All Is Said and Done

Album: Burning The Days (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • His anthem to the Type-A's of the world, Vertical Horizon lead singer Matt Scannell wrote this song about control freaks. And it's one of his proudest accomplishments. Says Matt, "'Are you tired of holding up the sky? Teaching birds to fly? You've done it all your life. Are you sad when you see the sun? 'Cause then you're not the brightest one when all is said and done, and all is said and done.' It's kind of a funny lyric in a way. But I know people who think that they're holding up the sky. They think that if they stop trying to hold up the sky the whole world's going to fall down. They think that they have to teach every bird how to fly. It's like, 'Dude, we know. The birds know. The sky's there. It's okay, it's gonna be okay.' It's like they're always in a triathlon. And I'm not that kind of person. I fall on the other side of it, like 'Save Me From Myself' where I kind of retreat back, and can be a little bit reclusive. But some people in my life, I can just see them wasting their energy on things that they can't do anything about. Or wasting their energy on things that they're not doing anything about. I've never been able to, I think, write a lyric that meant so much by saying so little. I was really proud of being able to paint that picture so completely in such few words." (Check out the full interview with Matt Scannell.)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.