Audioslave released three successful albums, received three Grammy nominations, sold more than eight million records worldwide, and became the first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. Cornell issued a statement in February 2007 that he was permanently leaving the band "due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences." As the other three members were busy with the Rage Against the Machine reunion, and Morello and Cornell had each released solo albums in 2007, Audioslave was officially disbanded.
Discography
2002 Audioslave
2005 Out of Exile
2006 Revelations
Lay Your Burden Down
Audioslave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was of the mind
To lay your burden down
And leave you where you stood
And you believed I could
You'd seen it done before
I could read your thoughts
And tell you what you saw
But now all that is gone
Over with and done
Never to return
And I can tell you why
People die alone
I can tell you I'm
A shadow on the sun
Staring at the loss
Looking for the cause
And never really sure
Nothing but a hole
To live without a soul
And nothing to be learned
And I can tell you why
People go insane
I can show you how
You could do the same
I can tell you why
The end will never come
I can tell you I'm
A shadow on the sun
Shapes of every size
Move behind my eyes
Doors inside my head
Bolted from within
Every drop of flame
Lights a candle in
Memory of the one
Who lived inside my skin
And I can tell you why
People go insane
I can show you how
You could do the same
I can tell you why
The end will never come
I can tell you I'm
The shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Shadow on the sun
Sun
Sun
"Lay Your Burden Down" by Audioslave is a song with deep insights about the struggles of life and the complexity of human existence. The verse "Once upon a time I was of the mind, to lay your burden down and leave you where you stood" refers to a time when the singer was willing to bear his loved ones' burdens and stand by them no matter what. However, something has changed, and he now realizes that he cannot do what he once could, as the line "never to return" suggests.
The chorus "People die alone, I can tell you I'm a shadow on the sun" suggests that the singer is going through a dark phase, and he feels isolated and disconnected from the world. The second verse delves deeper into the singer's psyche and suggests that he is struggling to find meaning in life. He is staring at a loss, looking for the cause but never really sure. It's like living without a soul and nothing to be learned.
In essence, the song lays bare the emotions of an individual struggling with life's challenges, trying to make sense of the world. The lyrics are powerful and poignant, inviting the listener to reflect on their existence and the impermanence of life itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
There was a point in the past
I was of the mind
I had a mindset
To lay your burden down
To relieve you of your troubles
And leave you where you stood
Without offering guidance or support
And you believed I could
You trusted me
You'd seen it done before
You had prior experience
I could read your thoughts
I was perceptive
And tell you what you saw
I had a good grasp of your perspective
And never say a word
I didn't need to speak to communicate
But now all that is gone
However, things have changed
Over with and done
Those days are over
Never to return
They will not come back
And I can tell you why
I have the ability to explain
People die alone
Humans often pass away without company
I can tell you I'm
I admit that I am
A shadow on the sun
A presence that is often overlooked
Staring at the loss
Contemplating a defeat
Looking for the cause
Trying to determine the root of the problem
And never really sure
Yet, never entirely certain
Nothing but a hole
The result is a void
To live without a soul
To exist without a sense of purpose
And nothing to be learned
No lessons to be gleaned
People go insane
Individuals may become mentally unstable
I can show you how
I have the ability to demonstrate
You could do the same
It is possible for you to experience this as well
The end will never come
An ultimate conclusion may never arrive
The shadow on the sun
The obscure figure that looms over an otherwise bright existence
Shapes of every size
Numerous variations
Move behind my eyes
Manifest within my thoughts
Doors inside my head
Mental blockages
Bolted from within
Self-imposed barriers
Every drop of flame
Each spark of intensity
Lights a candle in
Ignites a flame
Memory of the one
Recollections of a particular individual
Who lived inside my skin
Who existed within me
Sun
The star at the center of our solar system
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.