… Read Full Bio ↴Flannel Graph is an Alternative/Folk band formed in Kalispell, MT, USA.
Flannel Graph consists of Shayla Smith and Leon Gregory, both from Kalispell, Montana. Their first record, Five Foot Three, is a five song EP recorded and produced by Smith in her makeshift home recording studio. The songs are an intimate and folky expedition through the eyes of various modernized Bible characters, gritty sailors, and through Smith's own eyes as a young female lacking in height but not in heart.
The Tower
Flannel Graph Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Apple and the baron got it old and spoiled
All that's good for man is the soil
Got a neck so strong for the crown upon your head
Don't think anyone will leave it when you're dead
There's a throng of men mightier than you
And they're waiting and they're watching till they fill your shoes
You build your tower up so high
Walk over brothers to get by
You lost your joy and don't know why
Why
The song "The Tower" by Flannel Graph talks about the downfall of pride and the desire for power. The first line "You've got a long way down, a long way down, a long way down with our hearts so proud" hints at the fact that the person being addressed has elevated themselves to a high position, but their pride will ultimately lead to their downfall. The second line "Apple and the baron got it old and spoiled" refers to the story of Adam and Eve where the apple represents temptation and the baron represents someone in a position of power who abuses it. The third line "All that's good for man is the soil" is a reminder that despite seeking power and material possessions, in the end, what matters most is our connection to the earth and our fellow humans.
The chorus talks about the consequences of pursuing power at the cost of others. The line "Got a neck so strong for the crown upon your head" refers to the person's ability to assert their authority and control over others. The following line "Don't think anyone will leave it when you're dead" suggests that despite their power, they will eventually die just like everyone else, and their legacy will be what they leave behind. The next two lines "There's a throng of men mightier than you, And they're waiting and they're watching till they fill your shoes" highlight the reality that no one has absolute power and that there will always be someone waiting to take their place.
The second verse addresses the person's actions in their pursuit of power. The line "You build your tower up so high" refers to the person's desire to elevate themselves above others. The following line "Walk over brothers to get by" suggests that they have stepped on others to achieve their goals. The final line "You lost your joy and don't know why" is a reminder that power and material possessions can never truly bring happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got a long way down, a long way down, a long way down with our hearts so proud
You've come so far on this path, too far to look back, with pride driving you forward.
Apple and the baron got it old and spoiled
Wealth and power often lead to corruption and decay.
All that's good for man is the soil
We should cherish and care for the Earth, as it is our sustenance and the root of all life.
Got a neck so strong for the crown upon your head
You have the strength and willpower to rule and lead.
Don't think anyone will leave it when you're dead
No one will be able to keep your power and success when you've passed away.
There's a throng of men mightier than you
There will always be others who are more powerful or skilled than you.
And they're waiting and they're watching till they fill your shoes
Those who come after you are watching and waiting to take your place.
You build your tower up so high
You've achieved great success and power, but it may be at the cost of relationships and happiness.
Walk over brothers to get by
You've hurt and betrayed those close to you in order to reach your goals.
You lost your joy and don't know why
You may have achieved your goals, but at the cost of losing sight of what truly brings you happiness.
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.