Only These Words

Album: Higher Truth (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This cutesy fairytale-gone-dark is a track from Chris Cornell's Higher Truth album. "It was almost a Zeppelin-y thing at first," he revealed to Digital Spy. "The idea is it's a child having a dream, and the dreamworld life is sort-of perfect. It's a baby born as a royal or princess into this amazing world, then immediately being jerked out of that when they wake up to a reality which isn't that, and then grasping onto what part of their life could be that."

Comments: 7

  • Blackgiveswaytoblue from EuropeOk so now the original version mentioning Toni and Christopher of this song is going to be released? I would think that he wrote songs for all of his children and the one on the HT album is for Lily..and I really hope that if the song was meant for her, he told her.
  • Nikki from CaliforniaWhy is Vicky trying to make it seem like the Higher Truth song Only These Words wasn’t written for his first daughter Lily? The lyrics are very clear and his interviews about it are written clearly as well. He wrote Dandelion for Toni, why is she upset that Only These Words was for Lily? They each got their own song, seems like teenage jealousy towards Lily from both Vicky and the middle daughter Toni. Sad for them that they’re so immature.
  • Katieb from NyAccording to Matt Robinson, Chris' first demo recorded was for Toni BUT!!! He told Matt Robinson, music journalist, the first bars and verses of the song was written in 2002 for his other daughter. When he recorded final version for 2015 album he decided instead to direct it to Lily, as a gift to her because they were growing closer. As poster says below probably guilt too xx
  • Stoplyingvicky from ChicagoThis song has been confirmed as being written for Cornell's first born daughter, Lily. He confirmed it to other musicians during the production process. It's told from a dream perspective of a girl who's life isn't the cosy fairytale it should be, and Cornell expresses his guilt both at the failure of his first marriage and the breaking of the 'fairytale' life Lily should have had. This song is not about Toni Cornell. And her family all know that too.
  • Zelda from UsaAnd if he did write this about toni, then hes a s--tty father who tried to pretend he didnt have a life before vicky cornell
  • Zelda from UsaThis song was not written about toni cornell. I hate how people try to deny the fact that he had a beautiful daughter from his first marriage named Lily Cornell Silver who looks just like him by the way. Her parents divorced, she was borin in the summer. Song is definitely referencing Liky. Every blasted song cant be about toni sheesh
  • Lue Ann from IlHe obviously wrote this song about his daughter Toni. She was his princess and him and his wife loved her and represent the king and queen. And the ending of the song is a promise that she will one day find a man who will love her just as much.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.