Chaos from the Top Down

Album: Single release only (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Kelly Jones sings from the imagined perspective of a 15-year-old boy lying in the road after being shot.

    Oh yeah, it's chaos from the top down
    And now I see I've just been shot down
    I got no voice, I got no choice, you don't hear one word I say


    Jones explained in a press release that the fallen teenager is "reflecting in his time of dying about his life and the choices he made through the lack of options and opportunities he felt he had in today's Britain. It also touches on the tags and labels that have been stuck on him. The stereotypes and clichés that were placed on him."
  • The song is based on a true story that happened just outside Jones' street. The Stereophonics frontman has often written about what's going on around him ever since penning "Local Boy In The Photograph" in 1996.
  • The track was produced by Kelly Jones and George Drakoulias (The Zutons, Primal Scream) at The Distillery studios in Somerset, SW England. Released as a standalone single on February 14, 2019, Jones explained it didn't fit into the style of the album he was writing. He added that "the current political climate inspired me to release it now."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

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