Zurich Is Stained
Pavement Lyrics

The opening lines "I can't sing it strong enough / That kind of strength I just don't have" serve as a disclaimer before the singer delves into the subject matter of the song. It seems like the singer is wrestling with his own limitations as an artist, unable to express himself adequately through song. The second line reinforces this idea - there's a sense of inadequacy and frustration that the singer feels towards his own ability to communicate effectively.

The second verse, "You think it's easy but you're wrong / I'm not 1/2 of the problem / Zurich is stained and it's not my fault / Just hold me back or let me run" is more ambiguous in terms of meaning. The 'you' in the second line could refer to the listener or to someone else entirely. There's a sense of defensiveness here - the singer wants to distance himself from a problem that has stained Zurich. He seems to be asking for permission to either be held back or given the freedom to act as he sees fit.

The final verse is similarly enigmatic, "What does it mean a mistake or two? / If it's the kind of mistake no one can trace / To the fountain where we sold it / And held them hanging." The lyrics are abstract and it's unclear what the singer is referring to. Perhaps it's a metaphor for something else entirely. The fountain mentioned in the last line could be a reference to the Fountain of Youth or to something more sinister. Ultimately, the meaning of the song remains elusive and open to interpretation.