I've got a book of matches
I've got a can of kerosene
I've got some bright ideas involving you and me
I don't blame you for walking away
I touch myself at thoughts of flames
I shat the bed and laid there in it
Thinking of you wide awake for days
Wide awake for days

And I found you tongue tied
In my twisted little brain
You couldn't crack a smile
I barely caught your name
I don't blame you for walking away
I'd do the same if I saw me
I swear it's not contagious
In four short steps we can erase this

Step one: slit my throat
Step two: play in my blood
Step three: cover me in dirty sheets
And run laughing out of the house
Step four: stop off at Edgebrook Creek
And rinse your crimson hands
You took me hostage and made your demands
I couldn't meet them so you cut off my fingers
One by one
One by one

I'm like a broken record
I've got a needle scratching me
It injects the poison of alcohol I.V.
I don't blame you for walking away
I'd do the same if I saw me
I swear it's not contagious
I swear to god it's not contagious

Step one: slit my throat
Step two: play in my blood
Step three: cover me in dirty sheets
And run laughing out of the house
Step four: stop at lake Michigan
And rinse your crimson hands
You took me hostage you made your demands
I couldn't meet them so you cut off my fingers
One by one
One by one

This could be love (love for fire)
This could be love (love for fire)
This could be love (love for fire)
This could be love
For fire forevermore

Step one: slit my throat
Step two: play in my blood
Step three: cover me in dirty sheets
And run laughing out of the house
Step four: stop at Berkeley Marina
Rinse your crimson hands
You took me hostage and made your demands
I couldn't meet them so you cut off my fingers
One by one
One by one
One by one


Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28

This Could Be Love Lyrics as written by Derek Grant Daniel Andriano

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

This Could Be Love song meanings
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62 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    The real line is "I touch myself at thoughts of flames" I believe this is referring to the homicidal triad. Many serial killers are sexually aroused by fire and it has been common for them to start fires and "touch themselves" while watching it. I think Matt Skiba knows about this and the song is probably about some serial killer. But then again, it could entirely be a metaphor for something else.

    Protest Singeron March 27, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Woo, new Alkaline Trio song from the new album.. 'Good Mourning'. Should be good, I think. Some of the lyrics are pretty wrong... but you tried your best, heh heh.

    Prodigalon March 19, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I got a book of matches I got a can of kerosene I got some bad ideas Involving you and me I don't blame you for walking away I touch myself it's awful flames I shat the bad and lay there in it Thinking of you, wide awake for days Wide awake for days

    I found you tongue tied My twisted little brain You couldn't crack the smile I didn't catch your name I don't blame you for walking away I'd do the same if I saw me I swear it's not contagious Four short steps we can erase this...

    Step one Slit my throat Step two Drink my blood Step three Cover me in dirty sheets And I'm laughing out of the house Step four Stop by lake Michigan, rinse your crimson hands You took me hostage and made your demands I couldn't meet 'em so you cut of my fingers One by one One by one

    And like a broken record I got a needle scratching me It injects the poison Of alcohol I need I don't blame you for walking away I'd do the same if I saw me I swear it's not contagious I swear to god it's not contagious

    Step one Slit my throat Step two Drink my blood Step three Cover me in dirty sheets And I'm laughing out of the house Step four Stop by lake Michigan, rinse your crimson hands You took me hostage and made your demands I couldn't meet ' em so you cut of my fingers

    This could be love Love for fire This could be love Love for fire This could be love Love for fire This could be love For fire, for ever now

    Step one Slit my throat Step two Drink my blood Step three Cover me in dirty sheets And I'm laughing out of the house Step four Stop by lake Michigan, rinse your crimson hands You took me hostage and made your demands I couldn't meet ' em so you cut of my fingers One by one One by one

    el_STORMon March 22, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this album is gonna kick ass, so far i like continental, all on black, and weve had enough.... once i put more time into the other songs im sure ill love them too. so glad alk didnt go downhill, after even their self-titled. rock on

    WhenTheStarsFallon March 23, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    All i have to say is i have the full cd. muhahha

    Jonnymacdon March 27, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The whole album is sick...but they changed this song a bit. The first location is something creek i think, the second is lake michagan and the third is Berkley marina. Since matt lived in chicago and southern california the third one is probably another place he lived or lake michagan is for dan who still lives in chicago and the first is for derek.

    unicron926on March 28, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    injects the poison of alcohol IV...

    rbon March 28, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    someone needs to get the rest of Good Mourning's lyrics up. this album is so awesome. another great one by alk3.

    Sick Of Smilingon March 29, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    its Edgebure creek

    Jonnymacdon March 30, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    its Edgebure creek

    Jonnymacdon March 30, 2003   Link

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