I Am A Rock
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am alone, gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock, I am an island
I've built walls, a fortress deep and mighty that none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
Don't talk of love well I've heard the words before
It's sleeping in my memory
And I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock, I am an island
I have my books and my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock, I am an island
The opening lines of The Hollies' hit song "I Am A Rock" paint vivid imagery of a cold winter day in December, with the singer gazing from his window at the snow-covered street below. The lyrics delve into the isolating nature of human emotions, as the singer declares himself to be a "rock" and an "island." He has built walls, a fortress that none may penetrate, and sees no need for friendship as it only causes pain. He even goes as far as to disdain laughter and love, claiming that he will not disturb the slumber of feelings that have died within him. The singer is resolute in his isolation, finding refuge in his books and poetry, shielded within the safety of his "womb."
The lyrics of "I Am A Rock" speak to the universal human need for connection and relationships. They highlight the sense of despair and loneliness that can be felt when someone becomes emotionally guarded and isolated. The lyrics are sometimes interpreted as a commentary on society during the time the song was written, with the emphasis on individualism and the rise of the counterculture movement. However, the themes examined in the song can be timeless and relatable to anyone at any age, regardless of societal context.
Line by Line Meaning
A winter's day, in a deep and dark December
I'm in a dark and low mood on this cold winter day.
I am alone, gazing from my window to the streets below
I'm watching people pass by while being isolated from them.
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
The snow has covered the city, making it quiet and peaceful.
I am a rock, I am an island
I am completely self-sufficient and independent.
I've built walls, a fortress deep and mighty that none may penetrate
I have emotionally closed myself off from anyone who tries to get close to me.
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
Having friends in the past has caused me pain, so I don't need or want any more of them.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I dislike both laughter and love because they make me vulnerable.
Don't talk of love well I've heard the words before
I've been hurt by love in the past and don't want to hear about it anymore.
It's sleeping in my memory
I still remember love, but it's dormant and not something I want to revisit.
And I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
I won't wake up my past feelings for someone who's no longer in my life.
If I never loved I never would have cried
I regret feeling pain from love, and I wouldn't feel this way if I had never opened myself up to it.
I have my books and my poetry to protect me
I find solace in my artistic outlets and use them as a defense mechanism to avoid intimacy with others.
I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I'm fully protected in my private space and feel safe and secure there.
I touch no one and no one touches me
I don't let anyone physically or emotionally get close to me.
I am a rock, I am an island
I am completely self-sufficient and independent, and I don't need anyone else in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
A winter's day in a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window to the street below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
Don't talk of love
Well, I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
Don't disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved, I never would have cried
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
I build walls
A fortress deep and might
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
[Chorus 2x:]
I am a rock I am an island
Early Bird
workonapp.weebly.com
jane oughton
the hollies sang a lot of songs we didnt know about ,such talent gave them a free run with any song ,,,they could do justice to any type of song ...xxx
Harrisonianne
Algunos piensan que es demasiado feliz para la letra, yo aquí veo la otra cara de la moneda la otra manera de que no te importe estar en soledad, y es justo el mérito de la versión. Es asombroso porque uno no se hubiera imaginado que pudiese adquirir otra vibra con la misma letra.
Fred Cooper
This absolutely should have been released as a single. One of their "Greatest Hits" to my ears.
kskyberg
One of my all time Hollies favourites!
Diana Mersey
Great song ! I like it so much !!!!! Kudos for it !
genaro baldonado
this cover by the Hollies i will also safekeep in my heart to the grave......i thought this cover greatly helped in immortalizing the song up to now......together with simon and garfunkel, the original recorder one year earlier.....
David Horwitz
genaro baldonado I agree
n00se
A winter's day in a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window to the street below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
Don't talk of love
Well, I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
Don't disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved, I never would have cried
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
I build walls
A fortress deep and might
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
[Chorus:]
I am a rock I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
[Chorus 2x:]
I am a rock I am an island
jasann54
I am so glad that this is back. As usual, the Hollies do a wonderfully upbeat cover of the original.