Heroes by Shinedown

Album: Us And Them (2005)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Shinedown haven't said much about this song, but the "heroes" are probably the American Founding Fathers, who had noble intentions for the country and its future. But now these heroes are "dead and gone," replaced by venal politicians.

Shinedown were always careful to express their political beliefs opaquely through their songs, which kept them above that fray.
The song is part of Shinedown's second album, Us And Them, released in 2005. It was written by lead singer Brent Smith and guitarist Jasin Todd along with an outside writer, Tony Battaglia, who made a lot of contributions to Shinedown songs around this time. Todd ended up leaving the band before their next album was released. That album, The Sound Of Madness in 2008, contains the Shinedown classic "Second Chance."

Comments: 6

Sgc from Chattanooga, Tennessee I agree with it being about dead rock stars, particularly grunge because they are post grunge/hard rock and it sounds a lot like Soundgarden’s Spoonman to me however this was 2005 and several of them were dead. Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley most notably. However I may be bias because they are my heroes and 91-96 was the peak in mainstream rock imo. Nirvana to Local H.
Angie from Eugene, OregonI feel that maybe this song is about 9/11.

"Stare in wonder, Who's here to bring you down?" this is referring to everyone watching the news or staring up at the towers.

"Find your martyr I'm sure you've made the crown"
Referring to “martyrdom.” Catholic Church Believes Those who suffered violence at the hands of this world, who bled and died because of their commitment to their faith along side all those who die for their kingdom wears a “martyrs crown.”

"Sold their sorrow to the ones who paid the most" Could me the solider that let their saddness go inorder to fight for the Ones that paid the most "the lives distroyed that day"

"Dark devotion in a beacon Paradise
Shows no emotion to a willing sacrifice
You can put a man on trial, but you can't make the guilty pay" I think this refers to Bin Laden and his Faithful followers "Suicide Bombers"
Kellin from Right Here Where I Am, AlHm. I always thought this song was about rock legends that are "dead and gone," though the "dead" is more figurative than literal. The line "sold their sorrow to the ones who paid the most" makes me think of tabloids.
[p3yt0n} from Somewhere, InI think the song means that the people he looked up to fell apart, had a breakdown, not necessarily died. And now he has no one to look up to.
Joe from Lincoln, NeAfter listening to the lyrics intensely, I have decided that the song is about dead soldiers, specifically those who died fighting for their country. A true hero.
Jeff from Casa Grande, AzIt sounds like his "heroes" have "let him down," or more poetively spoken . . . a "shine down."

see more comments

More Songfacts:

At This MomentBilly Vera & the Beaters

"At This Moment" was first released by Billy Vera & the Beaters in 1981, and hit #79. After it was used in two episodes of Family Ties in 1985-1986, it went to #1.

Mr. Tambourine ManBob Dylan

Bob Dylan's original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," released on his album Bringing It All Back Home, has no tambourine, just guitars and harmonica.

Piano ManBilly Joel

"Piano Man" was inspired by Billy Joel's time playing at a piano bar in Los Angeles. The "real estate novelist" was a guy who always talked about writing a book, but spent all his spare time in the bar.

True ColorsCyndi Lauper

With a message of acceptance and inclusivity, "True Colors" became a gay rights anthem. Cyndi Lauper help form an organization called True Colors United to help support LGBTQ youth.

Edge Of SeventeenStevie Nicks

The death of John Lennon was an influence on the Stevie Nicks hit "Edge Of Seventeen." He's the one with the "words of a poet and voice from a choir."

VoodooGodsmack

The line, "I feel the snakebite enter my veins," led many to believe the Godsmack song "Voodoo" is about drugs, but it's really about Wiccan ritual, inspired in part by the Wes Craven movie The Serpent and the Rainbow.