10 Upbeat Rock Songs With Darker Meanings

6. The Bucket - Kings Of Leon (2004)

Kings Of Leon's first single from their second album, is one of their most successful to date. It's obvious to see why, for any indie rock fan at the time, this was an exciting development from the bands Southern blues-rock inspired debut album.

Keeping the unmistakable characteristics of Caleb Followell's high pitched vocals, Jared's punchy bass, Nathan's drum rolls, and Mathew's twangy guitar, the band brought a more refined indie rock sound into their music.

On the surface, this track was just another light-hearted indie-jaunt to bop around to with all your plimsole wearing mates. But the contents of its lyrics are far from light-hearted.

The youngest member of the band, bass player Jared, had been struggling with the sudden rise to rock stardom and the incessant touring the band had embarked on, after the success of their first album.

The lyrics explore this difficult time, with Caleb referencing Jared's suicidal thoughts with the line "You kick the bucket, I'll swing my legs. Always remember the pact that we made". Implying that if Jared were to end his life, Caleb would follow suit.

This line was censored for both the radio release and the music video, with the word 'legs' being muted... like that would help disguise the meaning of the lyrics...

Contributor

Before engrossing myself in the written word, I spent several years in the TV and film industry. During this time I became proficient at picking things up, moving things and putting things down again.