Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: power-pop
Song Meaning of “Clifton Mills” by The Successful Failures
“Clifton Mills” looks into the experiences of a working class family from Clifton Mill, a small, rural town in Virginia. The lyrics explore the struggles that the protagonist faces in a society that favors the wealthy and powerful. In the opening verse, the protagonist sums up the bleak reality of their situation: “Breathe in the clouds of smoke from the steeple mills/ There’s no promise of a better day/ And the hungry children are crying for something to fill them/ Making their way in a land so hard, so cold.”
The story unfolds as the protagonist reflects on the hardships inflicted on their family by the capitalist system. The hardships of life are framed by the backdrop of the “burning fires of Clifton Mills” that never seem to be put out, and the father’s vision of their family as “just a drop in the rain.” Despite these challenging conditions, the protagonist finds something to draw hope from, describing Clifton Mill as a place where “a dream is something worth believing.”
The chorus is an uplifting reminder that strength can be found in adversity. The protagonist cries out that “when life it seems so far away/ Clifton Mills holds my faith/ Shining through when nothing else remains/ Clifton Mills will never change.” Despite the obstacles, the protagonist’s faith can carry them through life’s struggles.