Sunday

Album: Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 1 (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Foals started work on this hazy electronic tune during the period of writing for their 2015 What Went Down album but it didn't come together for a variety of reasons. Frontman Yannis Philippakis has said that he feels this worked out for the best as its lyrics encompasses a lot of Everything Not Saved's lyrical themes about our best times being behind us, making it a perfect song for the record.
  • The song's lyrical concept is about being abandoned by previous generations who promised us so much. Philippakis explained to Consequence of Sound:

    "Our ancestors built up, progressed and built civilizations and they built amazing cities. And now at the point of precipice where we're kind of in a perilous situation in many ways socially and environmentally, they're not around to help. And we're not adults. Sometimes I'm just like, where are all the adults?"
  • The message behind the song's refrain of "our fathers run and leave all the damage" is one of resentment towards baby boomers. "Even the old people, they're like wearing sneakers and it's like they're just older kids, they're not adults," said Philippakis. "It's this kind of feeling of like, resentment. Like, why have we been left in this situation?"
  • The song's concept regarding the irresponsibility of today's baby boomer generation isn't purely abstract. Philippakis explained to The Independent:

    "I'm getting to that age now where I'm thinking about being a father - not imminently - but I'm closer to the age at which my father made a decision to not be with his kids, and I'm like, well how am I going to respond to that responsibility? How am I going to behave?"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.