In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Stumble and Pain
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You brought them back for luck/love?
Throw a bucket down into your well
You fill it with your blood
And you let it go
With the greatest ease
'cause something always stays the same
With the meaning you never fill with the mean you never fail
Try to leave before it comes
Like a man whose paid to kill
Asking you what should be done
And you let it go
With the greatest ease
'cause something always stays the same
And always seems
Sun down on shady grin
Shaking hands on a sinking ship
(Process here on a poison friend)
Telling you you'll never quit
The lyrics of Joseph Arthur's song Stumble and Pain are intriguing and thought-provoking, leaving the listener to ponder over their meaning long after the song has ended. The opening lines, "All your gifts come out of hell, you brought them back for luck/love?" could be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation could be that the gifts the subject is referring to are their talents or strengths, which they have developed as a result of going through difficult times. The line "you brought them back for luck/love?" could suggest that the subject is using their gifts to find love or success, but is unsure if they will actually bring about the desired outcome.
The next few lines, "Throw a bucket down into your well, you fill it with your blood" paint a vivid picture of someone sacrificing everything they have to achieve their goals. The well could represent the things that sustain the subject, such as their creativity or energy, and filling it with their own blood could represent the physical, emotional, or mental toll that pursuing their goals has taken on them.
The chorus, "And you let it go, with the greatest ease, 'cause something always stays the same, and always seems" suggests that the subject is resigned to the fact that some things will never change, no matter how hard they try. The following lines, "With the meaning you never fill, with the mean you never fail, try to leave before it comes, like a man whose paid to kill, asking you what should be done" convey a sense of hopelessness and desperation. The subject is trying to escape from a situation that they cannot control, but they are unsure of what to do next.
Line by Line Meaning
All your gifts come out of hell
Everything you have seems to be cursed or associated with negativity and despair.
You brought them back for luck/love?
Are you holding on to these possessions hoping they would bring you some sort of happiness or success?
Throw a bucket down into your well
You constantly dig in your depths to find something worth holding on to.
You fill it with your blood
You invest your heart and soul into everything you do, but this takes a toll on you.
And you let it go
You easily dispose of the things that cause you pain.
With the greatest ease
It doesn't take much to get rid of them.
'cause something always stays the same
No matter what you do, you can't escape your inner turmoil.
And always seems
You're constantly haunted by your own thoughts and emotions.
With the meaning you never fill with the mean you never fail
You're looking for significance and purpose, but you can't seem to find it despite your efforts.
Try to leave before it comes
You try to run away from your problems instead of facing them head-on.
Like a man whose paid to kill
You're constantly fighting against something within you that's trying to destroy you.
Asking you what should be done
You seek advice and guidance from others, but ultimately, the decisions you make are yours alone.
Sun down on shady grin
The end of the day brings a sense of relief, but it's only temporary.
Shaking hands on a sinking ship
You're trying to keep things together, but everything is falling apart.
(Process here on a poison friend)
You're going through a difficult time with someone you once trusted.
Telling you you'll never quit
You're being told that you won't be able to overcome these challenges, but you refuse to give up.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind