This track features lyrics written by bassist Ben Shepherd, and is one of two tracks to credit Shepherd as the only writer.
Clocking in at 6 minutes and 10 seconds, this track is one of the longest off of the album.
Head Down
Soundgarden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see that smile
I see that smile on your face
We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We see that smile on your face
We see you dance
We take that away every day
We see you cry
We turn your head
Then we slap your face
Bow down, bow down
Bow down, live your life
Head down, head down
Head down, hide that smile
Head high, head high
Head high, you've got to smile
Head high, head high
Head high, you've got to smile
I see you try, I see you fail
Some things will never change
We hear you cry, we hear you wail
We steal that smile on your face
Bow down, bow down
Bow down, live your life
Head down, head down
Head down, hide that smile
Head high, head high
Head high, you've got to smile
Head high, head high
Head high, a song you like
The lyrics of Soundgarden's song "Head Down" reflect the theme of oppression and the struggles of individuals who are constantly being suppressed by those in power. The song starts off by talking about the smile on someone's face, which is juxtaposed against the cries of that person. The lyrics then go on to talk about how the oppressors take away the happiness of the oppressed every day, making them cry and turning their heads. The chorus talks about bowing down and living life with the head down, hiding that smile. However, the verses contradict this and suggest that people should keep their heads high and smile despite the challenges they face.
The lyrics of the song show how people in power often manipulate those who are vulnerable and suppress their freedom of expression. The song suggests that despite the challenges people face, they should not give up and should keep their heads high, smiling through the adversity.
In conclusion, 'Head Down' is a powerful and emotive song that discusses the struggles of being oppressed and living under the constant fear of those in power. It encourages people to keep their heads high and to always smile, despite the challenges they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
I see that smile
We notice the facade you put on with your smile
We hear you cry
We acknowledge the pain you're experiencing
We see you laugh
We observe little moments of happiness that you seek
We see you cry
We view your vulnerability as weakness
Bow down, bow down, bow down, live your life
Succumb to societal norms and expectations and forget about true happiness
Head down, head down, head down, hide that smile
Don't let your true emotions show or you'll be judged
Head high, head high, head high, you've got to smile
Even when things are tough, keep your head up and keep pretending to be happy
I see you try, I see you fail
We witness your struggles, despite how much effort you put in
We hear you cry, we hear you wail, we steal that smile on your face
Your show of negative emotions makes us uncomfortable and we want you to fake your happiness again
Head high, head high, head high, a song you like
Listen to music as an escape from the world that is trying to suffocate you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Hunter Benedict Shepherd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anonymoususer2756
1. The Day I Tried To Live
2. Limo Wreck
3. Like Suicide
4. Superunknown
5. 4th Of July
6. Head Down
7. Let Me Drown
8. Fell On Black Days
9. Mailman
10. Fresh Tendrils
11. Black Hole Sun
12. My Wave
13. Half
Big drop off
14. Kickstand
15. Spoonman
Would be a perfect album if it weren’t for those two. Smh.
@soundgardener4940
Gotta love blunt as fuck Youtube comments...
Vladimir Putin: "How do you know this?! You found the secret, didn't you? The cyrillic letters on the cover, the lifeforms on the inner sleeve, yes, I see it in your eyes..YOU PIERCED THE CODE!
Track five! THE SUPERUNKNOWN! The secret to limitless, free energy...A SPINNING VORTEX! Exemplified by the guitar riff on the title track...ever-ascending, rising up and up, to a climax surely? Yet...no, it only goes around. Seeming ascendancy, just an illusion; like an Escher sketch, da? Haha, brilliant, Mister Thayil, brilliant.
Kim Thayil: "Oh, sorry, I was humming, didn't catch that. Hey, you dig, ah...contraband? Nice. Here you go...no you finish it.
You finished? Okay, check it out: you see this spoon?
Vladimir: "Kim, I no crazy. Is no spoon, man."
Kim: CHOKE! COUGH COUGH COUGH
Vladimir: "Oh, haha, I get! Haha! Now, come together with your hands, while I do Kossack dance, go!"
Kim: "Alive...in the SuperUnknown, heh..."
@Pride317
Lyrics
I see that smile
I see that smile
I see that smile
On your face
We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We see that smile
On your face
We see you laugh
We see you dance
We take that
Away every day
We see you cry
We turn your head
Then we slap your face
Bow down
Bow down
Bow down
With your life
Head down
Head down
Head down
Hide that smile
Head high
Head high
Head high
You've got to smile
Head high
Head high
Head high
You've got to smile
I see you try
I see you fail
Some things
Never change
We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We steal that smile
On your face
Bow down
Bow down
Bow down
Live your life
Head down
Head down
Head down
Hide that smile
Head high
Head high
Head high
You've got to smile
Head high
Head high
Head high
Like a song you like
Lyrics: Ben Shepherd
@dixienourmous10
I see that smile
I see that smile
I see that smile on your face
We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We see that smile on your face
[Verse 2]
We see you laugh
We see you dance
We take that away every day
We see you cry
We turn your head
Then we slap your face
[Chorus 1]
Bow down
Bow down
Bow down with your life
Head down
Head down
Head down hide that smile
Head high
Head high
Head high you've got to smile
Head high
Head high
Head high you've got to smile
[Verse 3]
We see you try
We see you fail
Some things never change
We hear you cry
We hear you wail
We steal that smile on your face
[Chorus 2]
Bow down
Bow down
Bow down live your life
Head down
Head down
Head down hide that smile
Head high
Head high
Head high you've got to smile
Head high
Head high
Head high like a song you like
@spartanhillfarm6202
One of the most underrated Soudgarden songs ever.
@jamesfischer86
Perhaps-maybe-my favorite.
@veinbanger9381
I wanna say Mind Riot
@fredsinternetisland137
Yep
@michaelpuckett6138
One of my all time favorites
@SaturdayMourningCarTunes
One of my favorites also!
@Coletrain164
It's ridiculous how underrated this song is.
@jamesriver3745
Indeed. Haunting lyrics and vocals, and The drum work at the end is sick
@geraldstamour1312
Absolutely! It's so [CENSORED] dope!
@Tyler-lk9dl
There’s such an odd beauty to this song that I don’t quite understand, I just can’t put my finger what exactly it is. Whatever the case may be, it’s easily among the finest songs ever written.