What does some nights mean

Here is a giant leap: did Nate Ruess's sister's husband die in a desert war? Did he claim that he loved her and their son but still chose to go overseas to war? If this is true, wouldn't he wake up every morning seeing the ghost of his wife and wonder what he stands for if he was willing to leave them all behind? The image of dying "alone all dried up in the desert sun" could easily be related to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Not to mention this song is about war and these are the wars our country is currently fighting. The ideas of missing "mom and dad for this", selling "my soul for this", can be interpreted in either war. In true war the soul is sold because the need for violence detracts from the human understanding of another soul. Any soldier overseas is also likely to miss his family and loved ones.

In Nate's war he sold his soul to the record company and feels the artistic burden of pleasing his bosses and audience which will always compromise the integrity of one's art, one's soul.

Nate is also likely to have some girl that he really cared about but had to leave behind to fight this war. He also sees her ghost every morning and at the end of the song he dreams about her. He also asks "what do I stand for" if I'm willing to leave love to fight a war? Most artists need to leave home for NYC or LA to pursue the dream and it's hard to bring loved ones along for the ride.

This song begs the question of what any of us stand for if we are willing to compromise loving relationships for our selfish intents. What is this life worth if our actions towards our loved ones don't meet our words? This is simply my interpretation of the song. I am not Nate, his sister, nephew or any member of his family. I would make his bones remember, shoot some brains into the martyrs, when day comes all must be revealed, all those who made bones do not want the light to dawn.

Murderers and sex offenders telling lies and painting their victims as the wrong. All escapes of peodo camp must return there eventually. Don't let them carry you, because you will be a sacrifice and offering. Babies born get drugged and sexually abused, then raised as "normal", those babies go through life feeling like they are needing something, but never know what, that's how they make the wind, that they call it a car, then throw religion at you, a personal Jesus.

These are the Gods of sex and drugs and rock and roll. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes, but some know exactly what they are doing, therefore there is no real mistake.

I think it's about life. Just life in general. The good, the bad. The moments you long for, the moments you dream of. The mistakes, their consequences, their rewards. At the end of the day none of us know what our lives will be or who we will become.

All we know is right now. This moment that grounds us in this time. This little space that we each occupy in the world. I think it's about finding comfort in the fact that there is no certainty beyond that.

I think it's about learning to embrace both the lows and the highs that you experience when you live a life. I think that it could be more about a boy who was always alone and the had a sudden idea that if he ran away, his life would be better.

It showed some depression that I personally share and the anger and sadness. To me this is like saying "Hey I'm not perfect and I'm willing to show you all and you can judge but I won't answer to it.

I definitely can relate to this song but can't say more than this: If things feel impossible or something along those lines, don't give up your hope. Things will always get better, but they have to get worse first. Well ,I have read all of what others have wrote about what they think the meaning of this song is about and, I think they are all pretty good,but this song to me ,I do'nt believe there is any one out there that hears it the way that I do. I started to hear 'the song,'' some nights ''not to long after my son Matthew died.

Even when I changed the station, it would come on within the first couple songs. He was 24 when he died. He had his whole life ahead of him''. I think this is about how Nate followed his music career. But like in the song he says "5 minutes in and I'm bored again" this is saying that he was very committed and excited at first but soon found that his option may have not been the best.

Also then he goes on to say "Ten years of this I'm not sure if anybody understands" Here I can tell that what he is saying is that even though he was unsure early in his career he continued to try. And him talking about he is not sure if anybody understands is showing that he believes that he is in a unique situation and has obviously not talked to any people in his band.

So as a song writer myself I believe that "Some Nights" is about the mental fight he is having between his love for his family and his music career. If you've seen the music video it's about a war So it's about the guy going to war and singing to the soldiers he is a soldier. He's talking about how he beat his wife. So basically, this song is about divorce. This man must either comply to the world or be alone in solitude with his own beliefs.

Often he wishes to comply to worldly affairs for better luck, while other times he wants to remain himself, as that is who he is. He has this internal battle within himself where he cannot figure out his decisions or himself thus the relevance to war indirectly. The man is "not one to believe in hype" which indicates that he doesn't believe in the media or propaganda around him. The man is considering himself as better off because he has not been dead, but remaining alive would mean complying to the worldly affairs.

The whole song is a constant battle of the man's individuality and the man's willingness to comply to worldly affairs. He doesn't want to lose recognition as himself, but he is afraid to die as a martyr.

Throughout the song he contemplates what he should do, but there is no right answer. You must die for your own rights, or give into something you don't believe in. If he fails to choose a side, he remains in solitude, where he is now. Many other lyrics indicate this. The whole song works as a monologue into a man's thoughts on how he can keep his own individuality while remaining in a world that fosters everyone being the same.

No Replies Log in to reply. Song Meaning Some people here have some pretty bizarre interpretations of this song, but I guess it's cool that it can touch people in different ways. After listening to the song a number of times, I came here to see the lyrics.

And it's pretty obvious that this song is entirely about the writer and his conflicted feelings about being a touring musician, seeking fame, but missing love in his life.

He left a girl behind, as well as his family, and he's not sure if it's worth all the trouble, even though it comes with some great perks.

Some highlights: Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off At times he wants to break through to super-stardom, other times he wishes the whole music career would implode so that he can go home and live a normal life. But I still wake up, I still see your ghost Oh Lord, I'm still not sure, what I stand for He's haunted by the memory of the girl he left behind.

He thought that by leaving her behind and seeking fame he would find his purpose in life, but that hasn't happened. This is it, boys, this is war, what are we waiting for? The music business is a vicious competition. He's sometimes very enthusiastic about trying to succeed, but they're trying to make it by using all the old boring techniques like touring and giving interviews. He thinks they need to differentiate themselves in some new creative ways. I was never one to believe the hype, Save that for the black and white I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, But here they come again to jack my style His band sometimes get great reviews which he tries to live up to, but then the next review comes out worse.

Despite this, he sees others copying him, trying to capitalize on his successes. When I see stars, when I see stars, that's all they are When I hear songs, they sound like a swan Most people are amazed by the hypnotizing beauty of the stars in the night sky, but he feels that way by listening to music.

Well that is it, guys, that is all, five minutes in and I'm bored again Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands He's having trouble keeping up his enthusiasm for performances.

He doesn't feel like the audience is getting what he's trying to say. My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love" But when I look into my nephew's eyes, Man you wouldn't believe, the most amazing things, that can come from, Some terrible nights some think he says 'lie', it's not clear His sister is going through a divorce, but despite all that pain, the relationship gave her a wonderful son, and he's amazed by that apparent contradiction.

The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me I called you up, but we'd both agree It's for the best you didn't listen It's for the best we get our distance, oh Here he goes back to talking about the girl he left behind.

He had begged her to come visit him, but she doesn't want that kind of relationship and thinks they need to stay apart to heal from the breakup. MaxWilder on December 12, Link. I agree with your interpretation, but instead of a girl, I believe he is talking about his old band, The Format. They had quite a big indie following, but not quite big enough to make it. There was a lot of sadness after that band broke up, then FUN was created and I believe this is his take on that inner conflict he had.

RosyIRL on December 21, I also agree with this interpretation but also echo RosyIRL - I think the line "I still wake up, I still see your ghost" refers to either himself the ghost of his old self before the 10 years of struggling as a musician had changed him or his original band The Format. Because the song is called "Some Nights" and he's basically talking about the internal struggle and conflict he faces on some nights, here I think he is bringing it full circle by saying his heart is breaking for his sister's lousy situation, but look at the good his nephew that came from a "terrible" night the night his sister made a 'mistake' with her ex.

All in all, by alluding to his wonderful nephew, he's saying his own struggle will be worth it in the end. Song Meaning To me, the meaning is pretty clear. He tried for 10 years originally in the Format not to sacrifice his artistic principals for fame and acceptance. But he finally couldn't take it anymore. The ghost he is referring to is the ideal of getting famous without sacrificing his art.

When he speaks in the middle is maybe the most significant part of the song. He is speaking directly to us--his audience. He is telling us that he finally sold his soul sacrificed his art making a more traditionally "pop" album --that he left home, and everything he once believed. When I see stars, that's all they are:" he is saying that there is no longer any reason he shouldn't be famous--there is nothing special about stars that he doesn't have.

Interestingly, this is where he uses the vocoder So the song he hears "sound like this one," vocoder and all. Again, he feels like he sacrificed the true art of what he is doing to be successful as a pop star.

In the end, "the most amazing things can come from some terrible nights. In the end, he is saying he had a dream about his past art--his past self. But he's also finally happy EvanWP on September 12, Link.

Sorry about all the typos--I wrote this really quickly. Thanks for the information-interpretation! I think you've touched on some really great points : s3r4ch on November 01, General Comment I think a lot of you are over thinking this song.

In its simplest form without over thinking it too much or examining the lyrics further than needed it is about how cruel love is. Love has treated him so badly that in a way it has completely changed him or corrupted him so much that he does not even know what he stands fro anymore. He stills sees the girl who broke his heart everywhere he goes "I still see your ghost". I could go much more in depth with every line but these are the biggest lines that prove my point. But I also need to point out the most important line to validate my stance on the song.

This song is definitely about how cruel love can be. My Interpretation Some nights is first and foremost an anti-war song. It is written from the perspective of a young soldier, presumably in Iraq. This is clear from the references to 'dying dried up in the desert sun', as well as "10 years of this". This is supported by the phrase "This is it boys, this is war! The soldier feels very disillusioned, and wonders "what do I stand for" multiple times throughout the song.

He gazes at the sky, and sees only stars, having lost his faith in the heavens, and some power larger than himself due to all that he has seen. The martyr in his bed is a religious reference, presumably to some young girl sacrificing herself to make some money by prostituting. The soldier is aware of using sex as an escape from his disillusionment with the war. He also has left a girl at home who appears to have cheated on him once, as he wonders if she has 'forgotten him again', meaning has cheated on him again.

He thinks of her often, as suggested by seeing her "ghost" at night, but realizes it's better if they don't have contact while he is away. The young soldier misses his mom and dad, but "had to go", meaning he felt compelled to join the military for some reason not explained in the song.

But he realizes now that it was a mistake because the fight doesn't seem to have a meaningful purpose and is even "bored" by the whole experience.

He thinks of his sister, not just because he feels bad about her situation in an abusive relationship, but refers to it as a metaphor that sometimes amazing blessings come from the most terrible of nights--that perhaps there will some day be good coming from the war he is involved in. The reference he makes to "the other night It is a dream about peace for all mankind, which is what this young soldier in "Some Nights" is ultimately hoping, even praying for.

In the end then, the song reflects both disillusionment and hope. Oh my goodness! I never thought of the song that way! That's completely awesome! Rethki on December 12, I don't think "dying dried up in the desert sun', as well as "10 years of this" are war references. It's referencing his growing up in Arizona and needing to get out.

From what I can tell, the stronger interpretation of the artist's intent is the one that describes his difficulty over the last 10 years with his career as a musician, his sister's circumstances with divorce, etc However, a good work of art is one that can be interpreted many ways. I'm glad many see this as an anti-war song. We NEED anti-war songs. I mean, damn! So I prefer this as an anti-war song, although I can see it may not have been intended as such. I agree with you about MOST of what you have said.

I'm not so sure that his girlfriend "cheated" on him. She may have broken up with him because he was the one that had someone in his bed and he felt she had forgotten about him being so far away. When he called her up apparently she didn't want to go back to where they were. I don't think he would have called her up had she cheated on him. BarbH64 on January 07, Actually, Ruess has attributed Paul Simon as an influence for this song, see: billboard.

I sold my soul for this? Washed my hands of that for this? I miss my mom and dad for this? When I see stars, when I see, when I see stars that's all they are. When I hear songs, they sound like this one, so come on, Oh, come on. Oh, come on, oh come on! Well, This is it, guys, that is all - five minutes in and I'm bored again, Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands.

This one is not for the folks back home; Sorry to leave, mom, I had to go. Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun? My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love". Man when I look into my nephew's eyes Man, you wouldn't believe The most amazing things that can come from Some terrible nights I called you up, but we'd both agree: It's for the best you didn't listen, It's for the best we get our distance It's for the best you didn't listen, It's for the best we get our distance Explain Request.

Add song structure elements. Corrected by PTVfan. Midnight Sky. Therefore I Am. Christmas Saves The Year.

A lot of people are really over thinking this song and the video is a bit of a red herring. This song has nothing to do with soldiers or war. This is the inside thoughts of nate ruess and his path to success - it actually is pretty simple and the metaphors are thin and easy to identify. The four opening lines is about his view on success, and his success he perceives as "bad luck," because of the stress that comes with it, hence its a draw.

His lips are where his words come from, he wishes sometimes he had the power to do great things, and other times he wishes it was just done. Waking up and seeing a ghost is about a love that left him we can figure out that they left him not the other way around at the end of the song, keep reading. If you walk away from love, if you can do it, then what do you stand for? War is such an over used metaphor. He's been in music professionally for, 11 years now.

This is "war" is now its serious - he's famous now - music is being used in tv ads, heavy radio air play. Breaking the rules is telling the producers, agents, and execs telling them what to do to go stuff it. Not believing the hype is just that - oh nate you're so awesome! Oh nate everyone loves you - the hype of fame.

He believes in black and white things - tangible things. And yet despite trying twice as hard to get where he is at, he is half as liked oh he's arrogant, oh he stepped on people on the way up and yet others are starting to copy his style and call it their own. Hey man, I was in the format for eight years! A martyr in his bed. He's sleeping with a woman tonight that he has no interest in having a relationship with, that likes him more than he likes her, but for that moment swapping bodily fluids his life has meaning.

She wants more, and will sleep with him in attempt to get it - a martyr. Most famous people talk about the sense of being alone. For example when you fly commercially you get special treatment, get to sit in special rooms - mostly - alone - because we don't want anyone to bother you nate ruess.

But then you feel isolated and your social circle is largely a group of sycophants with their hands out. So this is it? I went to school, sold out to corporate labels, I signed up for this? I left someone I loved behind along the way instead of fighting for our relationship for this? I left my parents in glendale, arizona for this? When I look at the sky its no longer with wonder, stars are just stars. When I hear songs they all sound the same, just like this one.

Come on! There has to be something better. Here I am, playing this five minute song it is almost five minutes and I'm already bored with music and it. I've been in the industry ten years and I don't think anyone understands how hard this has been for me. This isn't for the folks back home - you're not going to like this heap of reality that's coming. Sorry mom I left, but I do not want to spend my adult years in glendale, arizona that is where he grew up and went to school. I had to leave because I felt I was going to die if I stayed.

My sister is in a crappy marriage, but they call it "love. I dreamed about you the lost love and it was amazing. I called you up and we both agreed. You didn't listen to my pleas to not leave. It made sense we are now far apart. I have found peace and meaning in my life. But alas, its only a dream. Nate ruess is telling you his story. Add your reply. This song has nothing to do with soldiers or the war in the mid-east.

It's an internal struggles he's had for 10 yrs. With the music industry and continues to have now that he's famous the people he left behind. The martyr in his bed is a woman who slept with him only because he's famous, not because she likes him or even knows him, just so she can tell her friends she did it - but there is one woman he really loved and she left him, probably because he was so focused on his music and making it big.

Now he's looking back on the sacrifices he made to get where he is know and wondering if it was worth it. It was released on June 4, , as the second single and the title track from their second studio album of the same name. Musically "Some Nights" is an indie pop song with elements of power pop and afrobeat. The song lyrics speak of the protagonist's feelings of self-deprecation and loneliness. The first time I heard this song I thought it was the most fun sounding song in the world, then I listened to the words and now it pretty much makes me cry every time I hear it.

It resonates with me because my dad is also a con and I guess I'm hoping I may be one of those amazing things that came from a lie.