In the summer of 2010, Harrington and Wright were playing for spare change in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace. In two short years since, Tall Heights has headlined packed listening rooms across New England, toured down to Austin, TX to showcase at South By Southwest Music Festival, and performed alongside national acts like David Wilcox, Ryan Montbleau, and Andrew Belle.
For the duo’s debut full-length effort, Man of Stone (May, 2013), Tall Heights returned to the home studio, sinking deeper into the vast world they’ve meticulously built for two. The title track and first single, Man of Stone, recalls a time when cavemen documented day-to-day existence on the walls of their stone-sheltered dwellings. “Emblems of cavemen they taught me / the importance of typing in bold,” contextualizes the rest of the record and challenges a careful listener to view each song as a vital documentation of what is both banal and extraordinary. The record exists in a fire-lit, shadowy space for their growing army of fans to inhabit. After two powerful EPs, Rafters (2011) and the Running of the Bulls EP (2012), there has been a growing cry for more from these young artists, and Tall Heights delivers with an LP of grand vision and scale.
RECENT PRAISE
“Tall Heights’s delicate melodies and gentle harmonies create a rare public space where the people can slow down, even stop, and suspend the chaos of city life in exchange for some really great music.”-Meghna Chakrabarti, NPR
“if you still remember how happy your ears were when you first listened to Bon Iver or Arcade Fire and realized you’d stumbled into singer/songwriter oblivion… you can trust me when I say this show is worth seeing.” – Boston Magazine
“…beautiful harmonies, exquisite musicianship, intricate songwriting. I love it when the bar is set so high” –David Wilcox
Man of Stone
Tall Heights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Painting the faith on my soul
Baring my teeth just to hold on
Practice the art of control
Emblems of cavemen they taught me
The importance of typing in bold
The weight of a simple depiction
As the hour grows
As the hour grows
I know that I can keep the voice of doubt from speaking on its own
Cuz I’ve always been a silent figure
And I’ve never been a man of stone
I sure don't have eyes like an eagle's
I couldn't be waiting for war
Why should I think that I'd have survived
In the days of yore
But the gifts of the Greeks oh they taught me
Radio favors the bold
The key to survival is pleasing your rivals
Till the days unfold
As the hour grows
As the hour grows
I know that I can keep the voice of doubt from speaking on its own
Cuz I’ve always been a silent figure
And I’ve never been a man of stone
Yeah the fevers of Wallace they taught me
That wisdom began with a cold
So let me grow feeble and fragile
As the days unfold
In "Man of Stone," Tall Heights explore the notion of identity and the battle to maintain control. The first verse describes the physical and spiritual aspects of how the singer represents themselves - wearing a name on their body and painting faith on their soul. The second verse draws from the past, invoking the emblems of cavemen as a reminder of the weight that comes with simple depictions. As the hour grows, the singer understands that self-doubt is always lingering, but they trust their ability to withstand it. This confidence comes from feeling like a silent figure, never a man of stone.
The third verse seems to shift focus to what the singer has learned from history and wisdom, and how it has helped them navigate this internal struggle. The gifts of the Greeks taught the value of boldness, while the fevers of Wallace taught the importance of starting with a cold (i.e. a clear mind). In the final line, the singer expresses a willingness to embrace their own fragility, as long as they continue to learn and grow.
Overall, "Man of Stone" is a reflection on how one's sense of self is influenced by both personal values and external factors like history and culture. Despite the constant threat of doubt, the singer finds strength in their ability to adapt and remain true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Wearing the name on my body
I carry my identity on my physical being
Painting the faith on my soul
My beliefs are ingrained into the essence of who I am
Baring my teeth just to hold on
I must fight to survive and overcome challenges
Practice the art of control
I must learn to manage my emotions and reactions
Emblems of cavemen they taught me
Primitive symbolism taught me important lessons
The importance of typing in bold
Assertiveness and boldness can be powerful tools of expression
The weight of a simple depiction
Even small actions and symbols can carry significant meaning
As the days unfold
Over time, I am constantly learning and growing
As the hour grows
As time passes and situations change
I know that I can keep the voice of doubt from speaking on its own
I am capable of silencing my own self-doubt
Cuz I’ve always been a silent figure
I am naturally quiet and introspective
And I’ve never been a man of stone
I am not emotionless or unfeeling
I sure don't have eyes like an eagle's
I do not possess exceptional abilities or gifts
I couldn't be waiting for war
I am not cut out for conflict or combat
Why should I think that I'd have survived
I am not equipped for survival in an earlier time period
But the gifts of the Greeks oh they taught me
Ancient wisdom has much to offer in terms of life lessons
Radio favors the bold
Boldness and assertiveness can lead to success
The key to survival is pleasing your rivals
Maintaining good relationships with competitors can be advantageous
Yeah the fevers of Wallace they taught me
The experiences of a historical figure taught me a valuable lesson
That wisdom began with a cold
Sometimes, important lessons can come from uncomfortable experiences
So let me grow feeble and fragile
I am okay with vulnerability and weakness
As the days unfold
Over time, I am constantly learning and growing
Contributed by Jordan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dudeproductions5394
I first listened to this song ten years ago after a loved one died. This song has haunted my mind and I have now found it. Thanks for the song.
@siennakupris9183
The harmonies in this song are amazing! Love it so much!
@joeljoseph1832
You guys are awesome! Can't believe I just found out about you all, can't wait for more 👍👌
@aaronwinter1980
Love this song. Bravo from Tunisia
@animalgal999
Why do these cellists always seem like total masters? :D
@houeelfz
love all your songs.
@GaSpItZHaNnAh18
Saw these guys in Northampton MA last night! So good
@9UaYXxB
Great poetry from these two.
@Truth-zn6hh
Love Tall Heights!!
@Mysteriousheadlines
Love this so much! I have loved you guys since you played at Westminster in March!