Day started his public music career in a San Francisco Bay Area band called Sounds Like Life, which also featured John Vesely, who is now the principle artist in the acoustic-based band Secondhand Serenade.
In 2006, Day signed with Epic Records after an industry-wide bidding war. He toured for one year, and was eventually dropped by his record label in June 2007. He has recently started his own company, Simplify Music, with plans to release a self-produced CD in 2009.
Heroes Die
Ronnie Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or maybe you go where the wind blows
All I know is I'm right either way
Every word you spoke was subtle
So I never gave you one rebuttal
Because somehow I knew you
Meant what you said.
It's like I spoke to you,
It's like you spoke to me
You know we need each other
These things we built could last forever.
Sometimes we watch our heroes die
And we don't know why
We don't know why they
Left us so young
Sometime we watch our mirrors cry
And we don't know why
We don't know why they
Left us undone
I've learned that I can live without you
I've learned that there are things about you
Which I knew
Which I chose to hold in
I've seen your eyes when they're glassed over
Your charcoaled lungs… Malignant fire
Desire kept us holding on tight.
I am now everything good that you did
I'm tossing out all of the things you kept hid
Like the scars on your knuckles
The way that you chuckled…
When the bottle made way for it
The lyrics to Ronnie Day's song "Heroes Die" suggest that there are certain individuals who have a lasting impact in our lives, whether they choose to stay and persist like a tree, or to move about freely like the wind. The singer acknowledges that no matter which type of individual they encounter, they are content with the knowledge that they are right, either way. Throughout the song, the singer references specific interactions with someone who spoke in a subtle manner. Despite the subtlety, the singer never argued with them because they knew that this person meant every word they spoke.
The lyrics go on to reveal that the singer and this person have built something together that is meant to last forever. However, the song takes a somber turn when the singer brings up the harsh reality that sometimes, even our heroes (or those we look up to) pass away too soon with no explanation as to why. Similarly, the singer doesn't understand why their mirrors may also cry, or why certain aspects of their lives are left undone. The song then transitions to the singer admitting that they have learned to live without this person, despite holding onto things they never revealed to the singer.
The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that they have taken on the good qualities of this person, while also shedding light on some of the more negative aspects of their life, such as their alcoholism. Overall, "Heroes Die" speaks to the way in which we view those who impact our lives, and how the knowledge we gain from them can have a lasting effect.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you're a tree who's leaves stay
Perhaps you're someone who remains stable and constant, like a tree with leaves that stay on.
Or maybe you go where the wind blows
Or maybe you're someone who moves with the flow, adapting to different situations and circumstances like leaves that blow with the wind.
All I know is I'm right either way
Regardless of whether you are constant or adaptable, I am confident that I am making the right decision for myself.
Every word you spoke was subtle
You spoke softly and indirectly, not demanding attention but still conveying important messages.
So I never gave you one rebuttal
I never argued with you or disputed your words, because I trusted that what you were saying was true.
Because somehow I knew you Meant what you said.
Somehow, I just knew that the words you spoke had meaning and sincerity behind them.
It's like I spoke to you, It's like you spoke to me
It felt like we were having a deep and meaningful conversation, where we listened to each other and were heard in return.
You know we need each other
We both understand the importance of having someone to rely on and support us in difficult times.
These things we built could last forever.
The connection and bond we have created has the potential to endure for an eternity.
Sometimes we watch our heroes die And we don't know why We don't know why they Left us so young
Occasionally, we witness our idols and inspirations pass away and we are left questioning why they had to leave us so unexpectedly and prematurely.
Sometime we watch our mirrors cry And we don't know why We don't know why they Left us undone
At times, we see ourselves struggling and in pain, and we are unsure why we are unable to overcome the obstacles in our lives.
I've learned that I can live without you I've learned that there are things about you Which I knew Which I chose to hold in
I have come to the realization that I can survive without your presence in my life, but there were elements of you that I was aware of, yet decided to keep hidden inside of me.
I've seen your eyes when they're glassed over Your charcoaled lungs… Malignant fire Desire kept us holding on tight.
I have witnessed the effects of your addiction on your body, but I also know that the passion and desire we shared was what kept us holding on to each other so tightly.
I am now everything good that you did I'm tossing out all of the things you kept hid Like the scars on your knuckles The way that you chuckled… When the bottle made way for it
I am now trying to emulate only the positive and uplifting aspects that you brought into my life, while discarding the negative and painful secrets you kept hidden, such as the scars on your hands or the drunken laughter.
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dereserenexx
Man. Major throw back. Thank you for the memories and nostalgia.
@LunaVioletta7
i think this is just one of those songs that no matter what situation you are in, it always seems to help you. its a sad song that helps you in sad times, a happy song that helps you even more in happy times.
@Droy990
Ronnie Day my Favorite Artist This song is touching and it tells a lot about heroes
@missy36644
my hero was my band teacher. but he wasnt rly just a band teacher, he was an awesome friend. he changed the lives of many, but his was taken by cancer. we all love him and will never forget him.
@dnickols123
I love this song.
@SputnikCrisis
i miss you Tommy Pickles, oh we all miss you so much
@dylencrane
this guys is mad good, my friend told me to listen to him and hes one of my favourite now
@angelbunny225
just....incredible! AMAZING song and great video! :)
@alexistherod
this is my favorite song of his...
@robarment7133
After all these years, I still listen to the demo version of this, Half Moon Bay, and Outside. Would love to find other early demos. The harmonies he puts together have always been incredible. I love the synth effects in the Heroes Die demo as well.