All the bridges in the world won't save you
If there is no other side to cross to

When you're not feeling ugly
The world's not too much

Take the world upon your shoulders
Take the world upon your shoulders
And burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Take the world upon your shoulders

Half full glasses
Lost in empty houses

When you're not feeling nothing
The world's not too much

Take the world upon your shoulders
Take the world upon your shoulders
And burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Take the world upon your shoulders

Violent, big and violent
You're like a thing that's big and violent
A world that's big and violent

When you're not feeling nothing
The world's not too much

Take the world upon your shoulders
Take the world upon your shoulders
And burn, burn, burn, burn, burn
Take the world upon your shoulders
Take the world upon your shoulders
Take the world upon your shoulders


Lyrics submitted by shenki

World Upon Your Shoulders Lyrics as written by Daniel Johns

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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World Upon Your Shoulders song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    "Violent, big and violent Like a thing that's big, big And violent"

    That has to be my favourite lyric ever! It's so simple and stupid, it's actually deep.

    And yeah, drgnfx...after he says the big and violent stuff, he says "a world that's big and violent" on the cd. :)

    saranwrapon August 27, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    World Upon Your Shoulders

    Half-full glasses lost in empty houses

    Remember all those personality tests?

    "Is the glass half-empty or half-full?" If you answered "half-full," that supposedly means you're optimistic. But then again, if you visualize houses as empty, you're supposed to be a bit on the anti-social side.

    I relate this lyric to Daniel's decision to focus on positive things (especially when he's writing songs). I think he was able to do so, in general. But maybe there were times when he found it hard to maintain that focus, hence "lost in empty houses."

    dearest_helplesson June 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In the beginning i believe daniel is sending the message that no matter what you do you can't always depend on certain others/things to get by in life. There are things that you can't get around, no back doors. Later i think he's just saying taht when things aren't so bad in life just go for it and do what makes you happy and dont' hold back. "half full galsses lost in empty houses" ...even postive mindset people are lost. something like that. whats big and violent? the world perhaps? help me out guys..

    drgnfxon August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In the beginning i believe daniel is sending the message that no matter what you do you can't always depend on certain others/things to get by in life. There are things that you can't get around, no back doors. Later i think he's just saying taht when things aren't so bad in life just go for it and do what makes you happy and dont' hold back. "half full galsses lost in empty houses" ...even postive mindset people are lost. something like that. whats big and violent? the world perhaps? help me out guys..

    drgnfxon August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Not that I don't like the new style, but I liked their old style a LOT better... Frogstomp was such a good CD... what happened? These guys just pulled a complete 180...

    eeyore1883on September 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    diversifying can be a dangerous thing. :)

    love the song - has helped me through difficult times - don't bother with anything at all, you gotta get out there an do it yourself.

    phreak_on_a_leashon October 14, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    My take on it is when you feel programmed to be depressed. When you're world isn't ugly and you're actually feeling somewhat good about yourself you tend to look for reasons to be depressed "taking the world upon your shoulders" and it becomes a habit.

    californiaroseon May 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah i'm starting to relate to daniel's lyrics i mean i've always been a pretty big silverchair fan i think daniel's a really good bloke i think his parents probably loved him alot and gave him the strength to believe in himself...he really sort of knows how to give you the fuck u when you're trying to be something you're not. he really values being an individual even if it makes you whatever, like he's not antisocial but he just happens to like being himself. i think he's a rare individuall;.. my true self is actually a lot less liked than the fake self i've been putting out there to be a good citizen like, always helping people,. i don't know if i can do that, as like, a regular part of my life. i kinda feel like a freak when i let down other's expectations and because of that i can relate to lyrics (not of this song especially. just silverchair in general)

    c. t. voskvindton November 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    half full glasses in empty houses, just makes me think of "positive" people that are left alone and thus a vicious circle.

    Mystical_nighton July 07, 2009   Link

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