Hospital for Souls

Album: Sempiternal (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bassist Matt Kean recalled to Sugarscape the first time that he heard vocalist Oli Sykes' lyrics for this song. "This is the most emotional I've ever heard Oli's lyrics." he said. "I remember the first time I listened to it, I was out of the country and I texted them straight away, I was like, 'This is crazy.' I just remember thinking how awesome it was gonna be when we got it recorded and stuff. It's an awesome way to end the album - we should've given away a free box of tissues with it."
  • The Sempiternal album was penned with a concept in its structure. Every single song represents a different realization and this album journey completes the journey. Sykes explained to AllMusic: "Sempiternal basically means everlasting and unchanging. I think everybody can say they have something about them - it could be a habit, an addiction, a disease, or whatever - that they can't change. Sometimes, just admitting and accepting it rather than fighting it can make a world of difference. You can never cure it because it's in your DNA and the way you are, but you can arrest it, keep it at bay, and learn to live your life with it. For me, that realization was the most important thing that's happened to me in my whole entire adult life. That's what it all circles around. I had to realize so many other things before I could realize that.

    "That song is all about ascending," he continued. "I guess it's like rising from the ashes and renewing yourself after learning all of these things. I changed who I am. The lyrics mean, 'Say goodbye to the old person, watch me burning, and coming back as this new person.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."