“The first time we drove into New York we were all crammed in a tiny rental car. We came out of the Lincoln Tunnel and 'You Will Leave a Mark' was playing on the radio,” A Silent Film vocalist/pianist Robert Stevenson says, recalling hearing his group’s career-opening single scoring a powerful moment of its inaugural 2010 U.S. tour. The Oxford quartet had just released its debut of epic and ambiently anthemic indie rock, The City That Sleeps, on Bieler Bros. Records, a Florida-based indie with an incongruously niche heavy rock profile. Despite the curious association, A Silent Film had an impressive American welcome. The group became the longest charting band on Sirius XM’s Alt 18 Countdown, shifted 200K downloads as iTunes’ Discovery Download, and sold 75K digital singles.
“Never in my dreams could I imagine the songs I wrote in my bedroom as someone else's soundtrack to the skyline of New York City. It was only three and a half minutes but it opened my eyes to the greater possibilities of sharing our music,” Robert says. The American tour was a transformative experience for A Silent Film and the group decided to relocate to Arizona and record their sophomore album in the rustic environs of the West. The band’s latest, Sand & Snow, released June 5th, 2012 is a snapshot of the fevered creativity inspired by an impulsive tryst with Americana. “Jack Kerouac and Bob Dylan are massive inspirations to me. I felt like I always had a kinship with America; as soon as I could experience it, and I didn’t have to read it in a book anymore, I needed it for writing,” Robert says of the creative necessity of the move. “Previously I had written everything in Oxford, but as soon as I saw America, it changed my process; I wanted to live and breathe it.”
In addition to Robert Stevenson, A Silent Film is rounded out by Karl Bareham (guitar), Ali Hussain (bass) and Spencer Walker (drums). A Silent Film formed in 2005 and has garnered favorable comparisons to Coldplay, The Killers, and Snow Patrol. Its new offering is aligned with its formative poetic and expansive pop-rock aesthetic but there is a freshly confident depth and distinction evident in the writing. Sand & Snow is searchingly hopeful with emotive hooks and romantically purposeful lyrics.
You Will Leave a Mark
A Silent Film Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am so ashamed of all the trouble I have caused
I am so ashamed of all these unopened doors
I am so ashamed of what I have become
That oh, my heart is bursting again
Don't leave this mark
Your eyes are turning away
I am of the west,
I am fair skinned I deserve a bullet in my chest
If I have no religion I've no reason to be scared
I am going to hell but I just don't care
That oh, my heart is bursting again
Don't leave this mark
Your eyes are turning away
That oh, my heart is bursting again
Don't leave this mark
Your eyes are turning away
The lyrics of A Silent Film's song "You Will Leave A Mark" tell a powerful story of shame, sin, and regret. The opening lines, "I am so ashamed, I am so ashamed of all the trouble I have caused" express a deep sense of guilt and remorse for the singer's past actions. The repetition of "I am so ashamed" emphasizes the intensifying feeling of regret and highlights the singer's awareness of the harm they have caused.
The next line, "I am so ashamed of all these unopened doors" suggests that the singer is aware of missed opportunities or paths not taken, adding to their sense of regret. The line "I am so ashamed of what I have become" reveals that the singer is struggling with their own identity and the person they have become. The chorus "That oh, my heart is bursting again, don't leave this mark, your eyes are turning away" seems to express a plea to someone, perhaps a loved one or a higher power, to not judge them too harshly for their actions and to not turn away from them in disgust or disappointment.
The following lines continue the theme of sin and regret, with the singer stating, "I am of the west, I am fair skinned, I deserve a bullet in my chest". These lines suggest that the singer may be struggling with their own sense of privilege or guilt over systemic oppression. The phrase "If I have no religion I've no reason to be scared" suggests that the singer may be questioning their own beliefs and grappling with the fear of eternal consequences for their actions. The final line "I am going to hell but I just don't care" expresses an almost nihilistic attitude towards life, as though the singer has given up on trying to do better and is resigned to their fate.
Overall, "You Will Leave A Mark" paints a vivid picture of shame, guilt, sin, and regret, with the singer struggling to come to terms with their past mistakes and the person they have become. The song's powerful lyrics are matched by the intense and emotionally charged music, making for a truly stirring listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I am so ashamed,
I feel immense guilt and humiliation,
I am so ashamed of all the trouble I have caused
I feel regret for the problems I've created,
I am so ashamed of all these unopened doors
I feel remorseful for missed opportunities and potential,
I am so ashamed of what I have become
I am saddened by the person I have evolved into,
That oh, my heart is bursting again
I am overwhelmed by emotions,
Don't leave this mark
Please do not let me have a negative impact on you,
Your eyes are turning away
I sense you are distancing yourself from me,
I am of the west,
I am geographically from the western region,
I am fair skinned I deserve a bullet in my chest
I am acknowledging white privilege and injustices I may have contributed to,
If I have no religion I’ve no reason to be scared
Without the security of faith, there is a lack of certainty,
I am going to hell but I just don't care
I have disregarded consequences and have grown apathetic toward them,
Contributed by Noah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wayne Neal
The first time I ever heard this I was stocking shelves at GNC around 7p in 2011. I'll never forget it because stopped what I was doing, and cried. I'm black, and that second verse touched me with it's brutal honesty. This is the one song that makes me cry when I'm happy, and smile when I'm sad. Fucking great song.
Edward Thompson
@WaneNeal that's an absolutely wonderful way to put it. The first thing that came to my mind was "beautiful" when I read your words "I'm black, and that second verse touched me with it's brutal honesty. This is the one song that makes me cry when I'm happy, and smile when I'm sad."
James
That's beautiful, Wayne.
WereWolf Alpha-Playa
Finally found THIS the tune has been haunting me for years but I couldn't remember the name or the lyrics just the sound. ❤️💯🙏 I'm glad I found it again and I LOVE IT!!
Edward Thompson
SAME. JUST TODAY. JUST NOW. Have been on the hunt for it for like 6 or 7 YEARS, looking though "liked" song playlists on multiple platforms for HOURS. Glad we found it again.
joe leoni
I love this song. When me and my girl started dating, it brought us closer because we both were in love with it. I think the lyrics are really transcendent too which gives it a personal feeling. There are Goose bumps all over me right now as I'm typing this lol.
Eric Wilson
'humiliated'
Nina Zankurova
I have never heard of this band before.....but the minute I heard them....I knew that they'll be one of my favorite bands o__o <3
Eric Wilson
'humiliated'
foreverthea ii
This is the anthem of my life.❤️😭 Whenever I'm crying/depressed I listen to it. Even when I'm fine.
I just love it.