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Head Rolls Off
Frightened Rabbit Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jesus, is just a Spanish boy's name
How come one man got so much fame?
To any me, it's pointless to anybody
That doesn't have faith
Give me the cloth and I'll wipe my face

When it's all gone, something carries on
And it's not morbid at all
Just when natures had enough of you
When my blood stops, someone else's will not
When my head rolls off, someone else's will turn
And while I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to earth

So you can burn me 'cause we'll all be the same, the same way
Dirt in someone's eyes, cried down the drain
I believe in a house in the clouds
And God's got his dead friends round
He's painted all the walls red to remind them they're all dead

And you know when it's all gone, something carries on
And it's not morbid at all just when natures had enough of you
When my blood stops, someone else's will not
When my head rolls off, someone else's will turn
You can mark my words, I'll make changes to earth
And while I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to earth
Tiny changes to earth, tiny changes to earth
Tiny changes to earth

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song "Jesus, is just a Spanish boy's name, How come one man got so much fame?" offers a bleak commentary on the strange and often inexplicable nature of celebrity in our society. It is almost as if the songwriter is asking us to consider why we place so much value and importance on certain individuals, particularly those who have achieved great notoriety through their religious or cultural significance. The mention of Jesus, in this sense, is a nod to the fact that he has become one of the most celebrated and revered individuals in human history, yet his true identity, particularly as a non-white person, has been largely obscured or distorted over time.


As the song progresses, however, the lyrics begin to take on a more existential and ultimately hopeful tone. The repeated refrain of "When my head rolls off, someone else's will turn" reflects a belief in the cyclical nature of existence and the idea that death is not an end point but rather a continuation of the journey. The notion that "something carries on" even after we are gone underscores the idea that the legacy we leave behind is not just what we accomplish in our lifetimes but also how we impact the lives of those around us. The final lines of the song, "While I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to earth", suggests that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant actions we take can have a ripple effect that extends beyond our individual lifetimes.


Overall, "Head Rolls Off" is a powerful and contemplative song that addresses some of the most fundamental questions about human existence and the nature of our place in the world. By exploring themes of mortality, legacy, and the cyclical nature of life, Frightened Rabbit encourages us to think deeply about the impact we have on others and the world around us, and to strive to make those tiny changes that can ultimately add up to something meaningful.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, is just a Spanish boy's name
The name 'Jesus' is just a label assigned to an individual, and is not inherently meaningful.


How come one man got so much fame?
It is perplexing how a single individual can achieve tremendous fame and recognition compared to the rest of the population.


To any me, it's pointless to anybody That doesn't have faith
Having faith is necessary for finding any purpose or meaning in life, but those without faith may struggle to find value in individual existence.


Give me the cloth and I'll wipe my face
I can take care of my own problems and do not need external assistance.


When it's all gone, something carries on And it's not morbid at all
After death, something persists beyond individual existence, and this thought is not inherently depressing or morbid.


Just when natures had enough of you
Death comes when nature has determined that an individual's time has come to an end.


When my blood stops, someone else's will not
Individuals come and go, but the cycle of life continues in others who come after us.


When my head rolls off, someone else's will turn
Even after an individual passes away and their body decomposes, there will be new life that emerges and replaces their role in the world.


And while I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to earth
While alive, one has the ability to make small yet meaningful differences in the world.


So you can burn me 'cause we'll all be the same, the same way Dirt in someone's eyes, cried down the drain
After death, all individuals are equal and the physical body is reduced to ashes, dirt, and water that will eventually dissipate and lose its former identity.


I believe in a house in the clouds And God's got his dead friends round He's painted all the walls red to remind them they're all dead
The songwriter believes in an afterlife where one's loved ones and all the deceased coexist in a heavenly dwelling, but they are reminded of their past life and mortality once they enter the house.


You can mark my words, I'll make changes to earth
The artist is determined to make meaningful contributions and leave a lasting impact on the world in their lifetime.


And while I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to earth Tiny changes to earth, tiny changes to earth Tiny changes to earth
The singer reiterates their commitment to making small yet impactful changes to the world, emphasizing the importance of making progress in any way possible.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Grant David Hutchison, Scott John Hutchison, David Kennedy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@DaveK548

It’s 2022 and you’re still as relevant as you always have been, Scott. Your legacy is your music, and it’s timeless. This video is perfect. When Scott first sings “something carries on” and the children then enter the room… wow. Perfect.

@pinatacolada7986

I've just stumbled across this music video. Love it, now I'm learning the bitter sweet back story. Fascinating.

@Jabberwok28

This is one of my favorite songs ever. I had the good fortune of seeing these guys live in NYC before he did himself. This song breaks my heart every time I hear it. RIP.

@interludejones

Your changes were bigger than you could've ever imagined, man. Thank you.

@captainfutility1

<3

@noshoesorsocks1

🧡

@michaelfedorsha8147

Yes indeed!!!

@charlottecomfort2446

Has it really been three years? 😔 Scott you are missed ✨💕

@ken.nethandthepinch7090

That day you guys came to my son’s class, and I go and give him a mullet:), we still talk about that day, and that haircut and listen to the band, thinking about our friends, now on the other side of the world, and appreciate what you guys did, the work you have put out since,and the sadness felt around the globe at the loss of a talented, kind man.
Forever in our hearts, X

@TrixieDevani

Mate, this is wonderful! Of course it's when you give him a mullet!!! Happy New Year!!

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