The band reunited in February 2012, with a new album to be released in 2015.
Torches and Tragedies
Good Riddance Lyrics
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Becoming bitter as they piss their lives away
Out of balance as he stumbles to the porch
Too young to recognize the passing of the torch
And so they cry (in fear)
They wonder why (not here)
The cycle punctuates an atmosphere of pain and lies
It gets to where one never knows what to expect
They take it in and take it on
Like they've been shown
It goes on and on and
Too many sterile homes without a thing to say
A generation losing innocence this way and
No recognition of the bridges as they burn
Just repetition of behaviors they have learned
And so they cry (in fear)
They wonder why (not here)
We tip the fragile scales of temperament and guilt
Too soon mistaken for the will that makes us strong
But looking back it's just the shame we pass along
My dreams too often true
I will never be the same as you
Born dead to live a lie
Shut down when I see you cry
The lyrics to Good Riddance's song "Torches and Tragedies" paints a dark and poignant picture of the cycle of pain, bitterness, and indifference that can be handed down from one generation to the next. The song mourns the loss of innocence and the burden of shame and guilt that weighs down those who have grown up in a world marked by broken homes, absent fathers, and sterile relationships. The lyrics showcase how children who watch their fathers or other role models self-destruct can become disillusioned and embittered, losing their own sense of hope, purpose, and self-worth in the process.
The song's recurring chorus ("And so they cry, they wonder why") captures the confusion and fear that can result from a lack of guidance and support, as well as the sense of abandonment that can cut across generations. The song suggests that this cycle of pain and indifference is perpetuated by the repetition of harmful behaviors and the failure to recognize and break free from harmful patterns of behavior. The imagery of bridges burning evokes a sense of finality and irrevocable loss, as well as the need to acknowledge the cost of our actions and choices.
Overall, "Torches and Tragedies" is a sobering and heartrending exploration of the toll that broken families and disconnection from others can take on people, especially young people.
Line by Line Meaning
Children who watch their fathers rise to work each day
Kids who observe their dads start the daily grind
Becoming bitter as they piss their lives away
Growing resentful as they waste their lives
Out of balance as he stumbles to the porch
Dad staggers home, out of sorts
Too young to recognize the passing of the torch
Children too inexperienced to see the handoff in duty
And so they cry (in fear)
Hence, they weep in trepidation
They wonder why (not here)
They question why dad's not near
The cycle punctuates an atmosphere of pain and lies
The routine underlines a climate of deceitful anguish
It gets to where one never knows what to expect
It reaches a point where the outcome is unpredictable
A bedtime story or a broken nose or neck
A fairytale or a fractured bone could occur
They take it in and take it on
They accept it and carry on
Like they've been shown
Just as they're instructed
It goes on and on and
The cycle never halts
Too many sterile homes without a thing to say
Many empty houses without much speaking
A generation losing innocence this way and
A group losing their innocence in this manner
No recognition of the bridges as they burn
No awareness of the bond's breakdown
Just repetition of behaviors they have learned
Simply repeating the taught behaviour
We tip the fragile scales of temperament and guilt
We offset the delicate balance of emotion and blame
Too soon mistaken for the will that makes us strong
Wrongly believed to be what grants us strength too soon
But looking back it's just the shame we pass along
In retrospect, it's just the embarrassment we transfer
My dreams too often true
My aspirations materialize frequently
I will never be the same as you
I differ from you permanently
Born dead to live a lie
Born numb to lead a mendacious life
Shut down when I see you cry
I close down upon sighting your tears
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.