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.
I caught the moon today
Pick it up
And throw it away all right
I got the perfect steal
A cleaner love
With a dirty feel all right
Fallout and take the bait
Eat the fruit
And kiss the snake goodnight
Common ruse, dirty face
Pretty noose is pretty hate
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Let your motor race
Pick it up
And get this mother gone
Out from and far away
The wooden stake
This thing has got me on
Diamond rope, silver chain
Pretty noose is pretty pain
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Common ruse, dirty face
Pretty noose is pretty hate
And I don't care what you got
I don't care what you need
I don't want anything
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Yeah
Pick it up
And throw it away all right
I got the perfect steal
A cleaner love
With a dirty feel all right
Fallout and take the bait
Eat the fruit
And kiss the snake goodnight
Common ruse, dirty face
Pretty noose is pretty hate
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Let your motor race
Pick it up
And get this mother gone
Out from and far away
The wooden stake
This thing has got me on
Diamond rope, silver chain
Pretty noose is pretty pain
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Common ruse, dirty face
Pretty noose is pretty hate
And I don't care what you got
I don't care what you need
I don't want anything
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
And I don't like what you got me hanging from
Yeah
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
According to Cornell, "Pretty Noose" is about "an attractively packaged bad idea...something that seems great at first and then comes back to bite you."
Frank Kozik, the director of the song's music video, interpreted the song as "your average bad-girlfriend experience," an interpretation which Cornell agreed with.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Noose
I definately see the one-sided relationship thing. I think everyone knows that feeling at some point. It's like being trapped in a noose made of your feelings. It's choking you and the other person has the rope in their hands cause when you love someone more than they love you, they always have that control.
And then sometimes you don't even have to love the person more for them to have the control, sometimes they're just evil and conniving hidden under a beautiful mask...hence the pretty noose.
@WinterOnyx I lived this song. Married to an emotional/verbally abusive narcissist ahole for 25 years! No love or affection and control like you've never seen. Bills went to p.o. box he only had the key. Controlled finances. We owned a restaurant for 13 years. His misogynist Dad taught him how to beat the system. He only claimed $200/week. Took cash instead. So if I divorced him, I wouldn't get squat. Three kids and a mortgage, no way I could do it. I worked part time around my kids schedules. I have Ehlers Danlose Syndrome. Had health issues, he hated that. I found his diary, yeah constantly whining and angry. He said "he hated me being sick all the time. He was too selfish to deal with it."<br /> Noose, rack..freakin torture. We got divorced, he got away with so much. $200,000 in baseball memorabilia and coin collections. He packed a uhaul while I was at work. Left me with a mortgage twice what we paid 20 years prior. By the way, I was a self taught architect, survey draftsman, accountant, exec admin. I designed our menu, table tents, monthly mailings and designed a restaurant bookkeeping spreadsheet to do the books! Never went to college. He hated I was more intelligent than him. Like I said Ahole.<br /> I find solace in Chris Cornells music, lyrics and vocals. He was a musical genius who loved melody. Spiritual, kind and intelligent man with vocals that blow my mind.
I would agree with most of the commenters that this is a song about being stuck in a relationship where the woman has control. Nobody has mentioned the sexual imagery though.
The first part is about what was to be a one night stand.
"I caught the moon today Pick it up And throw it away all right" - Moon = piece of ass. Pick it up, throw it away. One night stand.
A cleaner love With a dirty feel all right Fallout and take the bait Eat the fruit And kiss the snake goodnight - She seems innocent enough but just dirty enough to be hot. Eat the fruit (=peach = vagina) Kiss the snake goodnight = BJ
Pretty Noose = the vaginal opening is the same shape of a noose.
Let your motor race Pick it up And get this mother gone - Motor = Libido and its racing. He wants to do her and get out of there because he already knows shes bad news.
Out from and far away The wooden stake This thing has got me on - When he's away from her, even though he knows she's bad for him, his "wooden stake" still wants her and he's essentially bound to the desires of the stake.
Diamond rope silver chain Pretty noose is pretty pain And I don't like What you got me hanging from - As others have pointed out, "Diamond Rope, Silver Chain" sounds like marriage. Its both beautiful and painful to love someone that drives you nuts.
The writer was definitely pussywhipped and had a love/hate relationship with the owner of said pussy
Oh my goodness, I love this song. It came out before I was born, but it is still amazing and I can feel the power. I think it's about a something you see as beauty, that you later find is not quite as beautiful as you think. Much like Eve found the pear in the Garden of Eden beautiful, it was truly wasn't. Hey, does anybody know if Soundgarden is coming back with a new tour?
Pretty noose doesnt refer to the vaginal opening man its just a reference to his girlfriend that is "pretty" and controlling (like a noose)
I thought it might be about being dissattisfied with the record label. They feel they're in a pretty noose? I have no supporting evidence to back this statement up with! Is there any?
A fucking amazing song... one of my favourites... was really hooked on this one for a while
Like sillybilly said. But I wonder if there's a hint of being torn on wanting to leave, even if you could?
It's about a very bad idea that looks good at the time.
By far one of soundgarden's best songs. I think its about someone making it look like they are treating you really good and making your life better...but really the just have you in a "pretty noose."
This one is awesome, this is what you say to someone who put you into a situation that you don't like... "...And I don't like what you got me hanging from"
The intro riff is just fucking sexy in my opinion, dripping with wah and awesomeness.