Little Things
The Bush Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I bleach the sky
Every night
Loaded on wrong
And further from right
Spinning around
Two howling moons
'Cause they're always there
Whatever I do

The river is loaded
I've been there today
Took it some questions
She does me again
I'd die in your arms
If you were dead too
Here comes a lie
We will always be true

Going up when coming down
Scratch away, away, away, away
It's the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
That little thing that kill

The bigger you give bigger you get
We're boss at denial
But best at forget
Cupboard is empty we really need food
Summer is winter and you always knew

Going up when coming down
Scratch away
It's the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh little little little

Little little little
Little little little

I touch your mouth my will is food
Addicted to love I'm addicted to bull-shit
I kill you once I kill you again
We're starving and crude
Welcome my friends to

To the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh that little little little

Little little little




Here it comes that little things
Here it comes that little ah ah ah ah little, little

Overall Meaning

The Bush's song "Little Things" tells the story of a person who is struggling with addiction and the chaos that comes with it. The lyrics suggest that they feel disconnected from the world and can only find solace in the little things that give them temporary relief from their troubles. The opening lines, "I bleach the sky/Every night/Loaded on wrong/And further from right" describe how this person looks at the world through a distorted lens due to their addiction, and how their actions are taking them further and further from the right path.


The singer then goes on to talk about their encounter with a river, which represents a source of wisdom, but they are unable to access it because of their addiction. They are forced to confront their own mortality, saying, "I'd die in your arms/If you were dead too," implying that they are willing to die for love or to escape their troubles. The song continues with the theme of denial, forgetfulness, and the inability to deal with reality. The lyrics suggest that while the singer tries to ignore their problems, the little things that remind them of their troubles keep tearing at their brains.


The chorus is the most recognizable part of the song, with its repetition of the phrase "It's the little things that kill." The song suggests that it is the small moments and problems in life that can be the most difficult to deal with, and that they can have just as much of an impact as larger issues. The song's end is hopeful, suggesting that the singer is welcoming their friends to the little things that kill, indicating a potential acceptance of their circumstances and a willingness to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

I bleach the sky
I drink heavily until the world turns white


Every night
This is a regular occurrence


Loaded on wrong
Drunk or high at inappropriate times


And further from right
This behavior is leading me away from what's good or correct


Spinning around
My thoughts are not coherent


Two howling moons
I have two influences causing me to act in unpredictable ways


'Cause they're always there
These influences are constant, and I cannot escape them


Whatever I do
No matter my actions


The river is loaded
I have faced difficult and complex situations recently


I've been there today
I had to confront those situations today


Took it some questions
I tried to understand it, but it was confusing


She does me again
The situation overwhelmed me again


I'd die in your arms
I'm so attached to you that I would die for you


If you were dead too
I only want to live if I am with you


Here comes a lie
A falsehood is about to be spoken


We will always be true
Despite the lies, we will remain loyal to each other


Going up when coming down
Emotions are a rollercoaster


Scratch away, away, away, away
Trying to forget something


It's the little things that kill
Small problems can have a big impact on us


Tearing at my brains again
These small problems are causing mental anguish


Oh the little things that kill
This is a repeating pattern


That little thing that kill
A specific small problem that causes damage


The bigger you give bigger you get
The more you invest, the greater the reward


We're boss at denial
We refuse to face the truth


But best at forget
We're really good at forgetting our problems


Cupboard is empty we really need food
We're struggling to provide basic necessities


Summer is winter and you always knew
This situation wasn't unexpected


I touch your mouth my will is food
I need you like I need food


Addicted to love I'm addicted to bull-shit
I'm addicted to toxic relationships


I kill you once I kill you again
This is a continuing pattern of harm


We're starving and crude
We're both lacking basic necessities and behaving harshly


Welcome my friends to
This is the situation we're living in


To the little things that kill
The small problems that are tearing us apart


Oh that little little little
These small problems are pervasive and persistent


Here it comes that little things
Another small problem is on its way


Here it comes that little ah ah ah ah little, little
This problem might be particularly damaging




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GAVIN ROSSDALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@dperez611

I bleach the sky
Every night
Loaded on wrong
And further from right
Spinning around
Two howling moons
'Cause they're always there
Whatever I do

The river is loaded
I've been there today
Took it some questions
She does me again
I'd die in your arms
If you were dead too
Here comes a lie
We will always be true

Going up when coming down
Scratch away, away, away, away
It's the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
That little thing that kill

The bigger you give bigger you get
We're boss at denial
But best at forget
Cupboard is empty we really need food
Summer is winter and you always knew

Going up when coming down
Scratch away
It's the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh little little little

Little little little 
Little little little

I touch your mouth my will is food
Addicted to love I'm addicted to bull-shit
I kill you once I kill you again
We're starving and crude
Welcome my friends to

To the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh the little things that kill
Tearing at my brains again
Oh that little little little

Little little little 
Here it comes that little things 
Here it comes that little ah ah ah ah little, little



All comments from YouTube:

@beatzbyreefah

Bush does NOT get enough recognition. This entire album AND Razorblade Suitcase are masterpieces. Literally the English version of Nirvana. Whenever I ask best bands of the 90s nobody ever mentions Bush but comedown and glycerine stayed on the radio.

@davistalhone9482

English version of Nirvana - that's a good summary. I think that the whole era was just so packed with solid grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, STP, Soundgarden etc.) that a lot of good bands got lost in the proverbial shuffle.

@jacksavage2205

Right and similarly, canned dog food is the dog version of a steak dinner from an upscale restaurant and similarly, one is far superior to the other.

@AshYamz

I hear this song on the Radio still too :)

@lg316

How did they not. Howard Stern was huge in the 90s and constantly raved about them being his favorite band.

@ryanjansen8785

It seemed Sixteen Stone was a hit or even a blast. Swallowed debuted well, Greedy Fly did moderately so and I'm not sure the other three songs off of Razorblade Suitcase really made their marks. Then Bush's next 2 Cd's each had about 1 hit as best recalled, that got some recognition. Eah, huh what happened.... At least Razorback Suitcase seemed like another good replacement for Sixteen Stone.

61 More Replies...

@chadheckler5623

Just saw him live for the third time Saturday night. Still kicking ass My wife and I bought the vip tickets to meet him and the band. All are awesome guys. Keep on rocking Gavin!!!

@jeanettestefanisko5301

@brianhlp30

Nice!

@sonnygunz9207

First concert I ever went to was to see Bush, I was 13 years old. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. This music will never die with me.

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