I think all the opinions of this song are taking the song way too literally. If you know anything about Chris Cornell, his bout with heroin was his monkey on his back, and the "Burden In His Hand". He refers to the object of his addiction, (heroin), as "her", but that doesn't mean it is a woman or female creature.
Below is a copy of the lyrics, and my interpretation. As a songwriter, lyricist and producer of 40 years, I have a good understanding of where the pain of many artists come to write about... and remember, this was in the days of the "Seattle Grunge Invasion", where most of the big musicians were into heroin. (Layne Staley, Kurt Cobain, others):
+++++++
"Follow me into the desert
As thirsty as you are
Crack a smile and cut your mouth
And drown in alcohol"
---- he's asking you to follow his story of desperation regarding his addiction, his "desert". If you "smile" you "cut" your mouth because the smile is fake. You are desperate too. Drowning in alcohol is only the legal "painkiller" you can buy freely, which is why the 30% of the world population can be considered alcoholics. Drowning in booze is just another path to self destruction he knows he's on, and his "go to" solution if he can't find his heroin fix. He never admitted to using "heroin" and made his comments about his addictions strictly about "alcohol", but this song was released after his friend Kurt Cobain committed suicide, and Layne Staley overdosed, along with several other close friends he saw dropping due to addictions.
"'Cause down below the truth is lying
Beneath the riverbed
So quench yourself and drink the water
That flows below her head
----the "riverbed" is the source of Life, and below that, even if the riverbed is dry, you can dig "below" for water and find "truth", but there is a "lie, a deceit" that "flows below her head". What is the first big hint at what the song is in this phrase, "her head" --it means the tip of the syringe needle. He's saying you think you'll find satisfaction and relief in heroin. You think you're drinking water of "truth", but notice it's "below her head". Who is "her"? Heroin. Also, take notice that the "truth" is "BENEATH" the riverbed. It's not the real water flowing in the riverbed, its the dried up riverbed that forces you to dig to find release to your emotional pain. -----
"Oh no there she goes
Out in the sunshine
The sun is mine, sun is mine
----- I am shooting up, the day is not rainy because I'm high and the "sun is mine"... said TWICE.
"I shot my love today
Would you cry for me
I lost my head again
Would you lie for me
--- then he actually states he "shot" (shoot up) his "love" (heroin or other drug). Will you cry for him and his lack of control, and spiral to these depths of self-destruction? He lost his head, and if you were his friend or "hanger-on", would you "lie" for him?
"Close your eyes and bow your head
I need a little sympathy
'Cause fear is strong and love's for everyone
Who isn't me
---- "close your eyes" to his addictions, his failures, bow your head and say a prayer for him because he "needs a little sympathy". His fear is strong, and he thinks everyone else gets love that "isn't him".
"Kill your health and kill yourself
And kill everything you love
And if you live you can fall to pieces
And suffer with my ghost
---- If you follow his path, you will "kill your health and kill yourself and kill everything you love". If you "live", you will still "fall to pieces" and suffer with his own "ghost", predicting his own death, and if you're on his same path of self destruction, you will "suffer" with the memory of him dying, regardless of his rockstar status, he died unhappy, addicted, and his addictions will be his "ghost" following you.
I shot my love today
Would you cry for me
I lost my head again
Would you lie for me
I left her in the sand
Just a burden in my hand
I lost my head again
Would you cry for me
Just a burden in my hand
Just an anchor on my heart
It's just a tumor in my head
And I'm in the dark
----- "Just a burden in my hand" is his bottle, his syringe, his simple drugs he can fit in his "hand". It's an anchor on his heart because he doesn't want to be addicted (he's now sober). He looked at his addiction as a "tumor in his head" and that he was in the "dark" about it.
So follow me into the desert
As desperate as you are
Where the moon is glued
To a picture of heaven
And all the little pigs have God
----- He's daring you to follow him into his "desert" (his desolation of addiction), as "desperate as you are" (he's relating to the pain that lures you into self-medicating with alcohol and illicit drugs). The "moon", described symbolically as a portal to a fake "heaven", and that all the people who worship money, success, fame, and beyond that, the conservative mindset of those who "judge" those addicts for their lack of strength or ability to fight off their demons by going to church, praying to God, yet still living a materialistic "piggish" life. (That's not hard to connect if you look at conservatives, how they use Jesus as their frontman, yet do nothing that Jesus would do. Be religious, and you can be as rich as Mitt Romney)
Oh no there she goes
Out in the sunshine
The sun is mine, the sun is mine
I shot my love today
Would you cry for me, yeah
I lost my head again
Would you lie for me
I left her in the sand
Just a burden in my hand
I lost my head again
Would you cry for me
Would you cry for me
--- this last line "I left her in the sand" means he beat his addictions, they were just a "burden" in his hand. Now he's sober and having to deal with his demons without medication, booze, so the pain could be greater, but either way, would you cry for Chris Cornell?
Would you cry for yourself?
Chris Cornell is a prophet in the same realm as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.
I created an account just so I could reply. I think you are spot on. Your analysis of this song is the best so far. I certainly heard within the lyrics an allusion to addiction. From my point of view, this song could be from me to my mother, who has been an alcoholic all my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I created an account just so I could reply. I think you are spot on. Your analysis of this song is the best so far. I certainly heard within the lyrics an allusion to addiction. From my point of view, this song could be from me to my mother, who has been an alcoholic all my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I am inclined to agree. I love how people want to suppose that the meaning of songs such as this should be so direct and superficial. And of course, the artist(s) are going to tell you exactly what a song like this is supposed to be about. As if, if it were meant to be suggestive of, or about, heroin/intravenous drug abuse/addiction (and it is) they are going to come right out and say so.
I am inclined to agree. I love how people want to suppose that the meaning of songs such as this should be so direct and superficial. And of course, the artist(s) are going to tell you exactly what a song like this is supposed to be about. As if, if it were meant to be suggestive of, or about, heroin/intravenous drug abuse/addiction (and it is) they are going to come right out and say so.
No. That's not how it works (Lucy in the Sky, anyone?). The whole song is wrought with metaphor and it works very well.
But dare to ask yourself if a man who just shot his wife, left her body in the desert, and actually feels guilty about it would beckon: "Would you cry for me?, Would you cry for ME?"... "I need a little sympathy".
"I shot my love today, would you cry for ME?"
Well, why should we? You just murdered your wife; shouldn't we be crying for HER? Doesn't make much sense, unless his "love" is actually a very powerful drug delivered via syringe. Then it begins to make perfect sense. Ask a heroin addict in the midst of their addiction what their 'true love' is: what do they love more than anything in the world? the answer shouldn't surprise you.
@varangianguard I just remembered how much I liked this song, thanks for the interpretation, I feel this is more of a song about drug issues, than a love song, but Chris certainly wasn't always clear about his intents with lyrics. Thanks for the post though!.
@varangianguard I just remembered how much I liked this song, thanks for the interpretation, I feel this is more of a song about drug issues, than a love song, but Chris certainly wasn't always clear about his intents with lyrics. Thanks for the post though!.
@varangianguard
Unlike most of Chris's songs with their layers of either metaphorical allusions or aesthetic strings of pleasing or interesting word flows, this song is exactly what it sounds like:
A desperate man killed his love.
@varangianguard
Unlike most of Chris's songs with their layers of either metaphorical allusions or aesthetic strings of pleasing or interesting word flows, this song is exactly what it sounds like:
A desperate man killed his love.
@varangianguard I like and agree with your interpretation up until your explanation for the very last line. Considering this song was written in 96, and since he's held Christian, apolitical beliefs throughout most of his life, I highly doubt Chris was attempting a political/religious cheap shot.
@varangianguard I like and agree with your interpretation up until your explanation for the very last line. Considering this song was written in 96, and since he's held Christian, apolitical beliefs throughout most of his life, I highly doubt Chris was attempting a political/religious cheap shot.
The addicts, or "little piggies" (animals that will consume anything and are symbolic of self-indulgence), are ultimately consumed by their addictions. They have their brief high, or their "god," so to speak. Or their addiction ultimately leads to their end indicating that they will meet and have God to answer to.
I love how in today's world a Liberal (religious or otherwise) can be morally superior to a religious Conservative on the grounds that one has too much money for the other's liking, especially when the Conservative speaks out against drug use, or "judges," too much. But as long as you're one of the Liberal elite, you can claim to be religious, have as much damn money and drugs as you want and judge people and their lifestyles (of which you probably know nothing about) freely without repercussion. In fact, the dishonest media will praise you endlessly. Just don't be a rich, religious Conservative or you're a hypocrite. So says my misinterpretation of both your beliefs and the teachings of your Central Figure. Spare me.
@varangianguard I have had several group discussions through the years regarding many Chris Cornell lyrics, and for this song...everyone was in agreement that he was referencing addiction to heroin. I feel your interpretation was right on the money and articulated beautifully. For those who are saying that the lyrics mean exactly what he is saying...and those who are asking why would he not just say the addiction references directly....Chris Cornell was a songwriting GENIUS...a master 'poet'...and as poets go, the really great ones never say it straight. The poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost is not...
@varangianguard I have had several group discussions through the years regarding many Chris Cornell lyrics, and for this song...everyone was in agreement that he was referencing addiction to heroin. I feel your interpretation was right on the money and articulated beautifully. For those who are saying that the lyrics mean exactly what he is saying...and those who are asking why would he not just say the addiction references directly....Chris Cornell was a songwriting GENIUS...a master 'poet'...and as poets go, the really great ones never say it straight. The poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost is not at all about 2 tree lined dirt paths, it is a metaphor for paths chosen in life. It is ART at its finest...to say a thing without outwardly saying it. And just like a a great painter, the artist does have an emotion in mind as he expresses himself on the canvas...but he wants you to get from it what you 'feel' it is. He will always know what emotions and thoughts created it, but is thrilled to know that his work has brought about ANY emotions, ANY connection to his deep, self-expression. Enjoy it for your interpretation. For me personally, I feel it is a gift to learn what the artist was thinking when he created his masterpiece, be it a painting, the written word or musical sound, because it helps me feel more connected to it. So I thank you, varangianguard for your insight...and I can still respect others views who find another way to connect to it. Either way...it is a beautiful thing! = }
I think all the opinions of this song are taking the song way too literally. If you know anything about Chris Cornell, his bout with heroin was his monkey on his back, and the "Burden In His Hand". He refers to the object of his addiction, (heroin), as "her", but that doesn't mean it is a woman or female creature.
Below is a copy of the lyrics, and my interpretation. As a songwriter, lyricist and producer of 40 years, I have a good understanding of where the pain of many artists come to write about... and remember, this was in the days of the "Seattle Grunge Invasion", where most of the big musicians were into heroin. (Layne Staley, Kurt Cobain, others): +++++++
"Follow me into the desert As thirsty as you are Crack a smile and cut your mouth And drown in alcohol"
---- he's asking you to follow his story of desperation regarding his addiction, his "desert". If you "smile" you "cut" your mouth because the smile is fake. You are desperate too. Drowning in alcohol is only the legal "painkiller" you can buy freely, which is why the 30% of the world population can be considered alcoholics. Drowning in booze is just another path to self destruction he knows he's on, and his "go to" solution if he can't find his heroin fix. He never admitted to using "heroin" and made his comments about his addictions strictly about "alcohol", but this song was released after his friend Kurt Cobain committed suicide, and Layne Staley overdosed, along with several other close friends he saw dropping due to addictions.
"'Cause down below the truth is lying Beneath the riverbed So quench yourself and drink the water That flows below her head
----the "riverbed" is the source of Life, and below that, even if the riverbed is dry, you can dig "below" for water and find "truth", but there is a "lie, a deceit" that "flows below her head". What is the first big hint at what the song is in this phrase, "her head" --it means the tip of the syringe needle. He's saying you think you'll find satisfaction and relief in heroin. You think you're drinking water of "truth", but notice it's "below her head". Who is "her"? Heroin. Also, take notice that the "truth" is "BENEATH" the riverbed. It's not the real water flowing in the riverbed, its the dried up riverbed that forces you to dig to find release to your emotional pain. -----
"Oh no there she goes Out in the sunshine The sun is mine, sun is mine ----- I am shooting up, the day is not rainy because I'm high and the "sun is mine"... said TWICE.
"I shot my love today Would you cry for me I lost my head again Would you lie for me
--- then he actually states he "shot" (shoot up) his "love" (heroin or other drug). Will you cry for him and his lack of control, and spiral to these depths of self-destruction? He lost his head, and if you were his friend or "hanger-on", would you "lie" for him?
"Close your eyes and bow your head I need a little sympathy 'Cause fear is strong and love's for everyone Who isn't me
---- "close your eyes" to his addictions, his failures, bow your head and say a prayer for him because he "needs a little sympathy". His fear is strong, and he thinks everyone else gets love that "isn't him".
"Kill your health and kill yourself And kill everything you love And if you live you can fall to pieces And suffer with my ghost
---- If you follow his path, you will "kill your health and kill yourself and kill everything you love". If you "live", you will still "fall to pieces" and suffer with his own "ghost", predicting his own death, and if you're on his same path of self destruction, you will "suffer" with the memory of him dying, regardless of his rockstar status, he died unhappy, addicted, and his addictions will be his "ghost" following you.
I shot my love today Would you cry for me I lost my head again Would you lie for me
I left her in the sand Just a burden in my hand I lost my head again Would you cry for me
Just a burden in my hand Just an anchor on my heart It's just a tumor in my head And I'm in the dark
----- "Just a burden in my hand" is his bottle, his syringe, his simple drugs he can fit in his "hand". It's an anchor on his heart because he doesn't want to be addicted (he's now sober). He looked at his addiction as a "tumor in his head" and that he was in the "dark" about it.
So follow me into the desert As desperate as you are Where the moon is glued To a picture of heaven And all the little pigs have God
----- He's daring you to follow him into his "desert" (his desolation of addiction), as "desperate as you are" (he's relating to the pain that lures you into self-medicating with alcohol and illicit drugs). The "moon", described symbolically as a portal to a fake "heaven", and that all the people who worship money, success, fame, and beyond that, the conservative mindset of those who "judge" those addicts for their lack of strength or ability to fight off their demons by going to church, praying to God, yet still living a materialistic "piggish" life. (That's not hard to connect if you look at conservatives, how they use Jesus as their frontman, yet do nothing that Jesus would do. Be religious, and you can be as rich as Mitt Romney)
Oh no there she goes Out in the sunshine The sun is mine, the sun is mine
I shot my love today Would you cry for me, yeah I lost my head again Would you lie for me
I left her in the sand Just a burden in my hand I lost my head again Would you cry for me Would you cry for me
--- this last line "I left her in the sand" means he beat his addictions, they were just a "burden" in his hand. Now he's sober and having to deal with his demons without medication, booze, so the pain could be greater, but either way, would you cry for Chris Cornell?
Would you cry for yourself?
Chris Cornell is a prophet in the same realm as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.
I created an account just so I could reply. I think you are spot on. Your analysis of this song is the best so far. I certainly heard within the lyrics an allusion to addiction. From my point of view, this song could be from me to my mother, who has been an alcoholic all my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I created an account just so I could reply. I think you are spot on. Your analysis of this song is the best so far. I certainly heard within the lyrics an allusion to addiction. From my point of view, this song could be from me to my mother, who has been an alcoholic all my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@varangianguard
@varangianguard
I am inclined to agree. I love how people want to suppose that the meaning of songs such as this should be so direct and superficial. And of course, the artist(s) are going to tell you exactly what a song like this is supposed to be about. As if, if it were meant to be suggestive of, or about, heroin/intravenous drug abuse/addiction (and it is) they are going to come right out and say so.
I am inclined to agree. I love how people want to suppose that the meaning of songs such as this should be so direct and superficial. And of course, the artist(s) are going to tell you exactly what a song like this is supposed to be about. As if, if it were meant to be suggestive of, or about, heroin/intravenous drug abuse/addiction (and it is) they are going to come right out and say so.
No. That's not how it works (Lucy in the Sky, anyone?). The whole song is wrought with metaphor and it works very well.
But dare to ask yourself if a man who just shot his wife, left her body in the desert, and actually feels guilty about it would beckon: "Would you cry for me?, Would you cry for ME?"... "I need a little sympathy".
"I shot my love today, would you cry for ME?"
Well, why should we? You just murdered your wife; shouldn't we be crying for HER? Doesn't make much sense, unless his "love" is actually a very powerful drug delivered via syringe. Then it begins to make perfect sense. Ask a heroin addict in the midst of their addiction what their 'true love' is: what do they love more than anything in the world? the answer shouldn't surprise you.
@varangianguard I just remembered how much I liked this song, thanks for the interpretation, I feel this is more of a song about drug issues, than a love song, but Chris certainly wasn't always clear about his intents with lyrics. Thanks for the post though!.
@varangianguard I just remembered how much I liked this song, thanks for the interpretation, I feel this is more of a song about drug issues, than a love song, but Chris certainly wasn't always clear about his intents with lyrics. Thanks for the post though!.
@varangianguard Unlike most of Chris's songs with their layers of either metaphorical allusions or aesthetic strings of pleasing or interesting word flows, this song is exactly what it sounds like: A desperate man killed his love.
@varangianguard Unlike most of Chris's songs with their layers of either metaphorical allusions or aesthetic strings of pleasing or interesting word flows, this song is exactly what it sounds like: A desperate man killed his love.
@varangianguard I like and agree with your interpretation up until your explanation for the very last line. Considering this song was written in 96, and since he's held Christian, apolitical beliefs throughout most of his life, I highly doubt Chris was attempting a political/religious cheap shot.
@varangianguard I like and agree with your interpretation up until your explanation for the very last line. Considering this song was written in 96, and since he's held Christian, apolitical beliefs throughout most of his life, I highly doubt Chris was attempting a political/religious cheap shot.
The addicts, or "little piggies" (animals that will consume anything and are symbolic of self-indulgence), are ultimately consumed by their addictions. They have their brief high, or their "god," so to speak. Or their addiction ultimately leads to their end indicating that they will meet and have God to answer to.
I love how in today's world a Liberal (religious or otherwise) can be morally superior to a religious Conservative on the grounds that one has too much money for the other's liking, especially when the Conservative speaks out against drug use, or "judges," too much. But as long as you're one of the Liberal elite, you can claim to be religious, have as much damn money and drugs as you want and judge people and their lifestyles (of which you probably know nothing about) freely without repercussion. In fact, the dishonest media will praise you endlessly. Just don't be a rich, religious Conservative or you're a hypocrite. So says my misinterpretation of both your beliefs and the teachings of your Central Figure. Spare me.
@varangianguard I have had several group discussions through the years regarding many Chris Cornell lyrics, and for this song...everyone was in agreement that he was referencing addiction to heroin. I feel your interpretation was right on the money and articulated beautifully. For those who are saying that the lyrics mean exactly what he is saying...and those who are asking why would he not just say the addiction references directly....Chris Cornell was a songwriting GENIUS...a master 'poet'...and as poets go, the really great ones never say it straight. The poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost is not...
@varangianguard I have had several group discussions through the years regarding many Chris Cornell lyrics, and for this song...everyone was in agreement that he was referencing addiction to heroin. I feel your interpretation was right on the money and articulated beautifully. For those who are saying that the lyrics mean exactly what he is saying...and those who are asking why would he not just say the addiction references directly....Chris Cornell was a songwriting GENIUS...a master 'poet'...and as poets go, the really great ones never say it straight. The poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost is not at all about 2 tree lined dirt paths, it is a metaphor for paths chosen in life. It is ART at its finest...to say a thing without outwardly saying it. And just like a a great painter, the artist does have an emotion in mind as he expresses himself on the canvas...but he wants you to get from it what you 'feel' it is. He will always know what emotions and thoughts created it, but is thrilled to know that his work has brought about ANY emotions, ANY connection to his deep, self-expression. Enjoy it for your interpretation. For me personally, I feel it is a gift to learn what the artist was thinking when he created his masterpiece, be it a painting, the written word or musical sound, because it helps me feel more connected to it. So I thank you, varangianguard for your insight...and I can still respect others views who find another way to connect to it. Either way...it is a beautiful thing! = }
@varangianguard Absolutely a perfect an analysis!
@varangianguard Absolutely a perfect an analysis!
@varangianguard I'm years late but this is really well done. Went a little political there though..haha.
@varangianguard I'm years late but this is really well done. Went a little political there though..haha.