Question Everything
8stops7 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ever since I was a child
You always said that I should understand the rules
You take some and give less
Sit high above the rest...don't you

As I ask a simple question
Cuts me off with his reply
He's been practicing for decades
Now he thinks I have the time
He flows in and out of riddles
Looking me straight in the eye
But it seems like something's missing
From the days when he was more my size

[Chorus:]
Ten years older and I've finally found my pride
This old man comes rolling home to die
Old feelings make it hard to decide
Just what it means to me

Everything exists 'tween black and white
You can twist and distort the most blatant of lies




Or just offer up solutions
Practiced only in your mind

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, the singer is reflecting on his or her relationship with someone who has always expected compliance with the rules. The singer takes issue with this manner of control and, upon questioning this person, finds that he dismisses their inquiry. The person has become confident in their ability to manipulate communication and thoughts through riddles, but the singer longs for the time when they were more transparent.


The chorus speaks of the singer finding their pride as they've grown older, which is juxtaposed with the old man mentioned in the lyrics who is returning home to die. This contrast is a reflection of the conflict within the singer, who is questioning everything and struggling to come to a definitive answer. The final lines suggest that there are always gray areas that are often muddied further by the actions and choices of individuals.


Line by Line Meaning

Ever since I was a child
From my early years, ever since childhood


You always said that I should understand the rules
You always emphasized on following the set of rules


You take some and give less
You're selective and stingy with your offerings


Sit high above the rest...don't you
You hold yourself superior to others


As I ask a simple question
When I inquire something ordinary


Cuts me off with his reply
Interrupts my words with his response


He's been practicing for decades
He's built his expertise over a long time


Now he thinks I have the time
Assumes I've the patience to listen


He flows in and out of riddles
He speaks in confusing language


Looking me straight in the eye
Making eye contact


But it seems like something's missing
It feels incomplete somehow


From the days when he was more my size
From the times when we didn't have an age gap


[Chorus:]
The chorus of the song


Ten years older and I've finally found my pride
I'm a decade mature now and confident about myself


This old man comes rolling home to die
This aged person returns home for his final days


Old feelings make it hard to decide
Past emotions make it difficult for me to make a choice


Just what it means to me
What it exactly signifies to me


Everything exists 'tween black and white
The truth lies in between the two extremes


You can twist and distort the most blatant of lies
One can manipulate even the plainest lies


Or just offer up solutions
Alternatively, one can propose remedies


Practiced only in your mind
That one has only thought about it in theory




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM POWELL, ALEX VIVEROS, EVAN SULA-GOFF, SETH WATSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@zandrokos

I have been homeless off and on for the past few years but I am in a stable situation now finally. I just signed up to help out at a homeless shelter on Christmas day. No one should ever have to go through this.

@thomaszeppa1407

My Dad was dying of kidney failure and I kept thinking of this song. Love you Dad.

@joshuaseaton4526

Still one of the greatest songs that many never heard.

@robertwilliams8352

Most definitely the lyrics are simply amazing and captivating!

@zandrokos

I heard it on the tv show Roswell.

@user-hm3mk8tb9m

when would your words ever push anyone away, Im still trying to listen to you 30 years later. Fillmore Ksaty

@MartyinTucson

I remember sitting on a porch in Camarillo around 1998 while Evan was writing this song.

I remember hearing the line "this old man comes rolling home to die" for the first time, and I knew the song was going to be amazing.

It was a crazy time in my life, and seems like it was more than the almost 20 years ago that it is.

8Stops7's music defines an era for me.

@user-zx1ir7jt4c

So you knew the singer personally?

@MartyinTucson

@@user-zx1ir7jt4c - I did the two versions of the artwork for the "Birth of a Cynic" album. Scott Council (sp?) did the photography and I did the layout, the colorization of a black and white photo, and a lot of photoshop work, I believe, seaming some photos together and adding in some elements. Somewhere, I have both versions of the album, I think. But the posters were lost years ago. Neil Zlowzower (sp?) shot the photos for the posters, I think.

Evan, Sula-Goff (sp?) was the lead vocalist and songwriter, I think, on all of the songs. Nice guy. The guys in the band were awesome.

It's been years.

@emilieyount9932

Same, Marty. Same.

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