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

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.