when he says don't u shy away Caleb rocks i love him

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

This is my favourite on track on this album and still find myself drawn back to it. Just so moving and (in my opinion) by FAR best song on whole album, similar level to previous songs of older albums (all others on this album seem much more forced and missing that same 'magic'?)

Anyway personally think meaning is more simple than just about fience (now wife) think he had seen a girl in the crowd at one of his shows who caught his eye and he fell into the fantasy for a while, but is in such a different place now than few years ago so has a different spin on it, more reflective "another time and place.." etc

When before entire song would've been about the charm/lust over this girl who caught his attention, this song acknowledges it but also that he is in such a content stable place looks at it as calm pov and less volatile.

I think also reason this song is best on the album is because he is so content and settled now with wife (then fiancée) that doesn't have the same primal intense fantasy feelings over situations or girls which make for good song.

Now is just too comfortable settled and content.

Whoever girl was at this concert thank goodness for her! or entire album would've been dull predictable songs.

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

The hook in this song is just so so good. I can see this becoming a huge single for them a la Use Somebody. Just an amazing album. I'm really impressed with Rock these days. The Black Keys and Kings of Leon are taking Rock and Roll to the masses.

"Ride out the wave" Just brilliant vocals.

they realy are the rockers of the rock worl and this song drove me into tears i agree with u tottaly

Well, that's because both aren't your average Rock and Roll bands. They, as well many other bands, are part of the Alternative Rock genre. That is, in fact, how I found this song. I am a music director for my school's radio station and my job is to find Alternative music.

Beautiful song by the way.

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

I feel like in this song he's talking to his fiance... telling her not to shy away from him, ride out the wave of fame, because I'm guessing it's probably intimidating to be in a relationship with a rockstar...

I dunno it's just a guess, because they didn't really talk about it in the interviews yet. such a beautiful song though. definitely makes me tear up.

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

One of my favorite songs on their new album. The drum beats really give this song character, along with the vocals. I think this song pretty much says don't change. Be yourself.

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

I think the Meaning to this song is about himself, It's like a 3rd person view to himself. He was in New York recording/writing this album. I believe he is saying that he misses Tennessee, and that its the only place he wants to be. I hope he isn't referring to him quitting his musical career to go back to what he loves besides music... :(

Cover art for The Face lyrics by Kings of Leon

I think this song is about his fiancee as well. 'The Face'- she's a supermodel and gorgeous. I am sure she is based in New York but he probably wants her to be with him in Tennessee. The second verse, he is definitely talking about himself, and I am sure how he enjoys (or enjoyed drugs)- 'the cowboys burning eyes' like red eyes, 'straight enough to breed'. But then it comes back to her, "I like your point of view, don't shy away, ride out the wave"- just asking her to stick with him and all his issues because he needs her.

I love this song, wish it were written for me! I will go to Tennessee for you any day Caleb! :) haha

I disagree with you. The second verse is more about him going back home. The redneck cowboys don't like the look of him, they don't like the way he dresses etc, he doesn't fit in and he (and the band) are outsiders in their own home town. The phrase ''too straight enough to breed'' suggests that these cowboys who dislike him are so straight that they've gone full circle and breeding is off limits to them because any sexual contact with a female is off limits - they are TOO straight - is their over macho bravado hiding homosexual tendencies?

 
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