Where Idols Once Stood
Thrice Lyrics


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Our idols lay in ruins
We'd have saved them if we could, but we still choose to worship
The places where our idols stood
Still believing they can save us

I've lived this way to long to turn back now
Presuppositions set in stone
This coffin sealed by my own pride
And though it seems the sun will shine

I'll draw the shades and stay inside
If we've learned anything at all
It's that the ghosts of idols will do just as well

We all see what we want to anyway
Some things are better left unsaid
You know what's at stake, some things are better left unsaid
As long as we keep it in textbooks, then we'll be untouchable




We hate to lie to children
But after all, it's all for their own good

Overall Meaning

Thrice's song Where Idols Once Stood is a commentary on the human tendency to cling onto false idols even when they have been torn down or proven to be false. The first verse speaks of our desire to save our idols even when they are in ruins. This represents our tendency to hold onto our beliefs even when they have been proven to be false. The second verse speaks of the singer's own inability to turn back from these beliefs, even when they know that they are wrong. This is represented by the line "Presuppositions set in stone, this coffin sealed by my own pride."


The chorus reflects on the fact that we often cling to our beliefs even though we know deep down that they are false. We continue to worship the places where our idols once stood, in the hope that they might somehow save us. The bridge touches on our desire to protect future generations from the same mistakes that we have made. It suggests that, by keeping our false beliefs in textbooks and history books, we can protect future generations from repeating the same mistakes. However, the line "We hate to lie to children, but after all, it's all for their own good" suggests that this isn't necessarily the best approach.


Overall, Thrice's song Where Idols Once Stood is a thought-provoking commentary on the human tendency to cling onto false beliefs even when they have been proven to be false. It touches on the difficulties of breaking away from these beliefs and the fear we have of letting go of something that we have invested so much time and energy in. At the same time, it encourages us to think critically about our beliefs and to be willing to let go of them if they are proven to be false.


Line by Line Meaning

Our idols lay in ruins
The things we used to worship have been destroyed and ruined.


We'd have saved them if we could, but we still choose to worship
Though we couldn't save them, we still choose to worship our idols.


The places where our idols stood Still believing they can save us
We still believe that the places where our idols used to be can save us.


I've lived this way to long to turn back now
I've been living like this for too long to change now.


Presuppositions set in stone
The things we believe are fixed and unchangeable.


This coffin sealed by my own pride
My own pride has trapped me in a coffin, from which I cannot escape.


And though it seems the sun will shine
Though things might seem hopeful or optimistic,


I'll draw the shades and stay inside
I'll choose to ignore the hope and stay stuck in my ways.


If we've learned anything at all
If there's anything we're supposed to have learned from this all,


It's that the ghosts of idols will do just as well
It's that the memory of what we used to worship is just as good as the real thing.


We all see what we want to anyway
We interpret things based on our own personal biases and desires.


Some things are better left unsaid
There are some things that are best kept to ourselves, and not spoken aloud.


You know what's at stake, some things are better left unsaid
There are certain risks involved, which is why some things are better kept to ourselves.


As long as we keep it in textbooks, then we'll be untouchable
As long as we keep our beliefs and history in books, we'll be protected from criticism or change.


We hate to lie to children
We don't want to deceive or lie to children.


But after all, it's all for their own good
But ultimately, we justify our lies to children by telling ourselves that it's for their own benefit.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TEPPEI TERANISHI

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

@taoisttiger4702

Our idols lay in ruins
We'd have saved them if we could, but we still choose to worship
The places where our idols stood
Still believing they can save us

I've lived this way to long to turn back now
Presuppositions set in stone
This coffin sealed by my own pride
And though it seems the sun will shine

I'll draw the shades and stay inside
If we've learned anything at all
It's that the ghosts of idols will do just as well

We all see what we want to anyway
Some things are better left unsaid
You know what's at stake, some things are better left unsaid
As long as we keep it in textbooks, then we'll be untouchable
We hate to lie to children
But after all, it's all for their own good



All comments from YouTube:

@thestoebz

My favorite album of all time. They got me into post hardcore and other music after! I remember first hearing this in 2002 and falling in love. i was just a kid 🥲

@nathanchildress5596

This album is one of my all time favs. I like the later stuff too, but I wish they sounded like this forever.

@sly11benal7

Love this track.....criminally underrated song!

@mikeobryant3367

Like x 1000

@tthomasr

Let's go!

@obe0540

This whole album is dope front to back.

@mikeobryant3367

Thrice was such a great band. Amazing lyrics. Loved to mosh at the live shows back in the day...so much energy!

@user-wv5gv3dw5u

*Is

@alexmac7359

@@user-wv5gv3dw5u *was. New stuff GARBAGE

@chrisherrera5769

@@alexmac7359 Bad take

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