Ruin
Cat Power Lyrics
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And kept going, kept rolling with nowhere to go
Nowhere to go.
As far as I've seen, from the bush
In the wilderness, to every known city
I've been to Saudi Arabia, dug up Calcutta
So I went to Mozambique, Istanbul, Rio, Rome
Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, Great Britain
Belfast, to the desert, Spain
Some little bitty island in the middle of the Ṗacific
All the way back home, to my town
To my town
Bitching, complaining, yet some people who ain't got shit to eat
Bitching, moaning, so many people you know what they got
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
As far as I've seen, from the bush
In the wilderness, to every known city
I've been to Saudi Arabia, dug up Calcutta
So I went to Mozambique, Istanbul, Rio, Rome
Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, Great Britain
Belfast, to the desert, Spain
Some little bitty island in the middle of the Ṗacific
All the way back home, to my town
To my town
Bitching, complaining, yet some people who ain't got shit to eat
Bitching, moaning, so many people you know what they got
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
What are we doing?
We're sitting on a ruin
In "Ruin," Cat Power sings about her experiences traveling around the world and witnessing the stark contrasts between those who have seemingly everything and those who have nothing at all. The first verse speaks specifically about gypsies who have managed to keep going despite having nowhere to go. The following verses describe the many different places she has been to, ranging from the "bush" to major cities like Istanbul and Rome. Throughout her travels, she mentions seeing people who are complaining about their circumstances despite having much more than those who are truly struggling. Ultimately, the song is a commentary on the state of the world, where many people are living in poverty and desperation while others live in relative luxury and yet fail to appreciate it.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the "ruin" referred to in the repeated chorus is a metaphor for the current state of the world, which is full of societal and environmental decay. The lyric "what are we doing?" suggests a sense of helplessness and despair in the face of these problems. However, the act of traveling and witnessing all of the different places and people in the song also speaks to a sense of hope and connection. It's as though Cat Power is reminding us that there is still plenty of beauty and kindness in the world, even if it is obscured by all of the darkness.
Overall, "Ruin" is a powerful and poetic song that encourages listeners to take a closer look at the world around them and to question their own place in it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen gypsies who made it all the way
I have witnessed wandering people who made it through life's obstacles
And kept going, kept rolling with nowhere to go
They continued moving forward, even when their destinations were unknown
Nowhere to go.
They had no set objectives to attain.
As far as I've seen, from the bush
I have traveled through remote, rural areas
In the wilderness, to every known city
As well as in bustling metropolitan areas too
I've been to Saudi Arabia, dug up Calcutta
I've explored the deserts and poverty-stricken regions
So I went to Mozambique, Istanbul, Rio, Rome
And also in exotic, popular tourist destinations
Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, Great Britain
I've been to diverse countries in different continents
Belfast, to the desert, Spain
In places of differing cultures and political standpoints
Some little bitty island in the middle of the Ṗacific
Even to minuscule, remote islands in the vast ocean
All the way back home, to my town
I traveled back to my hometown
To my town
Returning to the place of origin is starkly different from departing it
Bitching, complaining, yet some people who ain't got shit to eat
People keep whining despite that some experience hunger
Bitching, moaning, so many people you know what they got
Many people complain despite the blessings they were endowed with
What are we doing?
What is the purpose of our actions and existence?
We're sitting on a ruin
We are merely lingering in a deteriorated state of being
What are we doing?
What is the purpose of our actions and existence?
We're sitting on a ruin
We are just stationary in a self-destructive situation
What are we doing?
What is the purpose of our actions and existence?
We're sitting on a ruin
We are only residing in a shattered condition
What are we doing?
What is the purpose of our actions and existence?
We're sitting on a ruin
We're stuck in our own misfortune
Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-yl2rr5cu1g
Sad how sometimes you got no escape in life, suddenly you find a song that can solve it all. We don't need people who support us we need motivation like this song. Loving it!!
@StonerMatt
yep we don't need ANYONE :)
@klemcio9793
I recently discovered Chan, and I must say her music makes me so happy. I started my journey with her music with "Sun"
@pelyphin0
It's that backing piano loop. I literally can't get enough of it. I wish I knew something else like that. Chan and her music are really interesting, too, but that's honestly what keeps bringing me back here.
@adriananghel435
pelyphin0 so true!
@Amba_Aradam
I feel the same while listening Cross Bones Style. It's so simple - either you are obsessed with it, or you feel nothing at all.
@jessicachalkercantlon8387
Love love love. Can never just listen to this once!!
@lostmonkey5162
MY GAD , I finally find it again after 7 years.
( It's hard to find you on internet when "cat" is in your name 😭😭)
@thomasspollen3707
Happy to see Cat doing something with her amazing talent again.
@lowbrowrodeo
Glad to hear she's still got it.