Limo Wreck

Soundgarden

Tears of the feeble
Hands of the slaves
Skin of the mothers
Mouths of the babes
Building the towers
Belongs to the sky
When the whole thing comes crashing down
Don't ask me why
Don't ask me why

Under the shelf
The shelf of the sky
Two eyes, two suns
Too heavenly blinds
Swallowing rivers
Belongs to the sea
When the whole thing washes away
Don't run to me

I'll be going down
For the rest of the slide
While the rest of you harvest the gold
And the wreck of you
Is the death of you all
And the wreck of you is the break and the fall
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the death of you all
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the break and the fall

Under the red break of the lights
Heroes in the stretches
Inch to the site
Blowing the pieces
Belong to the wind
When the whole thing blows away
I won't pretend, no

I'll be going down
For the rest of the ride
While the rest of you harvest the souls

And the wreck of you
Is the death of you all
And the wreck of you
Is the break and the fall
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the death of you all
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the break and the fall

Under the red under the lights
Lies the wreck of you for the rest of your life

And the wreck of you
Is the death of you all
And the wreck of you
Is the break and the fall
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the death of you all
I'm the wreck of you
I'm the break and the fall

While the rest of you harvest the gold
While the rest of you harvest the souls


Lyrics submitted by jt

Limo Wreck Lyrics as written by Chris Cornell Matthew Cameron

Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Peermusic Publishing

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Limo Wreck song meanings
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51 Comments

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  • +4
    General CommentAn obvious jab at America, a country that's obsessed with climbing the corporate latter and blindly following religion. Amazing that this song is from 1993-94 and perhaps relates to the world NOW better than it did when it was written. And everyone said alternative rockers were crazy and didn't know what they were talking about.

    The only thing left to do is have apathy because no one else gives a damn either - unless you become brainwashed too. This is basically what Cornell is trying to say.

    It might sound extremely stubborn, but you have to understand where he's coming from - a world that doesn't care.
    gish05on May 28, 2005   Link
  • +3
    Song Meaningstop with the biblical nonsense what the hell. also you 9/11 people are funny but no.

    TLDR I've listened to this song a million times since I first heard it in ~'97 and it's pretty clear to me it's about dogma and the collective stupidity of people in groups. In a more general sense. Cornell likes to be vague so you can make what you want out of the specifics. it's also a musical and lyrical masterpiece and is badass as fuck. have a nice day.
    Crapsolutelyon December 29, 2016   Link
  • +1
    General CommentIt's more than just solely about the fall of the civilized world, it's about adopting a relative apathy to it. Cornell clearly places himself outside of the events in the lyrics, saying where he'll be when everything happens, then says that he's "the wreck of you ... the death of you all," perhaps signifying that apathy is what will damn the world.

    Also, this would be a rather inappropriate song for 9/11. Even if I was heroically unmoved by the events, the verse...

    "Under the red break of the lights
    Heroes in stretches inch to the site
    Blowing the pieces, belong to the wind
    When the whole thing blows away
    I won't pretend."

    ...doesn't exactly show pride in the nation the way most people would want, though I like the fact he's saying he won't pretend to care.

    Whatever.
    Blind Opiuson August 28, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI forgot to mention that the metaphor of a limo wreck was used to symbolize the fall. The people in the limo are clearly of a fairly high society, and it's clear the song's protagonist doesn't care about the wreck, or the people that died in it. Perhaps it could be related to a story of driving past a wrecked limo in a remote area and feeling like a god, having the power to choose if they live or die, and choosing to let them die.
    Blind Opiuson August 28, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI'm german and love this song. But some lines are not easy to understand for me. It was very interesting to read about what this song means to you, it helps me understand it a lot more. Maybe you coud help me with some questions? What means "Two eyes, two suns, too heavenly blinds"?
    "Heroes in stretches inch to the site
    Blowing the pieces, belong to the wind": What are "stretches"? Why is it "belong to the wind" and not "belongs to the wind"?
    Thanks for helping!
    mcbarton July 25, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis song makes me think that Chris Cornell was the true mastermind behind 9/11, but I really need to not think that. >_>
    The Honest Liaron September 27, 2007   Link
  • +1
    Lyric CorrectionWhen the speaker says "I'm the wreck of you, I'm the death of you all, I'm the wreck of you"
    That next line should read "I'm the break IN the FOLD" where Fold refers to the subscribers of a religion, particularly in Christian circles." In this the speaker is saying that He is does not believe what they believe.
    McChrison July 17, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction"Harvest the fold"
    "For the rest of the slide"-first hook
    "For the rest of the ride"= 2nd hook
    "Heroes and Stretchers" not "stretches" [misinterpretation is due to his accent]
    "Blowing to pieces" [to comes out "ta" [common american slang]


    Hope this clears things up some.
    manofdewon April 26, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThe song is about the New World Order. If you are unfamilliar with the term, I suggest you google it. As well as "Illuminati". Soundgarden wrote about it alot, the song "New Damage" from Badmotorfinger is another example. Before you dismiss it as stupid conspiracy, you should seriously read into it. Cornell doesnt seem like the kind of guy who'd write a bulls*hit song, or who would spend alot of time reading into a bulls*hit conspiracy theory. Oh and since ya'll are sondgarden fans, I'm guessing you dont care for modern "popular music", and Im guessing you all are wonderiring WTF good music like soundgarden is such a rarity these days. google illuminati music industry and it'll make some sense.

    not my intention to sound rediculous or to freak everyone out haha

    peace and love
    jacsmith17on May 29, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My InterpretationYou know, I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this song. I never heard it the way most of you folks have, how I heard it was this:

    The sudden explosion of the music scene out of Seattle brought in a much larger population and materialism. Bigger buildings were built and highways were extended and so forth. I thought that Chris was saying that the grunge movement was responsible for it and that he was essentially apologizing to the citizens of Seattle. But I could be wrong. This is my absolute favorite Soundgarden song. I guess i just heard it differently than all of you lol.
    ExitusDeadlyon July 14, 2013   Link

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