This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I want to stand up, I want to let go
You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
I want to shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out, yeah
You know you got to help me out, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
(Time, truth and hearts)
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I want to stand up, I want to let go
You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
I want to shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out, yeah
You know you got to help me out, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
(Time, truth and hearts)
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
Lyrics submitted by K-nuxXx, edited by phoebe9261, ARampaginWalrus
All These Things That I've Done Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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This is a song about a person who has a ton of passion but no direction. He wants to do something and has strong beliefs but for some reason he can't get off his ass because he's feels like he's being pulled in too many different directions. He's got soul (passion) but not a soldier (does not join the fight). He feels like time is running out and people are giving up on him. I like the fact that they titled the song "All these things that I have done" yet all he talks about in the song is what he wants to do. He's all talk, no action. A great song along the same lines as this one is Ocean Size by Jane's Addiction. "I wanna be more like the ocean, no talking man all action"
i'm thinking something along the lines of religion as well. it seems like someone finding religion again after losing faith in it for awhile and becoming embittered by life.
When there's nowhere else to run Is there room for one more son One more son If you can hold on If you can hold on, hold on
He's at the end of his rope here and he's trying to re-connect with god in a moment of despair and desperation (kinda like how when we all get in deep shit we go "please god just do this one thing and i'll be good i promise", even if we might not mean it), hence the "is there room for one more son?" Then he's just telling himself to hang in there and keep having faith even if things aren't getting better.
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
Again he's angsting about how miserable his life is, how he wants to either let go of life or religion. He doubts if anyone (even god) can relate to his problems, hence "you know...no you don't." The next couple lines are basically saying how he always aspired to so much more than he turned out and about how life is crappy in general for everyone.
Help me out Yeah, you know you got to help me out Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner You know you got to help me out, yeah
I think here he's addressing god again, asking Him not to just to sit back and let bad things happen.
These changes ain't changing me The cold-hearted boy I used to be
I think these lines refer to how he's trying to turn things around in his life and that he's not proud of the things he's done in the past (either being an asshole or losing his religion or both).
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
This is my favorite part. It's just so powerful--especially when the choir joins in. Going with the religious theme, this could refer to how he's not a "soldier of god" ie he's never been very religious, or just how he has never been what society considers a "heroic, righteous" type in his life, but that even so he still matters, and he still wants to be a good man.
Overall i would say this song is about redemption and second chances. organized religion has always made me uneasy, but the whole "re-connecting with god" theme was what jumped out at me most.
This song is indeed about a spiritual crisis, and what brideonfire writes about is accurate about the basic attitude of the singer and what they're reflecting about. It's also explicitly Christian.
"One more Son" refers to Jesus, the Son of God.
"when there's nowhere else to run / is there room for one more son?" is asking if someone who feels like they're out of options has room for Jesus in their heart.
"shine on in the hearts of men" is a Biblical reference ("For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Cor.4). There's also a phrase that is translated similarly in more modern translations of the Bible in Matthew 5:16 where Jesus is preaching for his followers to shine in the hearts of others.
Going down this path, "back of my broken hand" can easily be taken to be Jesus' hand, broken by the nail of the Crucifixion.
"don't put me on the backburner" is suggesting one will get lost if you're ignoring Jesus, and if you do, "you're gonna bring yourself down" i.e. become lost.
"over and out, last call for sin" refers to Armageddon. During the Second Coming, the only people who are left are unrepentant sinners (lost), then the battle is won - "while everyone's lost, the battle is won". Even despite the sins ("all these things that I've done") you still win if you've kept the faith ("if you can hold on").
I agree with brideonfire's readings of the "cold-hearted boy" and "I got soul but I'm not a soldier" lines - that the singer isn't a soldier of the Church but still has belief in something that he's trying to sort out.
"time, truth, and hearts" is a reference to Psalm 69, verse 13. Psalm 69 is plea for help to God from a repentant sinner. The story arc of Psalm 69 is very similar to the arc of "All These Things That I've Done." One of the claims at the end is that the sinner will praise God in song.
nice connections!<br /> but i don't get how "time, truth, and hearts" relates to that verse...?
This song isn't about god. Everyone thinks that if a song can somehow connect to the bible, than it MUST be about the bible. The songs pretty cutthroat. The songs about being in a relationship with someone that expects too much out of you but you don't know what those expectations are because they won't tell you. "I need direction to perfection.." he's saying he needs that person to tell him what they want him to do to meet those expectations. " don't you put me on the backburner" here he's saying don't just put our problems aside and think things will just get better, you need to tell him what's wrong because he can't read your mind. "you're gonna bring yourself down" here he's saying literally you're gonna bring yourself down because you're expecting things out of him that he's unaware about... And if he's not aware about your expectations than chances are it's not going to happen
I think this is a plea to God for help…he feels that he’s don’t wrong and his life isn’t turning out the way he hoped….he’s not the person he wants to be and he wants help…theres kind of a desperate feel to this song. He’s kind of making a statement about life…he wants to be remembered for being a good man. This song is awesome! Brandon’s lyric ability is amazing, go the killers!! What are others opinions on this?
Reading this, I totally agree.<br /> It fits the redemption factor of the song, it's about a guy who's live a hard life of pain and regret. He's made bad decisions and just wants to stand up and let go, move on and do something actually 'good' in his life.<br /> <br /> He's desperate to change his life so much that (even though he might really believe) he's willing to seek help from something higher then himself (god?)<br /> <br /> When there's nowhere else to run<br /> Is there room for one more son<br /> One more son<br /> If you can hold on<br /> If you can hold on, hold on<br /> <br /> If I can't find anyone else to help? can you? <br /> <br /> I wanna stand up, I wanna let go<br /> You know, you know - no you don't, you don't<br /> I wanna shine on in the hearts of men<br /> I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand<br /> <br /> I want to drop all the horrible things that have happened, you can't understand it.. I want to be known for the good I've struggled with.<br /> <br /> Another head aches, another heart breaks<br /> I am so much older than I can take<br /> And my affection, well it comes and goes<br /> I need direction to perfection, no no no no<br /> <br /> He feels as though he has caused so much trouble and ache that he feels it's far too much. <br /> <br /> I always heard the affection part sounded like reflection, if i'm wrong i'm wrong but it kind've made sense, either way. It's like he doesn't know who or what he is, he can't feel the same all the time, he wants direction to a good life that wown't conflict with his past.<br /> <br /> I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier<br /> <br /> He's got the soul to change to do something, but he lacks the drive/ability to do something about it and he needs help.<br /> <br /> <br /> Over and out, last call for sin<br /> While everyone's lost, the battle is won<br /> With all these things that I've done<br /> All these things that I've done<br /> (Time, truth and hearts)<br /> If you can hold on<br /> If you can hold on <br /> <br /> This is his last chance, if he can hold on, he can win the battle and feel better after it all.<br /> <br />
I think this song is about a man who keeps breaking up with people and breaking their hearts, not because he's a bad person, but because there's a limit to how much he can feel. I know this seems like a stretch at first, and sort of a panzy interpretation.. However, everything fits with this theme, for me anyways.. and I think some of the lines are brilliant.
When there's nowhere else to run Is there room for one more son One more son If you can hold on If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out Yeah, you know you got to help me out Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner You know you got to help me out, yeah
-This might seem like he’s making a plea to someone else to not ignore him, and help him out. But I don’t think that’s it. I think this is his problem, his inability to get close to person, to become emotionally connected on a deeper level… making the plea. In other words, he’s making a plea to himself, saying not to ignore the problem anymore.
And when there's nowhere else to run Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner You know you got to help me out, yeah You're gonna bring yourself down Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier (x10)
(Time, truth and hearts)
Over and out, last call for sin While everyone's lost, the battle is won With all these things that I've done All these things that I've done (Time, truth and hearts) If you can hold on If you can hold on
@oxejin <br /> <br /> " 'And when there's nowhere else to run<br /> Is there room for one more son?'<br /> <br />
To me, this song has always been about struggling to find your place in the world and finally achieving success ("the battle is won with all these things that I've done") I'll try to give my interpretation to every verse:
"When there's nowhere else to run Is there room for one more son One more son If you can hold on If you can hold on, hold on"
The author is trying to find his place in the world, since we only have this world and "there's nowhere else to run".
"I want to stand up, I want to let go You know, you know - no you don't, you don't I want to shine on in the hearts of men I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand"
He wishes to be happy, forget the failures he's been through and actually get to do something he'll be remembered for ("shine on in the hearts of men"). He wants to find a purpose for his hard work (->"broken hand") but he feels useless, like he'll never do anything worth remembering, in the end.
"Another head aches, another heart breaks I am so much older than I can take And my affection, well it comes and goes I need direction to perfection, no no no no Help me out! Yeah you know you've got to help me out Yeah oh don't you put me on a backburner"
He starts to feel bad, he's anxious, he feels like there's not enough time to realize his dreams, that's why he can't stand how old he's already got. He's so disappointed at life and downhearted that he sometimes can't even feel affection for anyone or anything, and he wishes someone could help him. He's also afraid to be forgotten and "put on the backburner", he wants his chance to shine.
"And when there's nowhere else to run Is there room for one more son These changes ain't changing me The cold-hearted boy I used to be"
Well, there's not much to explain here, actually :D Though the world changes he still stays the same, a "cold hearted" person, maybe also 'cause he doesn't trust much other people and he feels misunderstood around them.
"I got soul, but I'm not a soldier"
I believe it's a way to say "I have a lot to offer inside of me, I want to stand out of the crowd and finally be able to be myself and do something great, but I don't think I'm strong enough to achieve success". Now, the only words I couldn't adjust in this interpretation were "Last call for sin. While everyone's lost..." And then there's "Time, Truth, Hearts" that, I believe, are the things you need to get to your goal. "Truth" because you have to be true to who you are, I guess.
I don't know, I've always identified myself in this song, basically 'cause I'm just 16 and I don't know where I'll end up yet. :) And there are times in which I already feel the pressure of time flowing, and my life gets slowly shorter and shorter... Someday, I hope I'll "win my battle", too :D
Anyway, I hope my contribution will be useful, sorry for any possible mistakes, since I am Italian I'm not that good at expressing myself in English. :)
@LGamgee wow. You were 16 when writing this? Pretty incredible insight, for any age. The lyrics can definitely be scene this way, and lived this way. I for one, lament every day all the things I’ve done. <br /> Beautiful job, hoping your doing well and using that talent.
This song can be interpreted in many ways, but the way I interpret it is the way that I believe Brandon Flowers meant for it to be. Brandon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormons. In the Mormon faith there is the option for worthy young men to serve on a mission, which is to preach the gospel to various regions of the world. Brandon however did not serve a mission, from unworthiness or from choice, and regrets that decision. When it says is there room for one more son he is implying about life after death. The song portrays how many people feel about sin and forgiveness, he feels as if all these things he has done will prevent him from returning to his father in heaven. Also, by saying that "I want to shine in the hearts of man," further concludes the interpretation that this is about a mission, seeing as the prophet of the church has said "go forth and shine in the hearts of men" whilst talking about missions. In addition to that, later in the song it keeps repeating "I got soul but I'm not a soldier." That statement right there is implying that Brandon does indeed believe in the Mormon religion, but he could not get himself to go forth and serve a mission, as a soldier of God. Perhaps this is entirely wrong, but this is my interpretation of the song... Maybe it is because this is applying to my life right now. I am currently deciding on whether or not to serve a mission. And listening to this song makes me want to go.
I've read somewhere that that's exactly what this song is about :) I mostly wanted to comment to wish you luck in your decision about whether or not to go on a mission, I'm sure you will end up being happy with whatever you decide.
I don't know if you'll ever read this buddy, but I hope you go. It's taken me three years of wondering if i should go or not, trying to commit to becoming worthy. I figured maybe it wasn't in the cards for me, perhaps I oughta just stay and get married or finish school or whatever. But i know for sure now that I gotta go, I'm sure your Father would be pleased if you did too. Best of luck man.
I am quite the science and math nerd, and interpreting art has always been difficult for me. But the first time I heard this song I knew it was just amazing and had such a deeper meaning than the rest of the mess out there.
Anyways, my favorite books to read are war-based fiction. Examples include All Quiet on the Western Front and A Farewell to Arms. So when I heard this song it imediately made me think of all of the war books I have read over the years.
War is a horrible experience, especially if you are a soldier out there on the front doing all of the dangerous work. The soldier can't run away from the war, although he really wants to(when there's no where else to run). He desperately desires to go home to his family, since all of the boys on the front are sons of their parents sitting at home waiting their arrival(is there room for one more son). He is trying to hold on to his sanity and be able to cope with the troubles of war. He wants to get up and leave(I want to stand up, I want to let go), and everyone on the home front doesn't know the troubles he is experiencing and can't fully interpret his hardships(you know no you don't)The soldier wants to do something honorable(I want to shine on in the hearts of men), and all of his pains and ailments aren't going to stop him(back of my broken hand)
the head aches and heart breaks are associated with pains from injuries due to war and the death of fellow soldiers. he feels that he has been forced to grow up fast because of being thrown into the war(i'm so much older than I can take) . Also it is hard for the soldier to love anymore, because on the front all you know is to destroy(and my affection, well it comes and goes) the soldier calls to God for help through this period(i need direction to perfection)
the help me out chorus is a plea to God to see the soldier through this painful period in his life. He doesn't want God to forget about his life and how important it is to the soldier(don't you put me on the back burner)
the soldier is now being defiant, say that "these changes ain't changing me, the gold-hearted boy I used to be" say that something so destructive and filled with hate like war isn't going to take the love and passion out of his heart.
the "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" means the soldier isn't a boy filled with love and desires the secular aspects of life that normal people have, not plauged by the destruction of war. He feels that he is unfit to be a soldier fighting for a cause he doesn't believe in.
the soldier knows his life is on the line, and he could die any moment and won't be able to kill more people in the war which he feels is for the wrong reasons (over and in, last call for sin) the soldier realizes that all war is is hate and destruction(when everybody's lost, the battle is won) and he realizes that he has participated in this horrific act (with all these things that I've done) "if you can hold on" is a plea for the soldier to try and grasp on to life, not to give up and die. maybe if the soldier can remain sane and persevere through such a hard period in his life, he can make it through the war and back home wear he wants to be
By the way this has nothing to do with the war in Iraq, just any war period. Like I said this is just my interpretation, and I absolutely love how this song can morph into so many meanings to so many different people.
Well,I definitely agree with your interpretion! I think that a soldier's role is so ambivalent. He need to engage in the war to hurt the enemies, but he can not hide his love for all human beings. Especially this lyric shows this:'I wanna show on .... broken hand'. He can kill many people in a war inoder to be honored a medal or something, but what is the true meaning behind his behaviour when he hurt other people and hurt himself (a broken hand) at the same time?
<br /> So in summary you're wrong and likely a dumb yank.
THis song makes me so happy i can't belive it. I'll play it and i'll just wanna dance and sing along its just an amazing feeling and i love this cd and the killers i just love them so much there my favorite band EVER!!
So it's actually "gold-hearted boy" FWIW.