Tumbling Down
Brian Slade & The Venus In Furs Lyrics
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When one lowers one's guard to the vultures.
Now me I'm regarded, but torturous hardship that smolders.
Like a peppermint, eaten away.
Will I fight? will I swagger or sway?
Hee hee, m'lady. she cries like a baby.
I scold her.
See her tumbling down.(tumbling down)
Hail to the monkey, we're having a funky reunion.
Wasted and sunk, he can only have Sunday communion.
He's got nicotine stains in his eyes.
He's got nothing to protect but his pride.
Oh, smother a kiss or be drowned in blissful confusion.
See her tumbling down (tumbling down) x3
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
The Lyrics of "Tumbling Down" by Brian Slade & The Venus In Furs's describe a situation where the singer finds it hard to cope up with the expectations that come with being in the spotlight. The song starts with the singer acknowledging that he is constantly under attack by vultures, who wait for him to lower his guard so that they can swoop in and destroy him. This is something that he finds hard to deal with, as he is constantly under scrutiny.
The singer then goes on to describe himself as "regarded, but torturous hardship that smolders," which is a metaphor for the fact that he is viewed as a successful and accomplished artist, but he is also struggling with the pressure that comes with it. He further describes this feeling of struggle as being "like a peppermint, eaten away," which is yet another metaphor for how the pressure is slowly eroding him from the inside.
The song then takes a turn as the singer asks himself whether he will fight, swagger, or sway. It is as if he is trying to figure out how best to deal with the situation that he finds himself in. The song ends on a somber note as we see his love interest "tumbling down," which could either mean that she's in trouble because of him or that she's falling out of love with him.
Overall, the song "Tumbling Down" by Brian Slade & The Venus In Furs's is a poignant commentary on the struggles that come with fame and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Cheap, but it's hard.
Although it may be easy to achieve, the resulting difficulty is not to be underestimated.
When one lowers one's guard to the vultures.
Being vulnerable attracts those who wish to harm or exploit.
Now me I'm regarded, but torturous hardship that smolders.
Despite his fame, he is consumed by an internal suffering that never dissipates.
Like a peppermint, eaten away.
His inner turmoil eats away at him in the same fashion as a person consuming a peppermint.
Will I fight? will I swagger or sway?
He is uncertain of how to combat his inner struggles, and whether to do so with aggression or nonchalance.
Hee hee, m'lady. she cries like a baby.
He takes pleasure in the suffering of others, in this case, a woman who is upset and vulnerable.
I scold her.
He takes advantage of her emotional state to criticize and chastise her.
See her tumbling down.(tumbling down)
The woman is metaphorically falling apart and spiraling out of control.
Hail to the monkey, we're having a funky reunion.
An allusion to drug use and the gathering of people under the influence, likely in celebration.
Wasted and sunk, he can only have Sunday communion.
The addict has lost everything and can only depend on religious sacraments for solace.
He's got nicotine stains in his eyes.
His drug use has stained not only his body but his very soul, rendering him corrupted.
He's got nothing to protect but his pride.
With all else lost, the addict clings to their ego and stubbornly protects it.
Oh, smother a kiss or be drowned in blissful confusion.
It is better to distract oneself with a kiss than to be overwhelmed by unclear, conflicting emotions.
See her tumbling down (tumbling down) x3
The woman's mental and emotional state continues to deteriorate at an increasingly rapid pace.
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Reinforces that the woman's descent is accelerating and seems to have no end in sight.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE HARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Uyikhk-ggdd417
Gee, but it's hard
When one lowers one's guard to the vultures
Now, me I regard it
A torturous hardship that smolders
Like a peppermint eaten away
Will I fight? Will I swagger, or sway?
Tee hee, milady
She cries like a baby
Scold us
See her tumbling down
Heil to the monkey
We're having a funky reunion
Wasted and sunk
He can only have Sunday communion
He's got nicotine stains in his eyes
He's got nothing to protect but his pride
Oh smothered a kiss
Or be drowned in blissful confusion
See her tumbling down
@eleonorapaloschi7203
This song is amazing. This entire film is amazing, one of the coolest soundtrack ever ❤️
@addicted2lipgloss872
Agree
@Marrisel
This is movie is a classic rock movie in my opinion and I love the soundtrack. Jonathan Rhys Meyers sounds so young in this recording but he sings beautifully! I love him. Lots of beautiful men in this movie doesn't hurt. :-)
@sadewolfkitten
Well, he was young when it was made. Only 19, iirc.
@flaviarodrigues9401
Only 19?!
@gingerbella4344
I love this movie so much. I was a teen in the 70s and it just brought back so many memories. Have watched it countless times. And this song was beautifully done by Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
@Uyikhk-ggdd417
Gee, but it's hard
When one lowers one's guard to the vultures
Now, me I regard it
A torturous hardship that smolders
Like a peppermint eaten away
Will I fight? Will I swagger, or sway?
Tee hee, milady
She cries like a baby
Scold us
See her tumbling down
Heil to the monkey
We're having a funky reunion
Wasted and sunk
He can only have Sunday communion
He's got nicotine stains in his eyes
He's got nothing to protect but his pride
Oh smothered a kiss
Or be drowned in blissful confusion
See her tumbling down
@sandwichedtfout
love this song like i love this movie, i could listen to this everyday.
@suetube6811
He’s beautiful. Love him.
@tiago2189
R.I.P Steve Harley