The song is cited by bassist Nicky Wire as a message to the fans, saying that the music had changed after the loss of Richey Edwards, but the band is still the same. Ushering in a new era for the band, Wire's lyrics asks fans to forgive them for changing: "and I just hope that you can forgive us, but everything must go".
James Dean Bradfield has said that Sean Moore had a lot of freedom in the drums for his song. Unlike on several previous Manic Street Preachers singles, the drums are not "compressed", they are more open and free, giving a sense of disorder in the song. The song features a prominent string section that commentators such as Q magazine's Tom Doyle have compared to the songs of Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound.
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is starting to hurt me with everything
Freed from the memory
Escape from our history, history
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
I look to the future it makes me cry
But it seems too real to tell you why
Freed from the century
With nothing but memory, memory
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation, nation
Then everything must go
The lyrics of Manic Street Preachers' song "Everything Must Go" are open to interpretation, but they seem to speak about the desire to escape from the pain caused by past memories and the urgency to move on to a better future. The first line, "Shed some skin for the fear within is starting to hurt me with everything," could be interpreted to mean that the singer wants to let go of the past in order to move forward without the weight of their fears and regrets. The next line, "Freed from the memory, escape from our history," further emphasizes the singer's desire to escape the past, to be freed from the emotional burden of memory.
The chorus of the song, "And I just hope that you can forgive us, but everything must go, and if you need an explanation, then everything must go," seems to suggest that the singer is ready to let go of everything from the past, even if it requires forgiveness, and they're willing to explain themselves if it will make the process easier. The lines, "I look to the future, it makes me cry, but it seems too real to tell you why, freed from the century, with nothing but memory," lend themselves to a sense of both hope and longing, as the singer wants to leave everything behind but they can't help but feel the pain of letting go.
In the final verse, "Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy, and I just hope that you can forgive us, but everything must go, and if you need an explanation, nation, then everything must go," the singer emphasizes the importance of being happy and the necessity of letting go of the past in order to achieve it. The repetition of the line "everything must go" reinforces the urgency and inevitability of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Shed some skin for the fear within
Let go of your protective layer and confront your inner fears
Is starting to hurt me with everything
My fear is beginning to cause me pain in all aspects of my life
Freed from the memory
We are breaking free from the burdens of our past
Escape from our history, history
We need to move beyond our past mistakes and start anew
And I just hope that you can forgive us
We acknowledge our faults and hope for forgiveness
But everything must go
All lingering reminders of our past struggles need to be let go
And if you need an explanation
If you require further understanding
Then everything must go
We have to relinquish all attachments to the past to progress
I look to the future it makes me cry
Thinking about the unknowns of my future is overwhelming and emotional
But it seems too real to tell you why
I cannot articulate the depth of my emotions regarding the future
Freed from the century
We are unshackling ourselves from the troubles of the past 100 years
With nothing but memory, memory
All we have left are our recollections of past events
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy
Overcoming our past struggles will lead to lasting happiness
And if you need an explanation
If you require further understanding
Then everything must go
We must let go of our past to move on and achieve happiness
And I just hope that you can forgive us
We seek forgiveness and understanding
And if you need an explanation, nation
To our society at large, if you need clarification
Then everything must go
We must let go of all attachments to our past struggles for the well-being of all
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES BRADFIELD, JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD, NICHOLAS JONES, NICHOLAS ALLEN JONES, SEAN MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Shed some skin for the fear within
Is starting to hurt me with everything
Freed from the memory
Escape from our history, history
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
I look to the future it makes me cry 😢
But it seems too real to tell you why
Freed from the century
With nothing but memory, memory
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy 😊
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation-nation
Then everything must go
Alex Reid
"Everything Must Go"
Shed some skin for the fear within
Is starting to hurt me with everything
Freed from the memory
Escape from our history, history
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
I look to the future it makes me cry
But it seems too real to tell you why
Freed from the century
With nothing but memory, memory
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation, -nation
Then everything must go
Amandeep Singh
Lyrics:
Shed some skin for the fear within
Is starting to hurt me with everything
Freed from the memory Escape from our history, history
And I just hope that you can forgive us.
But everything must go.
And if you need an explanation, then everything must go
I look to the future it makes me cry
But it seems too real to tell you why
Freed from the century With nothing but memory, memory
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation, Then everything must go
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy
And I just hope that you can forgive us.
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation Then everything must go
And if you need an explanation Then everything must go...
tubeutubeuful
Shed some skin for the fear within
Is starting to hurt me with everything
Freed from the memory
Escape from our history, history
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
I look to the future it makes me cry
But it seems too real to tell you why
Freed from the century
With nothing but mammaries, mammaries
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
Freed us eventually just need to be happy, happy
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation
Then everything must go
And I just hope that you can forgive us
But everything must go
And if you need an explanation, -nation
Then everything must go
Obroni Bible Teacher
A powerful anthem for personal change and starting afresh. That's what it speaks to me. I love how lyrics can be applied in a variety of ways to our own lives and experiences.
Emma
A lot of people ask (when I say, "I love the Manics") , "Don't you find them depressing?". No I don't. Is it just me?! I find them uplifting, and the hairs stand up on the back of my neck listening to that voice and the tunes!
TheLostBoy1974
Emma Their music is not depressing. You’re right.
Paul Nolan
They are a very much underrated band. If people actually listened then they would know.
TheKraig
When depressed in mood they lift me, but when high in mood they make me reflect on the bad times so I can appreciate the good times more.
Marie Snook
100%!!!
A. C.
Depressing..? How do they sound depressing?? People are strange
Listiano Crowe
Love the little tributes to Richey right from the start! Walking past his guitar and the cherry blossom tree. Such a dignified way and great song to say goodbye.
Robin Hogg
Really? Oh my. I will check that out.
Magnificient song made even better knowing that. Thank you.
Athena&TheOwl
Still gives me goosebumps after 26 years x