“Like A Stone” is a song by the American rock band Audioslave. The single was released in 2003 as a part of their debut album, Audioslave. Chris Cornell wrote the song, and he said in interviews that it came to him in a dream. The song’s haunting melody and lyrics have made it one of their most popular and enduring hits. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning behind the song.
Table of Contents
Introductory Remarks
“Like A Stone” is one of the most emotionally resonant songs ever written. Its melancholy lyrics and soulful melody have touched millions of hearts around the world. The song is about the pain of losing someone you love, and the struggle to move on without them. It’s a universal theme that everyone can relate to on a personal level.
Verse One: On A Cobweb Afternoon
The song begins with the lyrics, “On a cobweb afternoon in a room full of emptiness.” The opening line sets a mournful tone for the song. The use of “cobweb” and “emptiness” suggests a sense of desolation and loss. It’s a powerful image that immediately captures the listener’s attention.
Chorus: Like A Stone
The chorus of the song is where the title comes from, “And on I read
Until the day was gone
And I sat in regret
Of all the things I’ve done
For all that I’ve blessed
And all that I’ve wronged
In dreams until my death
I will wonder on
Like a stone”
The phrase “Like a stone” refers to the idea of being stuck, unable to move forward or let go of the past. The imagery of a stone is significant here because it suggests the weight of regret and loss that the speaker is carrying. The final line “In dreams until my death, I will wonder on” implies that the speaker will carry this burden with them for the rest of their life.
Verse Two: You Waited On The Rain
The second verse of the song is equally heartbreaking. “You waited on the rain, waited on the snow
You waited on me but I never showed
I hunted the promised land, but I settled for a ghost
I’m not the only one who’s ever closeness grows”
These lyrics suggest that the person the speaker is mourning had been waiting for them, but they never showed up. Instead, the speaker settled for a ghost, or perhaps a shadow of their former self. The line “I’m not the only one who’s ever closeness grows” implies that others have also been affected by this person’s absence, and their pain is shared.
Bridge: In Your House I Long To Be
The bridge of the song brings in a different perspective. “In your house I long to be, room by room patiently
I’ll wait for you there like a stone
I’ll wait for you there alone”
These lyrics suggest that the speaker is still waiting for the person they lost. They want to be in their home, in their space, waiting for them to return. The idea of waiting “like a stone” suggests that the speaker’s attachment to this person has become something unyielding, something that can’t be moved.
The Meaning Behind The Song
The meaning behind “Like A Stone” is one of loss and regret. The speaker is mourning a relationship that ended, perhaps prematurely. They are struggling to come to terms with their loss and find a way to move on. The use of the metaphor of a stone suggests that the speaker is trapped, unable to let go of their pain and longing.
The Song’s Cultural Impact
The song was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and staying there for over a month. It also reached the top 10 in several other countries. The song’s haunting melody and lyrics have become a staple of alternative rock radio, and the song is still played regularly to this day.
The Legacy of Chris Cornell and Audioslave
Chris Cornell, who wrote the song, tragically passed away in 2017. His voice and music remain as powerful and moving as ever. Audioslave, the band he formed with former members of Rage Against the Machine, remains a beloved and influential act in the alternative rock world. “Like A Stone” is just one of many incredible songs that Cornell and Audioslave gifted to the world.
Conclusion
“Like A Stone” is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the pain of loss and the struggle to move on. Its universal themes have touched millions of hearts around the world, and its message remains as powerful and relevant today as it did when it was first released. The song’s cultural impact and the legacy of Chris Cornell and Audioslave only serve to underscore the song’s enduring power and significance.
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