The String Quartet Tribute is a series of string quartet covers released by… Read Full Bio ↴The String Quartet Tribute is a series of string quartet covers released by Vitamin Records by several different groups of musicians. They focus on one band per record, and perform classical versions of their songs, generally note for note. They use a wide array of instruments but focus mainly on violins, violas, and cellos. Over the years, they have put out a large number of albums (232), honoring mainstream and indie groups alike. They have put a classical spin on many genres of music, including rock, pop, punk, techno, hardcore, country, metal and rap.

Todd Mark Rubenstein has led one of several groups of players that have released albums in the series. This includes Exit... Stage Right: String Quartet Tribute to Rush which was nominated for a Grammy.

My Hero
Vitamin String Quartet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Too alarmin' now to talk about
Take your pictures down and shake it out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero

He's ordinary

Don't the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out?
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary

Kudos, my hero, leavin' all the best
You know my hero, the one that's on
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes

There goes my hero
He's ordinary

Overall Meaning

In Vitamin String Quartet's rendition of My Hero, the lyrics speak to a person who has experienced a significant loss or disappointment. The opening line "Too alarming now to talk about" suggests that the event was traumatic and difficult to discuss. The next line "Take your pictures down and shake it out" could be interpreted as an attempt to move past the event, perhaps by removing reminders of what once was. The chorus, "There goes my hero, watch him as he goes. There goes my hero, he's ordinary", could be seen as a reflection on the nature of heroes. Despite the traumatic event, the subject's hero is still an ordinary person, suggesting that perhaps we all have the potential to be heroes in our own ways.

The second verse of the song speaks to the idea that even the best of us may struggle or fail, while others may keep going. It continues to emphasize the importance of honesty ("Truth or consequence, say it aloud. Use that evidence, race it around"), perhaps as a way to encourage the subject to confront whatever has happened and move forward. Overall, the song seems to suggest that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and the potential for heroism.

Line by Line Meaning

Too alarmin' now to talk about
The situation is so serious that it cannot be discussed.

Take your pictures down and shake it out
Get rid of any distractions and focus on the matter at hand.

Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Either tell the truth or accept the consequences of lying.

Use that evidence, race it around
Present evidence quickly and widely to solidify the truth.

There goes my hero
The artist has a hero who is doing something remarkable.

Watch him as he goes
Observe and appreciate the hero's actions.

He's ordinary
Despite their heroism, the hero is a regular person.

Don't the best of them bleed it out
Even the best people suffer and struggle.

While the rest of them peter out?
What happens to those who are not the best?

Kudos, my hero, leavin' all the best
Congratulations to the hero for outshining others.

You know my hero, the one that's on
The singer knows their hero. They are personally invested in their actions.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Eric Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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