In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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
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
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"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. :)
@saranwrap I've been a bit suspicious of the "big part", not the violent though, too much on my skin to ever question that part.
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."
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..
@drgnfx The beginning means that doesn't matter how nice you are to people if they aren't nice back. The bridge is about self love, no matter how shitty things are outside, if you feel great about yourself things don't hurt as bad. On the second verse he's talking about how pointless optimism is in a miserable situation, there's no way to interpret an empty glass as half full, but some people try.<br /> " Take the world upon your shoulders and burn" is a reference to atlas the titan who was tasked of holding the weight of the world on tartarus. Just means that like atlas this person is taking the duty of carrying people's burdens that given to it without questioning and even as a favor.<br /> <br /> And the "violent big and violent" is the world by this person's perspective, big and violent. This person see it's suffering as just the nature of the world regardless of how unusual it's.
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..
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...
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.
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.
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)
half full glasses in empty houses, just makes me think of "positive" people that are left alone and thus a vicious circle.