Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
The Fall
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
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Like messages of love and directions to your door
But please talk slowly, I don't hear good anymore
And we all fall down
And we all fall down
Don't die on me lady, only good things can come
To those who practice reason and recognize good fun
And we all fall down
And we all fall down
She still doesn't answer though she knows shes done wrong
We buried the memories along with the songs
When she wakes up, I hope that we are gone
And we all fall down
And we all fall down
There's a visitor in black at my neighbors house
My neighbor says tomorrow the visitor says now
When he comes here please tell him that I'm out
And we all fall down
And we all fall down
The Avett Brother's song, The Fall, is a poignant reflection on life's struggles and the inevitability of falling at some point. The opening lines, "Well bring me something new that I haven't felt before, Like messages of love and directions to your door," set the tone for a desire for change and a search for something more meaningful in life. The singer is seeking guidance and inspiration, but they note that their hearing is not what it once was, suggesting a certain fatigue and perhaps disillusionment with the world.
The lyrics take a darker turn when the singer pleads with a lady not to "die," implying either a real or symbolic death. Only "good things can come to those who practice reason and recognize good fun," the singer suggests, underscoring the importance of living life in a balanced way. The lady's "absence is the bullet and the past is your gun," which suggests that the lessons of the past have been weaponized in some way. The phrase, "And we all fall down," is repeated throughout the song, further emphasizing the idea that no one is immune to the struggles and difficulties of life.
In the final verse, the lyrics are simplified and more cryptic, as the singer observes a "visitor in black" at their neighbor's house. The neighbor warns that the visitor is coming, but the singer asks to be told they are "out" when the visitor arrives. This verse can be interpreted in many ways, but it hints at a sense of paranoia or foreboding and a desire to avoid confronting the challenges of life.
Overall, The Fall is a reflective and melancholic song that speaks to the universal human experience of struggling and falling at some point in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well bring me something new that I haven't felt before
I crave a sensation that is totally novel and exciting to me.
Like messages of love and directions to your door
I desire both emotional connection and physical navigation to your location.
But please talk slowly, I don't hear good anymore
I'm not as sharp as I once was, so give me time to process what you're saying.
And we all fall down
No matter how hard we try, sooner or later we're going to stumble and fail.
Don't die on me lady, only good things can come
I implore you not to perish, since great experiences are still ahead for you.
To those who practice reason and recognize good fun
If you're rational and can appreciate enjoyment, then you'll have a fulfilling life.
Your absence is the bullet and the past is your gun
You don't have to be physically aggressive to wound someone; simply being absent and living in the past can be hurtful.
She still doesn't answer though she knows shes done wrong
Despite being aware of her mistake, she refuses to respond.
We buried the memories along with the songs
We've tried to move on from the past, but it still haunts us and colors our present experiences.
When she wakes up, I hope that we are gone
I wish to be gone by the time she wakes, as I don't want to confront her for her error.
There's a visitor in black at my neighbors house
A somber visitor has arrived at my neighbor's home, likely with bad news.
My neighbor says tomorrow the visitor says now
My neighbor thinks there's still time, but the visitor insists that action must be taken immediately.
When he comes here please tell him that I'm out
I don't want to deal with this visitor, so please say I'm unavailable if he comes looking for me.
And we all fall down
Despite our best efforts, we can't always avoid failure or calamity.
And we all fall down
Even after we stumble, we must pick ourselves up and keep going.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAWFORD, SCOTT YANCEY AVETT, TIMOTHY SETH AVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind