Old Age
The Hole Lyrics
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I'm so high I cannot walk
And I will await
You cripple
You take away my pride
My peace, my empathy
No babies sleep on atrophy
Your unborn love and fetal stress
What was she for Halloween?
The ugliest girl you've ever seen
Someday she will die alone
What was she for Valentine's?
An old forgotten concubine
Someday she will die for no one
She seems to me to know
All that glitters is sour
All the lies in her place
Jesus saves
Old age
Old age
Old age
It's okay to kill your idols
Just pretend you have no rivals
We all know that she is friendless
Spits at mirrors; it's not an issue
Just remove the hateful tissues
We all know her rage is endless
She seems to me to know
All that glitters is sour
All the lies in her place
Jesus saves
Old age
Old age
Old age
Old age
And then she begs and she says "Pretty please?
I'll make her pure again; I'll make her clean"
No one knows she's Hester Prynne
Someone please tell Anne Boleyn
Chokers are back in again
Someday she won't have to fake it
Living will itself seem sacred
Someday she will just refuse
She seems to me to know
All that glitters is sour
All the lies in her place
Jesus saves
Old age
Old age
Old age
Jesus saves
Old age
(Rest in pieces) I'm sorry
(Me in pieces) So sorry
(Rest in pieces) I'm sorry
(Me in pieces) So sorry
The lyrics to The Hole's song Old Age are a commentary on the unfulfilling nature of fame and fortune. The singer is addressing someone they see as a ruler or a figure of authority, whom they address as "your highness". The singer seems to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, saying "I'm so high I cannot walk". This is telling of the emotional state the singer is in, given the way fame has affected them.
The "you cripple" may refer to the person in charge exploiting the artist, limiting their ability to truly express themselves through their art while also taking away their sense of self-worth. The person in charge has taken away their "pride, peace, and empathy", leaving only a "legless caress". The singer addresses a woman he describes as "the ugliest girl you've ever seen", who is forgotten by the world. She's described as someone who's living a life of emptiness, without love, happiness or respect. The singer seems to know that everything that seems glamorous is actually hollow, or sour. The lies and the facade of the world, presumably in a reference to the entertainment industry where many embark at a young age.
The entire song is a warning to those in pursuit of fame and fortune, telling them that they will inevitably face regrets and heartaches. The chorus speaks of "Old Age", a state where the person has achieved success but feels empty, and everything is sour. The line "Jesus saves" seems to be a reminder to the singer of their faith, that there's still hope to change the course of their life. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the lines "Rest in pieces. I'm sorry. So sorry", signifying the regret of a life spent in a quest for greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
And I will await your highness
I'll wait for your attention and approval
I'm so high I cannot walk
I'm under the influence of drugs and can barely move
And I will await
I'll keep waiting
You cripple
You disable me mentally and emotionally
You take away my pride
You rob me of my self-respect
My peace, my empathy
You deprive me of my inner peace and compassion
No babies sleep on atrophy
Neglecting your loved ones from warmth will destroy your relationships
Your unborn love and fetal stress
Your lack of love and support cause mental and emotional harm to your loved ones
Hard bitter candy, legless caress
Your actions and words may seem sweet, but they actually result in pain and destruction
What was she for Halloween?
What was she dressed as for trick or treating?
The ugliest girl you've ever seen
She looked quite unattractive, probably intentionally for Halloween
Someday she will die alone
One day, she will pass away without anyone by her side
What was she for Valentine's?
What did she do or receive for Valentine's Day?
An old forgotten concubine
She feels like an abandoned mistress from a bygone era
Someday she will die for no one
She'll pass on without leaving any impact on anyone
She seems to me to know
It appears to me that she understands
All that glitters is sour
Not everything that seems attractive or valuable is actually good
All the lies in her place
Deception, fakeness, and manipulation dominate her environment
Jesus saves
Jesus Christ can bring redemption, healing, and salvation
Old age
Growing old and approaching death
It's okay to kill your idols
It's alright to reject the people or things you admired before
Just pretend you have no rivals
Act as if you don't have any competitors or enemies
We all know that she is friendless
Everyone knows that she doesn't have any genuine friends
Spits at mirrors; it's not an issue
She verbally abuses herself in front of the mirror without feeling guilty
Just remove the hateful tissues
Get rid of the toxic and negative thoughts and behaviors
We all know her rage is endless
Everyone is aware that she harbors immense and perpetual anger
And then she begs and she says "Pretty please?
And then she pleads and asks politely
I'll make her pure again; I'll make her clean"
I'll restore her innocence, goodness, and purity back
No one knows she's Hester Prynne
Nobody realizes she's been stigmatized and judged like the character from The Scarlet Letter
Someone please tell Anne Boleyn
Could someone inform this historical figure's ghost about something?
Chokers are back in again
Necklaces that tightly encircle one's neck are becoming popular again
Someday she won't have to fake it
Someday she will no longer pretend or act a certain way
Living will itself seem sacred
The act of being alive will feel holy and awe-inspiring
Someday she will just refuse
Someday she will simply reject or decline something she used to accept or tolerate
(Rest in pieces) I'm sorry
May you find rest and peace after death. I apologize for something.
(Me in pieces) So sorry
I'm apologetic while I'm also feeling shattered and hurt.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Courtney M Love
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind