Graves

Album: Love Is Dead (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On September 2, 2015, the tiny body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi was found washed up on a Turkish tourist beach. He and his family were Syrian refugees trying to reach Europe amid the European refugee crisis. Photographs of his drowned body were taken by Turkish journalist Nilüfer Demir and quickly spread around the world, making global headlines. Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry references the tragedy during this song in which she criticizes the general populace's apathy to such issues that don't directly affect them.

    They're leaving bodies in stairwells
    Washing up on the shore
    Do you really expect us to care what you're waiting for?
    When you're high in your castle, keeping an eye on the door


    The song's verses came very quickly to Mayberry. She told Pitchfork: "The main stimulus was seeing people with power choose to not reference things and never be held accountable because it's not relevant to them. The only reason you can say those things is because you're so f---ing privileged that you don't need to worry about it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."