Four Walls

Album: Tormented (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a song about the everyday suffering when trapped inside a depressed, drug-addicted life just staring at the same four walls. In some ways we can all relate to the boring, same-old-day-in-day-out, nothing-ever-changes life just treading water, feeling stuck in the same routine not being able to find a way out. At the end of the song, it appears that the subject has killed himself, as we hear, "It's been like this forever... No more I hate my f--king life" and a gunshot. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Fred - Mishawaka, IN
  • "Four Walls" is one of Staind's first songs, released on their debut album, Tormented, in 1996. Even then, they visited dark territory, with lead singer Aaron Lewis writing lyrics that jibe with the album title. This song is especially visceral, with a look inside the mind of a suicidal individual.

Comments: 2

  • Joann from Portsmouth, VaHearing this song and if it is really about the end result of suicide, it really brings back memories to me, but I listened to it anyway, it does not bring closure to a son lost, but I know I live with the finality of what suicide is everyday in my memories of days lost and days gone by, 21 years later, I LOVE YOU RONNIE
  • Cj from Wasilla, AkJust to let everyone know: the dialogue that is mentioned actually happens at the beginning of the album, and more is said throughout. At the end, he says, "There's nothing left for me", and then the gunshot. There is then a hidden track called "The Funeral", making Tormented a concept album about a suicidal individual.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?