Throwing Stones
If All Else Fails Lyrics
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A silent contempt your voice struggled to disguise
Deceitful; our backs displayed for you-stab away
I've looked into your eyes and seen such cruel expanses
Four unforgiving years that I won't soon get back from you
Not one regret now from you…
Confining, compliant clay molded in your scheme
Defenseless; blinded, betrayed by you-stab away
I've looked into your eyes and seen such cruel expanses
Four unforgiving years that I won't soon get back from you
Not one regret now from you…
Underhanded, spiteful, vindictive, calculated
Genuflect for her son and become what you hated
I have worshipped every God I ever knew
Every stone I ever threw into your empty well-
And I heard the echoes and what they said to me
Was mine alone and so…
I've looked into your eyes and seen such cruel expanses
Four unforgiving years that I won't soon get back from you
Not one regret now from you…
Underhanded, spiteful, vindictive, calculated
Genuflect for her son and become what you hated
The lyrics of "Throwing Stones" by If All Else Fails convey a sense of betrayal and deception. The first verse describes the disapproval shown in someone's eyes, and their reluctance to express it openly. The next verse talks of feeling trapped and submissive within this person's scheme, while being blind to their true intentions. The chorus emphasizes the view into this person's eyes, reflecting on all the wasted time spent in their company, and the fact that they have no regret for their actions.
The second verse goes on to describe the person's underhanded nature, and their willingness to manipulate others in order to achieve their own goals. The words "genuflect for her son and become what you hated" suggest that the person may be using their child as a means of control, or forcing others to conform to their own beliefs. The final lines of the verse ("was mine alone and so") convey a sense of isolation, as if the singer has finally realized they must rely on their own inner strength to triumph over this situation.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a relationship or situation in which someone has been mistreated or taken advantage of, and ultimately discovers the truth about their tormentor. The focus on the eyes as a window to the soul suggests that the singer has finally seen through the false facade presented by this person, and is ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
And there was disapproval; it shone in your eyes
You disapproved of us and it was evident from the way your eyes gleamed
A silent contempt your voice struggled to disguise
You tried to conceal your contemptuous words but they still came out
Deceitful; our backs displayed for you-stab away
You were two-faced and we were vulnerable to your betrayal
I've looked into your eyes and seen such cruel expanses
I've seen the vastness of your cruelty in your eyes
Four unforgiving years that I won't soon get back from you
I lost four years of my life to you and I'll never get them back
Not one regret now from you…
You feel no remorse for what you've done to me
And we were penitent though at heart we still believed
We were repentant but deep down we still had faith in ourselves
Confining, compliant clay molded in your scheme
You molded us to fit into your restrictive plan
Defenseless; blinded, betrayed by you-stab away
We were helpless and blinded, vulnerable to your betrayal
Underhanded, spiteful, vindictive, calculated
You were sneaky, malicious, and deliberate in your actions
Genuflect for her son and become what you hated
You bowed down to her son and became what you once despised
I have worshipped every God I ever knew
I've prayed to every deity I know of
Every stone I ever threw into your empty well-
I tried to break through to you, but you were hollow and unresponsive
And I heard the echoes and what they said to me
The only one who hears the echoes of my actions is myself
Was mine alone and so…
The consequences of my actions are mine to bear
Contributed by Victoria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.