The band takes its name from the New Order song "Love Vigilantes," although their sound tends more to folk, Americana, and country rock than New Wave. Their 2001 album Summershine also showed some movement toward Brit-pop and R.E.M.-style college rock, which would be more fully explored in Mallonee's solo career.
Something to Hold on To
Vigilantes of Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you say so long
Is it a commentary on all that I've done wrong?
See, I've weathered disappointments
At times I have been used
If there's any meat left on the bone, girl, it's there for you to chew
You can take every inch of rope
Just leave me a little something I can hang on to
I'd love to take you in my arms
That might be too cruel
I'm out there dodging feeling and a bullet meant for you
I should let you walk out freely
I have no claim on you
I should exercise compassion
I don't really want to
Nicodemus had his questions
Thomas had his doubts
We have not been left in the dark to work the whole thing out
This clinical environment
To believe is just to fake
I would thrust my hands inside the wound if it will bring you all to faith
I will boast in my brokenness
Revel in my defeat
I will let you kick my ass if it's what you need from me
See, pilgrims without weapons sometimes get nailed to a tree
They use no anesthetics, but the surgery's guaranteed
In "Something to Hold on To," Vigilantes of Love sings about love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. The first verse portrays a sense of insecurity and self-doubt. The singer acknowledges that he has made mistakes and wonders if his partner’s departure is a commentary on all he has done wrong. Despite his past disappointments, the singer offers himself up to his partner. The phrase "If there's any meat left on the bone, girl, it's there for you to chew" speaks to his willingness to try again and give everything he can.
The chorus conveys the singer’s plea for something to hold on to. He recognizes that his partner may need to move on and climb her own mountains but still desires to keep a small piece of her to cling to. The second verse brings up the idea of faith and doubt. The singer mentions Nicodemus and Thomas, biblical figures with questions and doubts, to highlight the idea that even those who believe have uncertainties. He offers himself up for the sake of his partner and states that he will "thrust [his] hands inside the wound if it will bring you all to faith."
Line by Line Meaning
If you say goodbye
If you decide to leave
If you say so long
If you say farewell
Is it a commentary on all that I've done wrong?
Is it a remark on all my mistakes?
See, I've weathered disappointments
I've endured letdowns
At times I have been used
Sometimes I've been taken advantage of
If there's any meat left on the bone, girl, it's there for you to chew
If there's still something worthwhile to be had, you're welcome to it
You can take every inch of rope
You can have everything I have to offer
Climb your mountain in the blue
Go for whatever you aspire to attain
Just leave me a little something I can hang on to
Just give me something to hold onto
I'd love to take you in my arms
I'd love to embrace you
That might be too cruel
But that would be harsh
I'm out there dodging feeling and a bullet meant for you
I'm trying to avoid getting hurt on your behalf
I should let you walk out freely
I ought to allow you to leave freely
I have no claim on you
I cannot demand anything from you
I should exercise compassion
I should be compassionate
I don't really want to
But I don't really want to do that
Nicodemus had his questions
Nicodemus had his uncertainties
Thomas had his doubts
Thomas had his reservations
We have not been left in the dark to work the whole thing out
We haven't been left without guidance to figure everything out
This clinical environment
This unemotional circumstance
To believe is just to fake
Believing is just pretending
I would thrust my hands inside the wound if it will bring you all to faith
I would do anything to help you find faith
I will boast in my brokenness
I will take pride in my weaknesses
Revel in my defeat
Celebrate my failures
I will let you kick my ass if it's what you need from me
I will allow you to beat me up if that's what you require
See, pilgrims without weapons sometimes get nailed to a tree
Sometimes innocent people get punished
They use no anesthetics, but the surgery's guaranteed
Although it's painful, the outcome is assured
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.