A self-taught musician, Macdonald began by playing her father's guitar after being inspired by Travis at the T in the Park Festival in 2000, where she heard Travis' song "Turn" and wanted to play it herself. She started performing in pubs and coffee houses around Glasgow at the age of 15. She signed a record deal with Vertigo, the same record label which hosts The Killers and Razorlight. Her first single, Poison Prince, was released on May 7, 2007. Her debut album, This Is the Life, was released on July 30, 2007. "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released in March 2010 as the lead single from her second studio album, A Curious Thing, which was released on 8 March 2010.
Macdonald's third album, Life in a Beautiful Light, was released on June 11, 2012. The lead single, Slow It Down, is about her being a petrol head.
The Rise & Fall
Amy Macdonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don′t rely on the trust of men
Remember how it used to be?
People helping those in need
And good guys always finish last
Power corrupts and good turns bad
Remember how I used to be?
The rise and fall
I never thought it through at all
Held onto the power too long
Forsaken all the friends I know
All of this is just a game
I don't give a damn or change
Deep, deep down, we′re all the same
Money, power, glory, fame
And reaching out to hear the truth
No matter what it does to you
Secrets hid in every drawer
But no one knows what we're hiding for
The rise and fall
I never thought it through at all
Held onto the power too long
Forsaken all the friends I know
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
And together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
The rise and fall
I never thought it through at all
Held onto the power too long
Forsaken all the friends I know
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
And together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
Together we rise and united we fall
In "The Rise & Fall," Amy Macdonald reflects on the inevitable cycle of power and how it often leads to corruption and the abandonment of moral values. The song starts with a reminder that everything eventually comes to an end and urges the listener not to rely on the trust of men. Macdonald then reminisces about a time when people would help those in need, highlighting the decay of that altruistic spirit.
The lyrics emphasize the notion that good guys always seem to finish last, as power tends to corrupt individuals and turn them away from their original intentions. Macdonald acknowledges that she herself has fallen victim to this pattern, having held onto power for too long and forsaken her friends in the process.
She then delves into the idea that everything is just a game, where individuals chase money, power, glory, and fame without caring about the consequences or changing their ways. The song challenges the listener to seek the truth regardless of the personal consequences, as secrets are hidden behind closed doors, leaving society unaware of what lies beneath the surface.
Towards the end of the song, Macdonald introduces the theme of unity and collective action. She suggests that only by coming together can individuals rise above their individual falls. The repetition of the final lines, "Together we rise and united we fall," reinforces the idea that unity is the key to overcoming the destructive power dynamics that pervade society.
Overall, "The Rise & Fall" serves as a critique of the corrupting influence of power and a call for unity and solidarity in the face of inevitable falls.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything must come to an end
All things, whether good or bad, eventually reach a conclusion
Don't rely on the trust of men
Do not depend solely on the trustworthiness of others
Remember how it used to be?
Recall the past and reflect on how things have changed
People helping those in need
In the past, individuals would assist those who required help
And good guys always finish last
Those who uphold moral principles often end up being disadvantaged
Power corrupts and good turns bad
Having authority can lead to moral decay and positive qualities becoming negative
Remember how I used to be?
Recall my previous character and actions
Always helping those in need
Consistently offering assistance to those who require it
The rise and fall
The cycle of success followed by decline
I never thought it through at all
I did not consider the consequences of my actions
Held onto the power too long
I clung onto authority for an extended period
Forsaken all the friends I know
I abandoned the friendships I had
All of this is just a game
Life and its pursuits are mere entertainment or competition
I don't give a damn or change
I do not care or alter my behavior
Deep, deep down, we're all the same
At our core, we share common characteristics
Money, power, glory, fame
The pursuit of wealth, authority, admiration, and recognition
And reaching out to hear the truth
Making an effort to uncover or listen to the truth
No matter what it does to you
Regardless of the impact it may have on you
Secrets hid in every drawer
Hidden secrets are present in various aspects of life
But no one knows what we're hiding for
The reasons for our hidden secrets remain unknown to others
Together we rise and united we fall
By working together, we can achieve success but also experience failure
And together we rise and united we fall
Continuing the idea of collective action and shared outcomes
Writer(s): Amy Elizabeth Macdonald, James Christopher Alex Sims, Benjamin George Parker
Contributed by Grace E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.