Falling Down
Tears for Fears Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is this world spinning round
Has this ship run aground
What's that shape
What's that sound
That's just me falling down

Some of us are free
Some are bound
Some will swim
Some will drown
Some of us are saints
Some are clowns
Just like me they're falling down

Well I lied to the nation
While my reputation ran dry
From my lungs to my liver
I clung to the river bank's side
Yeah well I'm back in the water
Doing what I ought to
Trying to lead an ordinary life

Is this world spinning round
Has this ship run aground
What's that shape
What's that sound
That's just me falling down

Some of us are green
Some are brown
Some are lost
Some are found
Sight unseen baby
Sound on sound
Pray for me I'm falling down

I was lost in the jungle
Crossed over enemy lines
Well I got me a red nose
By sleeping under hedgerows at night
Yeah well I tried levitation
Flying in formation
Heaven knows the weight of this crime

Is this
Is this world spinning round
Has this ship run aground
What's that shape
What's that sound
That's just me falling down





Falling down
Falling down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tears for Fears’s song “Falling Down” is a reflection of a person’s failures and shortcomings in life. The first few lines set the tone for the song’s despair and confusion, as the singer questions the world he lives in and his place in it. The world seems to be spinning out of control, a ship has run aground, and everything seems to be in disarray. The singer feels lost and unsure, hearing a strange sound and seeing a shape that is unfamiliar. He feels like he himself is falling down, succumbing to his emotional breakdown. The second verse of the song reveals the singer’s past mistakes and how it has affected his life. He admits to lying to the nation and losing his reputation. The line, “From my lungs to my liver, I clung to the river bank's side” suggests that he has been through a great deal of turmoil, but he is holding on for dear life. The bridge of the song talks about how some of us are successful, while others lead a life of misery. The singer admits that he is one of the latter who is “falling down”.


The verses represent a few experiences from the singer’s life, and how he continues to make mistakes, experiencing the highs and lows of life equally. This message of the song is one of perseverance, that no matter how much we fall or how much we lose, we should keep getting back up and trying again. It’s an encouragement that life is a journey full of ups and downs, but we must embrace it no matter what comes our way.


Line by Line Meaning

Is this world spinning round
The songwriter is expressing confusion and feelings of disorientation about the state of the world.


Has this ship run aground
The songwriter is questioning if the world or their own life has lost direction or purpose.


What's that shape
The songwriter is noticing something unfamiliar, possibly referring to encountering an unknown challenge.


What's that sound
The songwriter is noticing something unexpected or disruptive, possibly referring to experiencing negative emotions.


That's just me falling down
The songwriter is acknowledging their own struggle and distress, which mirrors the struggles of everyone else falling down.


Some of us are free
The songwriter recognizes that some people enjoy more freedom than others in society.


Some are bound
The songwriter recognizes that some people are restrained or limited in what they can do in society.


Some will swim
Some people may succeed or thrive despite challenges.


Some will drown
Some people may struggle or fail despite their best efforts.


Some of us are saints
Some people are moral and righteous according to societal standards.


Some are clowns
Some people are foolish or ridiculous according to societal standards.


Just like me they're falling down
Everyone struggles, and the songwriter sees their own struggles mirrored in the struggles of others.


Well I lied to the nation
The songwriter has deceived people on a large scale.


While my reputation ran dry
The songwriter's reputation became tarnished over time.


From my lungs to my liver
The songwriter's lies have taken a physical and emotional toll on them.


I clung to the river bank's side
The songwriter has held onto safety and stability in the face of adversity.


Yeah well I'm back in the water
The songwriter is beginning to face their problems head-on.


Doing what I ought to
The songwriter is trying to do the right thing to correct their mistakes.


Trying to lead an ordinary life
The songwriter is trying to regain normalcy in their life after experiencing chaos and difficulty.


Some of us are green
The songwriter is acknowledging that some people are inexperienced or naive.


Some are brown
The songwriter is acknowledging that some people are experienced or wise.


Some are lost
The songwriter is acknowledging that some people are uncertain or directionless in their lives.


Some are found
The songwriter is acknowledging that some people find their way and achieve success or stability.


Sight unseen baby
The songwriter is emphasizing that some situations or people are not fully understood or known.


Sound on sound
The songwriter is emphasizing the constant noise and chaos of life.


Pray for me I'm falling down
The songwriter is acknowledging their own struggle and asking for support from others.


I was lost in the jungle
The songwriter has felt lost and overwhelmed by their circumstances.


Crossed over enemy lines
The songwriter has encountered opposition or hostility.


Well I got me a red nose
The songwriter has suffered and endured hardship, like a circus clown.


By sleeping under hedgerows at night
The songwriter has struggled to find shelter or security for themselves.


Yeah well I tried levitation
The songwriter has tried to rise above their problems and challenges.


Flying in formation
The songwriter has tried to find a sense of order or purpose among their struggles and challenges.


Heaven knows the weight of this crime
The songwriter acknowledges the consequences and severity of their wrongdoing or mistakes.


Falling down
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the constant struggle and adversity that all people encounter in their lives.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROLAND ORZABAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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