When Heroes Go Down
Vega Suzanne Lyrics
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They go down fast
So don't expect any time to
Equivocate the past
When heroes go down
They land in flame
So don't expect any slow and careful
I heard you say
You look out for the feet of clay
That someone will be falling next
Without the chance
For last respects
You feel the disappointment
When heroes go down
Man or woman revealed
You can't expect any kind of mercy
On the battlefield
I heard you say
You look out for the feet of clay
That someone will be falling next
Without the chance for last respects
You feel the disappointment
When heroes go down
Man or woman revealed
Do you show any kind of mercy
On the battlefield?
When heroes go down
When heroes go down
When heroes go down
In Vega Suzanne's song "When Heroes Go Down," she sings about the fall of heroes and the quick and fiery nature in which it often happens. She warns against expecting any kind of resolution or closure when a hero falls, and instead emphasizes the messy and chaotic aftermath that often follows. The lyrics also touch on the idea that there is no mercy or forgiveness on the battlefield, where heroes are both made and destroyed.
The line "You look out for the feet of clay" refers to the metaphorical weakness or flaw that every person has, including heroes. The idea is that if you focus too much on finding the flaws of others, you will miss the bigger picture and be blindsided when someone you thought was a hero falls. The lyrics ultimately suggest that heroes are complex and flawed individuals, and the act of putting someone on a pedestal only sets them up for a more dramatic fall.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the human tendency to idealize and idolize individuals, only to tear them down when they inevitably fail to live up to our expectations. It is a reminder that everyone is capable of making mistakes and being vulnerable, and that true heroism lies in the ability to acknowledge and learn from one's own flaws.
Line by Line Meaning
When heroes go down
The downfall of heroes is sudden and unpredictable.
They go down fast
Heroes fall quickly and without warning.
So don't expect any time to
Equivocate the past
Don't try to analyze the causes of their downfall after they have fallen.
They land in flame
Their reputation and public image are destroyed.
So don't expect any slow and careful
Settling of blame
Blame will be assigned quickly, without a chance for discussion or explanation.
I heard you say
You look out for the feet of clay
That someone will be falling next
Without the chance
For last respects
You feel the disappointment
You know that even the best of us have flaws, and sooner or later, someone will fall from grace. You regret that there won't be any time to mourn, and that people will be harshly judged.
Man or woman revealed
The true nature of the person will be exposed.
You can't expect any kind of mercy
On the battlefield
People will be ruthless and unforgiving during the downfall of heroes.
Do you show any kind of mercy
On the battlefield?
The singer questions whether it's fair to be so harsh to people who have fallen from grace.
When heroes go down
The chorus repeats the main theme of the song, emphasizing how sudden the downfall of heroes can be.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind