One Foot
Fun.E/mile Haynie Lyrics
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I can't help but love thinking that everyone doesn't get it
To my left there's a window
Where did I go?
My reflection just planted two rows of coal
And bad ideas, but ideas nonetheless, and so
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I happened to stumble upon a chapel last night
And I can't help but back up when I think of what happens inside
I got friends locked in boxes, that's no way to live
What you're callin' a sin isn't up to them
After all, (after all) I thought we were all your children,
But I will die for my own sins thanks a lot
We'll rise up ourselves thanks for nothing at all,
So up off the ground up our forefathers are nothing but dust now
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
Maybe I should learn to shut my mouth
I am over twenty-five and I can't make a name for myself some nights I break down and cry
I'm lucky that my father's still alive he's been fighting all his life
And if this is all I've ever known then may his soul live on forever in my song
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
In front of the other one
In front of the other one
Just a better place to die
The song "One Foot" by Fun.E/mile Haynie is a reflective piece that contemplates the meaning of life and existence in general. The singer is standing in Brooklyn, waiting for something to happen, while observing the world around them. They express a sense of longing for something more, but not necessarily a new love or a new life, just a better place to die. This line reveals that the singer is somewhat disillusioned with their current situation and is seeking a change, even if that change is simply a better ending.
The second verse of the song takes the form of a criticism of organized religion. The singer stumbles upon a chapel and is struck by the realization of what happens inside. They criticize the idea of friends "locked in boxes," or buried in coffins, and point out that it's not up to anyone else to define what is or isn't a sin. The singer then goes on to say that while they thought everyone was a child of God, they are willing to die for their own sins, rather than bowing to a higher power.
The final verse of the song sees the singer reflecting on their own life and the fact that they are over 25 and still haven't made a name for themselves. They acknowledge that they're lucky to have a father who has fought all his life, but seem to feel a sense of sadness that this is all they've ever known. The final lines of the song, "just a better place to die," suggest that while the singer might feel disillusioned with their current situation, they're not necessarily looking for a total overhaul of their life or a new beginning, just a more meaningful way to end it.
Overall, "One Foot" is a powerful meditation on the meaning of life and the human condition, with a particular emphasis on the idea of finding a better way to die. The song is thought-provoking and poignant, and it's clear that the lyrics were written with care and intention.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing in Brooklyn just waiting for something to happen
I'm in Brooklyn and waiting for some meaningful event to happen in my life.
I can't help but love thinking that everyone doesn't get it
I love how people can't fully grasp the complexities of life.
To my left there's a window
There's a window next to me on my left.
Where did I go?
I'm lost and unsure of where I am in life.
My reflection just planted two rows of coal
My reflection looks bleak and dark like coal.
And bad ideas, but ideas nonetheless, and so
I have some bad ideas, but they're still ideas.
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I'm trying to move forward in my life one step at a time.
I don't need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I don't want a new life, I just want a better ending to this one.
I happened to stumble upon a chapel last night
Last night I stumbled upon a chapel by chance.
And I can't help but back up when I think of what happens inside
I feel uneasy thinking about what goes on inside the chapel.
I got friends locked in boxes, that's no way to live
I have friends who are imprisoned which is no way for someone to live their life.
What you're callin' a sin isn't up to them
It's not up to others to decide what is considered sinful for my friends.
After all, (after all) I thought we were all your children,
I thought we were all children of God.
But I will die for my own sins thanks a lot
I'll accept the consequences of my own actions without complaint.
We'll rise up ourselves thanks for nothing at all,
We'll overcome our struggles without any help or support from anyone else.
So up off the ground up our forefathers are nothing but dust now
Our ancestors are now just dust on the ground.
Maybe I should learn to shut my mouth
Perhaps I need to learn to keep quiet.
I am over twenty-five and I can't make a name for myself some nights I break down and cry
I'm over twenty-five and have yet to establish myself. Some nights, I feel overwhelmed and cry.
I'm lucky that my father's still alive he's been fighting all his life
I'm fortunate my father is still alive, as he has struggled his entire life.
And if this is all I've ever known then may his soul live on forever in my song
If this life is all I've experienced, may my father's memory live on through my music.
In front of the other one
I'm taking things one step at a time.
Just a better place to die
I hope for a more peaceful or meaningful end to my life.
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW DOST, JACK ANTONOFF, EMILE HAYNIE, NATE RUESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind