Failure
The La's Lyrics


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No you can't throw failure over your shoulder
If you don't look after - you gonna look back
No you can't hurry forward, it's holding you back
In the grip of an onset you run for a cover
To hide from your mother and your sister, your brother
Through you long to tell of the stone that remains
You can't move a muscle
You're wrapped up in chains
So you wait in your room - bound to the doom
To talk with the skeleton in the closet
So you waited for days
And you walked in the maze and you lay on your bed
With your head in a daze
And high in a corner in a cupboard on a shelf
You turn a corner and walk into yourself
And you check your condition
And your shape and your health
So you open the door with a look on your face,




Your hands in your pockets and your family to face
And you go downstairs and you sit in your place

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The La's song "Failure" send a message about the inevitability and gravity of failure. The singer advises the audience that they cannot simply brush failure off their shoulders and pretend it never happened. Failure follows individuals, and if they do not take care of their mistakes, they will eventually have to confront them. The lyrics also suggest that rushing to move past failure can actually hinder progress, as individuals need to take the time to analyze and learn from their mistakes before moving forward.


The verses describe running from consequences and hiding from loved ones out of shame or embarrassment. However, the chorus points out that this behavior will not erase or solve the problem. The lyrics convey the idea that failure can be paralyzing, leaving individuals feeling trapped like they are "wrapped up in chains." The song describes a journey of self-exploration, where the singer spends time alone to confront their own inner demons and come to terms with their failures. The song concludes with the singer returning to their family and their place at the table, indicating that they are ready to move forward and face the consequences of their actions.


Line by Line Meaning

No you can't throw failure over your shoulder
You can't simply forget about your failures and mistakes


If you don't look after - you gonna look back
If you don't take care of yourself and your problems, they will come back to haunt you


No you can't hurry forward, it's holding you back
Trying to rush through life and move on too quickly can actually prevent you from moving forward


In the grip of an onset you run for a cover
When facing difficulties, you may try to find a way to escape or hide from them


To hide from your mother and your sister, your brother
You may try to avoid confronting those closest to you about your problems


Through you long to tell of the stone that remains
You may have a desire to reveal the struggles that you are still facing but feel unable to


You can't move a muscle
You feel stuck and unable to take action


You're wrapped up in chains
You feel weighed down and restricted by your problems


So you wait in your room - bound to the doom
You may stay isolated in a place of negativity and despair


To talk with the skeleton in the closet
You may confront the dark secrets and inner demons that you have been hiding from


So you waited for days
You may wait for a long time in hopes of things getting better


And you walked in the maze and you lay on your bed
You may feel lost and confused, retreating to a place of rest and reflection


With your head in a daze
You may feel mentally overwhelmed and confused


And high in a corner in a cupboard on a shelf
Your problems may be hidden away, out of sight but still present


You turn a corner and walk into yourself
You may confront yourself and your emotional state head-on


And you check your condition
You assess your physical and emotional state


And your shape and your health
You evaluate your overall well-being


So you open the door with a look on your face,
You may approach the challenges you face with determination and resolve


Your hands in your pockets and your family to face
You confront the issues that involve those closest to you


And you go downstairs and you sit in your place
You face the situation and take action, despite the difficulties involved




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEE MAVERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Nigel johnson

The opening is the best. And just the sound of his voice is the reason why I love this so much.

Kelly MacLeod

My favorite La's song from a lyrics standpoint.

Elephantstone

Such relation to this. Felt like this for ten years on the gear growing up. Still partake once every couple a years. Sit in your place.

zatoichiche

Love the lyrics in this, propper trippy

Oliver B

iconique . Meilleur album popbrit pour toujours ..........

HamptonInjuryLawyer

awesomeness

astro boi

true but given that he is one of the greatest songwriters to ever come out of the UK i think he is entitled to talk a lil bit o' bollocks lol

Joe Stunner Music

Could the bass-line growl any harder? I don't think so...

Gareth H

Tune!!!!

TheMerseyBoy

Boss song about Failure - end of story!

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