Landslide
Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics


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I took my love and took it down
I climbed a mountain, I turned around
And I saw my reflection in a snow covered hill
'Til a landslide brought it down

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changing cause I've
Built my life around you
Time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
I'm getting older, too

I took my love and took it down
I climbed a mountain, I turned around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hill




The landslide brought it down
The landslide brought it down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Smashing Pumpkins' song Landslide describe the feeling of realizing that one's life has changed dramatically and that they must adapt to new circumstances. The first verse begins with the singer taking their love and "taking it down," which likely means they've removed themselves from a situation that was no longer healthy or sustainable. As they climb a mountain and turn around, they see their reflection in a snow-covered hill, which is brought down by a landslide. This could represent the sudden and unexpected way that life can change and how sometimes the things we hold onto, like love, can be taken away from us.


The second verse asks the question "what is love?" and wonders if the childlike innocence of the heart can rise above the challenges and struggles that come with life. The singer then asks if they can "sail through the changing ocean tides" and handle the different seasons of their life. This shows that they're grappling with the idea that life is a constantly shifting and changing experience, and they're uncertain if they have the strength to navigate it.


The final verse reveals that the singer has been afraid of change because they've built their life around someone else. However, they acknowledge that time makes everyone bolder and that even children grow older. They've accepted that they too are getting older and must adapt to the changes in their life. The last line repeats the image of the snow-covered hill being brought down by a landslide, signifying that the singer understands that the old way of life has been irrevocably changed and that they must move forward from it.


Line by Line Meaning

I took my love and took it down
I made the decision to end a romantic relationship.


I climbed a mountain, I turned around
I reflected on my past choices and actions.


And I saw my reflection in a snow covered hill
I have a clear understanding of who I am and my internal struggles.


'Til a landslide brought it down
But unexpected external events caused me to lose my sense of self.


Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
I have questions about the true nature of love.


Can the child within my heart rise above?
I wonder if my inner child can overcome the pain and hurt caused by love.


Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
I question if I have the strength and resilience to face the uncertainties and changes in life.


Can I handle the seasons of my life?
I wonder if I have the emotional fortitude to navigate the different phases of my existence.


Well, I've been afraid of changing cause I've
I confess that I am scared of change because


Built my life around you
I have centered my life and identity around a person or an idea.


Time makes you bolder
The passing of time gives you courage and wisdom.


Even children get older
Growing old is an inevitable part of life.


And I'm getting older, too
I am also growing old, just like everyone else.


I'm getting older, too
My aging is a reminder that I need to accept the changes in my life.


I took my love and took it down
I made the difficult choice to end a romantic relationship.


I climbed a mountain, I turned around
I reflected on my past and the consequences of my actions.


And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hill
If you see my image somewhere, it represents my introspection and self-awareness.


The landslide brought it down
But an unexpected catastrophe shook me to the core.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVIE NICKS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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