The song became the band's second top 10 single, peaking at #10 on the UK singles chart.
According to the That Golden Rule Songfacts, the song's press release described it as "a distinctively heavy and angular rock race of a song, with stunning unexpected time changes, huge riffs and a gigantic chorus." while the band themselves described the song as a mixture of prog and stoner rock, citing that "[it's] like Kyuss and Tool playing with some Scottish freaks screaming over the top of it."
That Golden Rule
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the throne, smell my mustard gas
I slash swords through your wooden spine
Well it cut my heart and it blew my head
We made love at the side of the road
Reflex, you better know this flows fast
This river is particularly sinister
Close your eyes and take my hand
I wanna scream one last death medley
I am looking for a reason to secure a forward motion
Love that golden rule, that golden rule
Need that golden rule, that golden rule
Secrets are the truth, they are the truth
We need that silver rule, that silver rule
Face to face with the ball and chain
I'll poke my head up till its red
I tell my secrets and you took my pain
About a broken heart and I will do it again
Son of Henry, I'm the first in line
To the throne, smell my mustard gas
I slash swords through your wooden spine
Well it cut my heart and it blew my head
I want to scream one last death medley
I am looking for a reason to secure a forward motion
Love that golden rule, that golden rule
Need that golden rule, that golden rule
Secrets are the truth, they are the truth
We need that silver rule, that silver rule
"That Golden Rule" is a fast-paced rock song by Biffy Clyro that deals with themes of power, love, and secrets. The lyrics refer to the singer as the son of Henry and the first in line to the throne, indicating their privileged position in society. However, the song also makes references to violent imagery, such as the use of mustard gas and swords cutting through wooden spines. These lines could suggest a rebellion against the traditional power structures that the singer is a part of.
The song also makes references to love and intimacy, such as the line "We made love at the side of the road". However, this intimacy seems to be juxtaposed with the violent and sinister imagery that the song presents. The line "Close your eyes and take my hand" could suggest that the singer is leading someone into a dangerous or unknown situation.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrases "Love that golden rule, that golden rule" and "Need that golden rule, that golden rule", with the addition of the line "Secrets are the truth, they are the truth". This could suggest that the singer values power and control, even if it means keeping secrets and perpetuating a certain set of rules.
Overall, "That Golden Rule" is a complex and multifaceted song that touches on themes of power, love, and violence. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they suggest a rebellion against traditional power structures and a desire for control.
Line by Line Meaning
Son of Henry, I'm the first in line
As the first in line to the throne, I hold a position of power and authority.
To the throne, smell my mustard gas
I am willing to use any means necessary, even chemical warfare, to protect my position and maintain my power.
I slash swords through your wooden spine
I am ruthless in my pursuit of power and will do anything to eliminate my enemies.
Well it cut my heart and it blew my head
My actions and the pursuit of power have taken an emotional and mental toll on me as well.
We made love at the side of the road
Amidst all the violence and chaos, there are moments of love and connection that are cherished.
Reflex, you better know this flows fast
Opportunities to seize power come and go quickly and one must be ready to act on instinct to take advantage of them.
This river is particularly sinister
The pursuit of power can be treacherous and dangerous, and one must always be vigilant.
Close your eyes and take my hand
Despite the dangers, there is a sense of trust and loyalty amongst those who are willing to navigate the treacherous waters of power together.
I wanna scream one last death medley
The pursuit of power and the actions taken in its name have come at great personal cost and emotional pain.
I am looking for a reason to secure a forward motion
Despite the pain and cost, the pursuit of power and moving forward towards that goal is still a driving force.
Love that golden rule, that golden rule
The golden rule of 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is powerful and should be followed.
Need that golden rule, that golden rule
The golden rule is not only important, but necessary to creating a just and fair society.
Secrets are the truth, they are the truth
The secrets and hidden knowledge that come with power are a form of truth that is kept from the masses.
We need that silver rule, that silver rule
In addition to the golden rule, we also need a 'silver rule' that acknowledges the power dynamics at play and works to address them in a just and equitable way.
Face to face with the ball and chain
Confronting the consequences of one's actions and the system of power that has been created can be difficult and come at a personal cost.
I'll poke my head up till its red
Despite the cost, standing up and speaking out against injustice and corrupt power structures is necessary and worth the risk.
I tell my secrets and you took my pain
Sharing one's experiences and knowledge can be both healing and empowering, helping to break the cycles of power and domination.
About a broken heart and I will do it again
Even in the face of personal pain and heartbreak, the pursuit of power and creating a more just world is still a driving force.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@somekindofmonkeyapprentice8697
Son of Henry, I'm the first in line
To the throne, smell my mustard gas
I slash swords through your wooden spine
Well it cut my heart and it blew my head
We made love at the side of the road
Reflex, you better know this flows fast
This river is particularly sinister
Close your eyes and take my hand
I wanna scream one last death medley
I am looking for a reason to secure a forward motion
Love that golden rule, that golden rule
Need that golden rule, that golden rule
Secrets are the truth, they are the truth
We need that silver rule, that silver rule
Face to face with the ball and chain
I'll poke my head up till its red
I tell my secrets and you took my pain
About a broken heart and I will do it again
Son of Henry, I'm the first in line
To the throne, smell my mustard gas
I slash swords through your wooden spine
Well it cut my heart and it blew my head
I want to scream one last death medley
I am looking for a reason to secure a forward motion
Love that golden rule, that golden rule
Need that golden rule, that golden rule
Secrets are the truth, they are the truth
We need that silver rule, that silver rule
@Jmassey95
The orchestral part with the breakdown at the end gets me every time. Masterpiece of a song. This album will always be peak Biffy for me.
@ashleynelson5767
All Biffy is peak Biffy idc what you say
@thealltimemasterofairchess9871
@@ashleynelson5767 yes!
@elftower907
first 4 are all way better but nice
@gomezthechimp1116
I wish I were good enough at playing by ear to know how he plays that part live, without the strings/synth, because it sounds just as good.
@vi0letcr1me
that bit is cool but to me the A half of the song is the way cooler
@garygramm6533
It's not physically fucking possible to get tired of hearing this song.
@cdeschrevel5341
Still true! Same with the obscure song called “cruel man” by intwine. This song and the golden Rule are now epic songs which people higher up the foodchain in the criminal world like ;)
@cameronlange7565
Man this takes me back to the days id come home from school and watch Kerrang in my pants eating crisp sandwiches
@noooo0ooo0o
I could really go for a crisp sandwich right now