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Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics

How did Camus really die that night?
The first line talks about the death of Albert Camus and questions its true cause.

Were they right, when he died was it really his time?
The singer asks if Camus' death was meant to happen or if something else was at play.

Or was it suicide?
The singer wonders if Camus committed suicide.

And Holden Caufield is a friend of mine
The artist is friends with Holden Caufield, the character from 'The Catcher in the Rye'.

We go drinking from time to time
The artist and Holden Caufield enjoy drinking together occasionally.

And I find: it gets harder every time
The singer acknowledges that drinking with Holden Caufield is starting to become harder as time goes on.

Back off
The singer tells someone to back off.

But your out on the street again
The person being told to back off is out on the street again.

Don't you stop
The artist urges the person being told to back off to not stop.

Did you know you couldn't swim?
The artist questions if the person being told to back off is aware that they cannot swim.

Until your on the street again
The singer tells the person being told to back off to stay off the street until they are supposed to be there.

I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win
The artist will not participate in something if they do not believe they have a chance at winning.

Well Hemmingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life
The singer notes that Hemmingway did not seem to care about living an ordinary life.

And I find: it gets harder every time.
The singer again acknowledges that something they are experiencing is becoming more difficult over time.

So he aimed a shotgun into the blue
The singer says Hemmingway pointed his shotgun towards the sky.

Placed his face between the two and sighed: 'Here's to life!'
Hemmingway placed his face between the two barrels of his shotgun and said 'Here's to life!' before taking his own life.

Hey there Salinger what did you do
The artist questions J.D. Salinger's actions.

Just when the world was looking to you
The world was counting on Salinger to produce something meaningful.

To write anything that meant anything
The world wants Salinger to write something important and impactful.

You told us you were through
Salinger announced that he was finished writing.

And its been years since you passed away
The artist notes that years have passed since Salinger's death.

But I see no plaque and I see no grave
The artist observes that there is no plaque or grave to commemorate Salinger.

And I can't help believing that you wanted it this way.
The singer thinks that Salinger chose to not have any formal recognition of his life and death.

And Vincent Van Gogh why do you weep?
The artist addresses Vincent Van Gogh and asks why he is crying.

You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
The singer is suggesting that Van Gogh was on his way to some kind of salvation, but the road was difficult.

And who was there to break your fall?
The singer wonders if anyone was there to help Van Gogh when he needed it most.

We're guilty, one and all
The singer feels that everyone is at least partially at fault for Van Gogh's tragic end.

And I don't know much but I do know this
The artist admits they do not have all the answers, but knows one thing for certain.

With a golden heart comes a rebel fist
The artist believes that those with pure hearts have a rebellious streak.

But I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit
The singer agrees with those who would not give up or give in to the struggles of life.

And it makes me sick when I think of it
The singer feels sick when they think about something.

All my heroes could not live with this
The artist notes that their heroes struggled with something they could not handle.

And I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did
The artist hopes that their own heroes have found peace, even if they never found it in their lives.

And you were much too young
The artist is acknowledging that one of their heroes died at a young age.

And you changed my life
The singer is stating that their hero had a significant impact on their life.

But I draw the line at suicide
The artist believes that suicide is unacceptable and will not support it.

So here's to life!
The song concludes with a toast to life.