Rival Tides is a Los Angeles-based rock band that thrives on mixing aggress… Read Full Bio ↴Rival Tides is a Los Angeles-based rock band that thrives on mixing aggression with positivity. Since their formation, the group continues to pour their hearts into their music and live performances to create deeper connections with their fans.

The band is currently in the studio, recording their first full-length album with Beau Burchell (Saosin, The Bronx, Senses Fail).

All My Friends Are Stoned
Rival Tides Lyrics

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Well this can take you where you want to be if you’re looking for a fast climb
Don't show me nothing I don't want to see in the meantime
Oh we feed ourselves with chemicals just to find a garden
I've risked my life, my weight in gold, for a revelation
All my friends are stoned
They live too long
My careful ones, they're dead and gone
And if I told you, would you walk away?

Because I'm sick of all your sad songs
Just tell me what you really want to say even if it's wrong
We feed ourselves with chemicals just to find a garden
I've risked my life, my weight in gold
Only touched the surface
All my friends are stoned
They live too long
My careful ones, they're dead and gone
You better open up your heart and lock the gates behind you
Because the manic world goes on and on and on without you
It goes on without you
It goes on without you
It feels like this carousel is scraping the walls inside of my head
I try to tell myself over and over again
There's losing, there's falling
So keep moving to keep rising
All my friends are stoned
They live too long
My careful ones, they're dead and gone

You better open up your heart and lock the gates behind you
Because the manic world goes on and on and on without you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rival Tides's song "All My Friends Are Stoned" convey a sense of dissatisfaction and longing for something more in life. The opening lines suggest that the pursuit of quick success and the desire to avoid unpleasant truths have led the singer and their friends to rely on chemicals as a means of escape. They describe the act of feeding themselves with these chemicals in search of a metaphorical garden, potentially representing a state of happiness or fulfillment. The singer admits to having taken risks and made sacrifices in their quest for a revelation or deeper meaning.

The chorus acknowledges the state of their friends, who are described as being "stoned" and living too long, implying that they are numbing themselves to life's experiences. The "careful ones" are said to be "dead and gone," suggesting that those who have played it safe and avoided risks have also missed out on truly living. The singer questions whether revealing their true feelings would cause others to walk away, expressing a weariness towards sad songs and a desire for honesty, even if it goes against societal norms.

The bridge emphasizes the need to open one's heart and embrace life, despite the chaos and uncertainty that may exist in the world. The repetition of the mantra "the manic world goes on and on and on without you" serves as a reminder that life continues to move forward, even if one chooses to withdraw or numb themselves. The final lines express the struggle within the singer's mind, as they feel like a carousel scraping against the walls inside their head. They remind themselves that in the midst of losing and falling, one must keep moving to ultimately rise.

Overall, "All My Friends Are Stoned" explores themes of dissatisfaction, escape, and the importance of embracing life's challenges and uncertainties in order to truly live.

Line by Line Meaning

Well this can take you where you want to be if you’re looking for a fast climb
This situation or behavior can lead you to your desired destination quickly if you are seeking rapid success.

Don't show me nothing I don't want to see in the meantime
Please refrain from showing me things that I have no interest in seeing at the moment.

Oh we feed ourselves with chemicals just to find a garden
We consume substances in order to create an illusion of happiness or fulfillment.

I've risked my life, my weight in gold, for a revelation
I have put my life and valuable possessions at stake in pursuit of an important discovery or realization.

All my friends are stoned
All of my acquaintances are under the influence of drugs.

They live too long
Their lives continue for an extended period, possibly due to their reliance on substances.

My careful ones, they're dead and gone
My cautious friends have either passed away or are no longer present in my life.

And if I told you, would you walk away?
If I were to reveal something to you, would you distance yourself from me?

Because I'm sick of all your sad songs
I am exhausted from listening to your melancholic songs or stories.

Just tell me what you really want to say even if it's wrong
Please honestly communicate your true thoughts or desires, even if they may be considered incorrect or misguided.

You better open up your heart and lock the gates behind you
It is essential for you to expose your emotions while simultaneously guarding yourself against potential harm.

Because the manic world goes on and on and on without you
The frenzied world continues to progress relentlessly, unaffected by your absence.

It goes on without you
The world continues its course regardless of your presence or participation.

It feels like this carousel is scraping the walls inside of my head
I perceive a sensation akin to a carousel rubbing against the boundaries of my mind, causing discomfort and distress.

I try to tell myself over and over again
I repeatedly attempt to convince myself or reinforce a particular belief or idea.

There's losing, there's falling
In life, there are experiences of defeat and moments of decline.

So keep moving to keep rising
In order to continue progressing or ascending, one must remain in motion.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Alexander von Hollen, Gregory Fulleman, Jason Friday, Robyn Reinstadler, Spencer Kent

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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