The Fallen by Franz Ferdinand

Album: You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)

Charted: 14

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Lead singer Alex Kapranos: "This song is about someone I know coming back as the reincarnation of Christ, and imagining what they would do. In this my case turning water into wine and getting it on with Mary Magdalene."

Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' followers and is mentioned often throughout the Gospels. She was present at Jesus' crucifixion and was the first person to witness his resurrection three days later.
The lyrics, "So I'm sorry if I ever resisted. I never had a doubt that you ever existed, I only have a problem when people insist on taking their hate and placing it on your name" is about people insulting Christ. The lyrics, "Flinging out the fish and unleavened" talks about Christ feeding the 5,000. >>
Suggestion credit:
Benjamin - Richmond, VA
Alex Kapranos interest in Christianity probably stems from a brief spell studying theology at the University of Aberdeen before he dropped out. On "Auf Achse," a track from Franz Ferdinand's debut album, the last part of the song references Jesus' crucifixion. >>
Suggestion credit:
Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England

Comments: 6

Ijay from SeattleJust picked apart this song with a guitar student. Great little tune, love how Kapranos combines themes of both a "Jesus" that is rejected and unrecognizable to modern Christians, and the heroin references to religion being the "opiate of the masses". The song is totally loaded with double meanings, very strong lyrics. A great critique of the sort of manipulation of modern religion towards judgement, hatred and religious oppression. Even more striking to me because the band makes a bunch of Buddhism references on more recent records. Alex was obviously a theology student. As if to say, you've got it all wrong and if Jesus did come back the people who worship him would persecute him all over again.
Dj from Concord, NcI think the first few lines are about Christ fliping the tables in the temple
Katie from Newport Beach, Cadont a lot of people turn to the church because they want to try to live a better life. they are broken and they want to be better. i agree with rachel to some point, the falen are sometimes the virtueous. they tend to be more humble and are trying to be better so in the end they are the better people.
Rachel from South Point, OhThis is sadly true about many Christians today. I know some 'fallen' who are way more loving than some Christians who missed the message completely. Most Christians aren't bad though; some of us are just idiots.
Joey from Corpus Christi, TxGreat song, probably the band's best.
Deep Thinka from Aberden, Wasounds like a mockery out of the Christian Conservatives out there.. love it! oh, and one more thing, in the lyrics the word "Kunst" means an art snoob and a cross between the c word, a great song out of many franz ferdinand songs, kapronos is truely an extremely talented song writter!

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Gangnam StylePsy

The K-pop hit "Gangnam Style" became the most-viewed video in YouTube history months after it was released in 2012, a title it held until "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa overtook it in 2017.