Grey Matter
Finch Lyrics


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Bite the tongue, to live with what you've done
It's so good
It's so good
Lie to myself while I lie with myself
It's Monday and it's raining
It's Sunday in the sun
It's so good, but
Would it be so bad, if you were to pretend that you were so happy?
Keep it to yourself, don't let the secret go
If you were so willing
But

Let's pray for this suicide
And all these pictures falling down around me
I've surrounded myself with all I have inside

Would I bite my tongue, and live with what you've done?
Just continue sleeping?
Selfishly consumed with everything you've wrought
There's nothing I can do
But

Let's pray for this suicide
And all these pictures falling down
One wish full, step to the side
And please just let me know

Are you happy
I'll decide
These stories are so old, how they match your eyes
But

Let's pray for this suicide
And all these pictures falling down




One wish full, step to the side
And pick these pictures from the ground that surround me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Finch's Grey Matter deals with the internal struggles and emotional turmoil experienced by an individual who is attempting to live with the consequences of their actions. The opening lines “Bite the tongue, to live with what you’ve done, it’s so good, It’s so good” sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer is confessing to be happy with what they have achieved while also trying to suppress guilt and negative feelings associated with it. The opening phrase “Bite the tongue” metaphorically refers to suppressing emotions or keeping things to oneself, which implies that the singer is not forthcoming about what they have done but is instead living with the internal burden of their actions.


The chorus’s section of the song “Let's pray for this suicide and all these pictures falling down around me” is a reflection of the inner emotional turmoil and pain. The line “Would it be so bad if you were to pretend that you were so happy?” suggests the importance of finding happiness and the extent of the importance of feeling happy. The singer is trying to convince themselves that pretending to be happy would not be such a bad thing even if deep down they know that they are not. The lines in the chorus, “And pick these pictures from the ground that surround me” further suggest the search for something that will give meaning to the pain they are dealing with.


Line by Line Meaning

Bite the tongue, to live with what you've done
Choose to remain silent and accept the consequences of your actions


It's so good
Being ignorant of the truth appears to be comfortable


It's so good
Being ignorant of the truth appears to be comfortable


Lie to myself while I lie with myself
Deceive oneself and be dishonest with oneself


It's Monday and it's raining
Feelings of sadness and depression


It's Sunday in the sun
Feeling content and happy


It's so good, but
Despite the temporary comfort of ignorance, the truth remains


Would it be so bad, if you were to pretend that you were so happy?
Questioning the moral implications of pretending to be happy


Keep it to yourself, don't let the secret go
Don't reveal the true thoughts and feelings


If you were so willing
If only pretending could solve everything


Let's pray for this suicide
Reflecting on the past and hoping for a better future


And all these pictures falling down around me
Memories fading and forgotten


I've surrounded myself with all I have inside
Being alone with one's thoughts and actions


Would I bite my tongue, and live with what you've done?
Contemplating whether to confess or not


Just continue sleeping?
Indulging in ignorance to avoid dealing with the truth


Selfishly consumed with everything you've wrought
Being self-centered and only thinking of the consequences for oneself


There's nothing I can do
Feeling helpless and stuck in the situation


And please just let me know
Requesting clarity and honesty


Are you happy
Asking for the truth


I'll decide
The decision to face the truth is in one's own hands


These stories are so old, how they match your eyes
The past can be forgotten, but its memories and consequences remain


Let's pray for this suicide
Reflecting on the past and hoping for a better future


And all these pictures falling down
Memories fading and forgotten


One wish full, step to the side
A wish for a new perspective and a way out


And pick these pictures from the ground that surround me
Choosing to confront and face the past




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEJANDRO M. LINARES, ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ LINARES, ALEXANDER PAPPAS, DEREK DOHERTY, NATHAN BARCALOW, RANDY STROHMEYER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@user-el9gh8fe7u

Bite the tongue to live with what you've done!
It's so good, it's so good.
LIE TO MYSELF WHILE I LIE WITH MYSELF.
It's Monday and it's raining,
It's Sunday in the sun!
It's so good, but...

Would it be so bad
If you were to pretend that you were so happy?
Keep it to yourself;
Don't let the secret go.
If you were so willing, but...

Let's pray for this suicide,
And all these pictures falling down around me...
I've surrounded myself with all I have INSIDE.

Would I bite my tongue,
And live with what you've done?
Just continue sleeping?
Selfishly consumed with everything you've wrought.
There's nothing I can do, but...

Let's pray for this suicide,
And all these pictures falling down.
One wish full, step to the side.
And please just let me know...

Are you happy?
I'll decide.
These stories are so old,
How they match your eyes.

Are you happy?
I'll decide.
These stories are so old,
How they match your eyes.

Are you happy?
I'll decide.
These stories are so old,
How they match your eyes.
But...

LET'S PRAY FOR this suicide,
And all these pictures falling down.
ONE WISH FULL, step to the side.
And pick these pictures from the ground that surround me.



All comments from YouTube:

@Snowfall0789

Over a decade later and I still love Finch so much. This song was definitely one of my favorites from them.

@realms9

38 years young today. First saw them at warped tour in 2002 when I was 17. Still one of my favorite bands ! Nice to hear the singer from Glassjaw on this as well !

@voidofhope6259

This album is still untouchable to this day. Goddamn were they good!

@luderchris3

This song is such a banger. Got to Finch thru Glassjaw but I think Finch's music is so much more digestible at times. Palumbo sets this son off so hard though. When they harmonize at the end it's just the chef's kiss. Underrated song, the lyrics are so great too.

@Snowfall0789

Right? Finch was such an underrated group. Not one song that’s bad. Same with Trust Company. I miss this kind of music from my youth.

@jeremyrowe8224

Finch was always MUCH better than the other trashy post hardcore bands of 2003. They were a cut above and showed it in the next album which is a far departure from most of the 'competition'.

The fact Daryl is on this song just backs that up.

@mcfc6320

This. With gLaSsJaW! Daryl you monster. I love you

@seanhutt4621

Are you happy I'll decide , these story's are so old how they match your eyes

@kingkrysen

GlassJaw vibes in this song 🤘🏼🥁🎸

@current3109

Favorite song by em

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