| Fireflight – He Weeps Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| This song is absolutely beautiful, both lyrically and musically. I've heard the question asked "If God's a good God, why does He allow pain and suffering?" Or, "Where was God when this tragedy happened?" I used to wonder where God was and what He was doing when I went through hardships. But I learned that He was right by my side. He cared that I was hurting. It hurt Him that His daughter was hurt. He was there protecting me. This song reminds me of that. | |
| Skillet – Those Nights Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| This song is so meaningful to me. I went through some unfortunate stuff in my childhood, but my best friend was always there for me. It didn't make the stuff go away, but it made it bearable. It gave me enough hope to get through it. I knew that if I could survive Monday night, I would see her at school on Tuesday. Some days that was all I had, but that was enough. I wish there were words to communicate that to her, but she doesn't understand how desperately I needed her. | |
| Icon For Hire – Only A Memory Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| I agree. | |
| Icon For Hire – Sorry About Your Parents Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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I think the first verse is actually pretty sincere. I think the first verse is saying "Your childhood was rough. Your parents were jerks. And that's not your fault. You did everything you could at such a young age ("bending over backwards never good enough") and they were still jerks. It's not your fault your childhood was rough. You had some pretty serious wounds, whether they were literal or figurative." I think the chorus is where it starts to say "But, you can't change the past. I know, I've tried. You can't change or wish away the past. You can't keep dwelling on it or it will destroy you. I know you have wounds. I've been there. But you can't keep dwelling on them or you'll always lose the battle of trying to get better." The second verse, to me, is where it gets a little more harsh and realistic. It basically says "Look, I know what you've been through is rough and wallowing in other people's sympathy feels good, but you can't grow if you stay there. It's understandable that you're hurt. You were cheated by life out of having a good childhood, which is understandably a painful experience for you that you didn't deserve. But if you go around blaming other people for your problems and believing that you'll never get better, you won't go anywhere. If you convince yourself that life screwed you over and, as such, you can't move on, you will be doomed to stay in this screwed up cycle. You can tell people the way you are isn't your fault, but from here on you do have a choice." |
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| Natalie Grant – Safe Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is so incredibly beautiful. It's about God's protection and comfort. When we have scars in our past, it's easy to close yourself in. But that's not what God wants. He wants us to come to Him. And we don't have to be afraid. He will keep us safe from our scars. | |
| Britt Nicole – When She Cries Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I think this song is about both cutting and abuse. The abuse led to the pain that led to the cutting. "Little girl terrified She'd leave her room if only bruises would heal A home is no place to hide" This is where I think it's about abuse in the first verse. I think she is significantly younger in this verse than in later verses. Britt Nicole was rather young when she released this song. So she likely wouldn't have referred to a 16 year old as a "little girl." She wasn't that much older than 16 at the release of the song. She's scared of her abuser(s)* for the pain he/she/they put her through. She's scared that he/she/they'll cause even more bruises. She hides, but it doesn't help because she is still with her abusers. Her "home is no place to hide." "Her heart is breaking from the pain that she feels" She is in a lot of pain from the abuse. Her abuser(s) betray her by putting her through pain instead of protecting her. She's in a fight to survive. She is afraid of what her abuser(s) will do to her. She has to go through more than anyone should, let alone a child. Every day's the same She fights to find her way She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray She wonders why, does anyone ever hear her when she cries She sees no hope of her situation getting better. She is abused every day. She is fighting to survive. She tries to reach out to God but is so broken even that is difficult. She wonders why she is abused. She wonders if it's something wrong with her. She also wonders if God knows about her or cares. "Today she's turning sixteen Everyone singing, but she can't seem to smile" Fast forward to her sixteenth birthday party. She's surrounded by friends and family. It's supposed to be a happy day, but she is still in pain. "They never get past arms length How could they act like everything is alright?" She doesn't trust anyone due to what she's been through. She feels as though they've betrayed her. She thinks (whether justified or not) that they know (or at least suspect) her abuse but they won't help her. "How could they act like everything is alright?" As previously noted, it is a happy day filled with singing (most likely "Happy Birthday") and celebrating, but she thinks it shouldn't be. She thinks the others shouldn't be happy because they know what she's going through. They know she's going through abuse and the subsequent emotional trauma, but they are content to pretend nothing is wrong. "She's pulling down her long sleeves To cover all the memories that scars leave She says, "maybe making me bleed Will be the answer that could wash the slate clean" This is the part about the cutting. She's hiding her scars with her longs sleeves. She doesn't want anyone to know. Additionally, she's hiding the scars from herself. She doesn't want to think about them. They remind her of the pain of her life. They remind her of the pain of her abuse that led to her desperation. Later, after the party (possibly a different day) she cuts herself. This is out of desperation. She's desperate for ANYTHING that could make her feel better. ANYTHING to take her mind off of what she's been through. "Every day's the same She fights to find her way She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray She wonders why, does anyone ever hear her when she cries" She struggles with her pain every day. It seems nothing gets better. She is fighting to figure out life. She is fighting to get past her pain. She is at the breaking point. She tries to hide from the pain. She tries to reach out to God. She wonders why she was abused and she hopes God hears her prayers. She is desperate for His help. "This is the dark before the dawn The storm before the peace Don't be afraid 'cause seasons change and God is watching over you He hears you" This is a word of encouragement Britt is speaking to the girl she's singing about. She's telling her that life will get better if she holds on. God will help her. God does hear her prayers. She is speaking to anyone who relates to the girl in the song. She's saying don't give up. She's saying God will take care of you. "She'll be just fine, cause now I know he hears her when she cries" This is a reiteration of her encouragement. The girl will be ok because God will help her through. *I specifically say "abuser(s)" because the song does not state who abuses her. It could be one or both of her parents. It could be a sibling. It could be a nanny. A lot of people picture abusers as fathers. But sometimes mothers are abusers. Sometimes siblings are abusers. Sometimes caregivers such as nannies and babysitters are abusers. We need to acknowledge these situations. They are unlikely to be reported because there isn't enough awareness. Even if reported they often aren't believed for the same lack of awareness. |
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| Britt Nicole – When She Cries Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| The two aren't mutually exclusive. Personally, I think she cuts out of desperation caused by the pain and fear from her abuse. | |
| Superchick – Beauty From Pain Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song depicts someone suffering. It doesn't matter what the trial was. (It matters very much to the person suffering. It doesn't matter to the listener. You can relate this to any personal struggle.) The person is really broken by what has happened. All they have is the hope that somehow God will use their suffering to create something beautiful. She (it can relate to a guy, but the singer is female so I'm going to say "she") knows God has a plan and she has to keep reminding herself of that because of all the pain she is going through. Absolutely beautiful. | |
| Superchick – Hero Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Being a leader doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing. "He lives on the edge" means that he likely hangs with a rough crowd and is a bit of a delinquent. He thinks that his choices don't matter because he's "old enough to decide." He think that his choices only affect him. He doesn't know that his little brother looks up to him. | |
| Superchick – Hero Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you've been through so much pain. You have to stay strong. God has a purpose for your life. Please don't deprive the world of that. This world needs more strong people like you. And don't you dare say you're not strong. It takes great strength for people to go on through pain like yours. | |
| Superchick – Hero Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is so true. I hate bullying. The bullies don't care if the person is a good person. They just care if the person is different. It's often over really superficial stuff like clothes and little quirks. It's awful. No one thinks about the consequences of our actions. So sad. | |
| Superchick – Hero Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Wow, what an amazing story. | |
| Superchick – Hero Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Good for you that you're learning. Try giving the "outcasts" a chance. They might be very good friends underneath the superficial differences. | |
| Matthew West – Strong Enough Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is wonderful! It's so honest. I love how Matthew West bases his songs on real people's stories. It adds to the honesty. We often come to times in our lives when we can't handle the weight of what's going on. But God can get us through! | |
| Matthew West – Family Tree Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is really beautiful! It's about breaking cycles. A lot of times in families, children follow their parents' bad examples. This song is about hope that that doesn't have to happen to you if you had a bad upbringing. You are not your parents. You have the chance to bring something good to your family tree, even if everything before you was negative. | |
| Matthew West – Broken Girl Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I really like this interpretation! I think that a really good song is one that can be interpreted many ways to fit many scenarios, even if it was written with one particular one in mind. | |
| Britney Spears – Stronger Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I think this song is about leaving behind the past. It's most likely a person. But she could be personifying something internal or even an external situation. She's acknowledging that the subject was holding her back. But now she's leaving it behind. She's breaking free. She's not letting it hold her down. And this fight has made her stronger. | |
| Taylor Swift – Safe and Sound Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I like this. I think these lyrics could relate to many situations in the story. | |
| Icon For Hire – Think I'm Sick Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This might sound weird, but, although I really sometimes feel like I can relate, I can't exactly put my finger on how I agree with the song. I can feel the lyrics. But I can't explain exactly what they mean. I know it's weird. But that's how this song makes me feel. Anyone know what I mean? | |
| Christina Aguilera – Fighter Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I think this song can relate to anyone who has been repeatedly hurt by someone who survived it and came out a fighter. When people try to push us down, it certainly hurts. But if we get back up, it makes us stronger. | |
| Fireflight – Stay Close Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I LOVE this song! It's so powerful! It's a beautifully accurate description of being bound by trauma. It relates to any harsh past. Everyone with a harsh past can tell you that it's hard to leave behind the emotions of yesterday. Some people feel bound by the emotions of the trauma they've survived. She wants to get close to God, but she feels separated by the emotions and fears and circumstances from the past. | |
| Fireflight – Escape Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I think this song is about something in the past. Something hurt the speaker* and now they are in a situation where the pain and fear of the past is trapping them. Their "hands are tied" by the past emotions. They feel helpless. They are crying out for help. They are close to giving up. But they know there is always hope. Amazing song and message. *In some songs, the speaker is different from the writer. I don't know if Dawn was singing this from her own point of view or the point of view of someone she knew or a hypothetical person. |
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| Fireflight – Escape Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I think you may have hit the nail on the head! I liked your examples of differing fears. | |
| Katy Perry – Roar Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I like this interpretation! I think it really works! | |
| Katy Perry – Roar Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I like this interpretation. Sadly, I don't know if Katy has come back to the faith. But I do like this interpretation. I think it applies to me. I don't know about Katy, but I still like this interpretation. My Daddy God has certainly made me a champion. I hope He has done the same for you. In this we can know joy and peace. God bless you. | |
| Skillet – Not Gonna Die Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is great! I think it has a great message about persevering and God getting you through what seems impossible. I don't know if Skillet intended this detail, but I love the phrasing of "not gonna die tonight." It focuses on the present. It's not concerned with tomorrow. God can worry about tomorrow. I can take care of my duties today. I love it! | |
| Christina Aguilera – We Remain Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I think this song is about standing up under oppression. It could be someone who was a societal reformer who worked to fix a broken system. As this song was on the Catching Fire Soundtrack, I think it's easy to relate this to Katniss saying this to President Snow. But I think it works for others who fight for revolution. It could relate to Nelson Mandela who fought Apartheid. He "remained" in spite of everything the oppressive government tried to do to him. They thought they could silence his movement. But they were wrong. RIP Nelson Mandela. | |
| Taylor Swift – Eyes Open Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I know this song is for the Hunger Games. But I don't think that means I can't interpret it other ways. For the Hunger Games, I think it's what she would tell Katniss. Telling her not to give up. To stay ready and to stay alive. Maybe it's Haymitch talking to her. Probably not, because Haymitch isn't really a touchy-feely kind of guy. I mean, he has emotions, but he wouldn't speak of them like the lyrics of this song do. But if you suspend your disbelief a little, Haymitch could say these things to Katniss. He was a victor. He knew exactly what Katniss was feeling. He knew what advice she needed: to stay alert and stay alive. Stay alive was his last piece of advice, after all. I think that's kind of a dual-meaning of "keep your eyes open." Keeping your eyes open means keeping an eye out for your enemy. But also staying alive. Apart from Hunger Games, I think this song could be taken as being about growing up, particularly about surviving bullying or abuse. Let me explain a bit more in detail with my own experiences: "The tricky thing is yesterday we were just children..." That section, in my opinion, is about being a little kid. When little kids play fight, there are no real consequences. It's just fun to them. Even if they have a little spat regarding the "fairness" of the outcome, they're typically over it pretty quickly because it was, at the end of the day, just a game. "But now we've stepped into a cruel world where everybody stands and keeps score." In my opinion, when I relate this song to myself, I think about going into middle school. My middle school years were pretty rough. Most of the bullying I faced in elementary school was mild. It was just a game. But something changed when I got into middle school. I became a target of things that were actually very hurtful. My sister was the leader of the worst of the bullies. And her public bullying transformed into abuse behind the closed doors of our home. I had to grow up very quickly. I had stepped into a cruel world. "Keep your eyes open." I view this as an encouragement from my best friend. She knew what was going on but was powerless to prevent it. All she could do was encourage me to keep surviving. I see this line as saying "keep your head up" or "you can make it if you try." (Chorus) This would refer to the bullying. My sister's friends used to like to watch her attack me. They thought it was funny. They wanted to watch to see the fallout. People in my class were the same way. They always waited for my mistakes. They waited to pounce on my mistakes to further put me down. "So here you are two steps ahead and staying on guard." Children going through bullying at school and/or abuse at home learn to stay on guard. We learn it's the only way to survive. We go home knowing we could die. No child should ever have to accept the fact that their murder is possible. But many of us need to as a means of survival. That's how I lived my life pretty much from ages 12-15. Accepting the fact that I could die in my home. I learned to protect myself by not trusting people. "Every lesson forms a new scar." Each "lesson" here is an instance of abuse. They act as lessons on how to avoid further abuse in the future and how to protect yourself when you can't avoid it. "They never thought you'd make it this far. But turn around. They've surrounded you. It's a show down and nobody comes to save you now. But you've got something they don't." Abusers and bullies never want you to survive with your sanity. They want to destroy you. They don't expect you to make it as far as you can come. I can remember times in both my experiences with bullying and, more significantly, my experiences with abuse, where the statement "it's a showdown" were the best description. "And nobody comes to save you now." Sadly true. No one ever saved me. The only people who knew were my friends. And they were just kids dealing with their own issues too. But every survivor has something the bullies don't. To be a survivor, you need great strength, courage, and a great will to live. I thank God I had these. At this point the chorus repeats. I won't bore you by reiterating my previous point. "Keep your feet ready, heartbeat steady. Keep your eyes open. Keep your aim locked. The light goes dark. Keep your eyes open." To me, this reads: "Always be ready for an attack. Always be prepared. Don't let your guard down." |
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| Taylor Swift – Safe and Sound Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I think Taylor says she worked together with the Civil Wars to come up with the lyrics. But I'm not entirely sure. | |
| Icon For Hire – Only A Memory Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| When I listen to this song, I think of the abuse I suffered at the hands of my older sister. "This isn't my identity" is one of the hardest things to say/believe as a survivor, at least for me it is. But it's an important thing to recognize. I am NOT what has been done to me. | |
| Icon For Hire – Only A Memory Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I was quite curious, so I googled it. Ariel said she wrote it for a friend who had gone through some abuses when she was writing the lyrics. I like your interpretation though! I don't think that a song HAS to be interpreted only one way. Personally, as I was abused in my youth, I see it relating to that. But I like your thought! | |
| Taylor Swift – Safe and Sound Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I like this! I think it makes sense. And I like interpretations of this song that go away from JUST being about Hunger Games. | |
| Taylor Swift – Safe and Sound Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I love this song! When thinking about Hunger Games, I think of Katniss singing it to Rue. Or possibly Peeta singing it to Katniss. However, I personally don't just interpret it with Hunger Games. I was abused by my older sister when I was younger. I always had my best friend who kept me going. I think of her with this song. I feel like she would have said these lyrics to me if she would have been in my home. I always had this fantasy that she would show up at my house and step in and save me. I pictured her taking me away. I pictured us running away together and protecting each other. Or I had a different fantasy where my sister killed me. I didn't want to die, but I had a fantasy for what I would do if I knew I was dying. I pictured myself crawling to the bathroom (the only room with a lock) and locking the door. I pictured myself calling my best friend. I wanted to talk to her. I knew that if I died at the hands of my sister, I wouldn't have wanted that to be the last memory I had on this earth. I wanted to call my best friend. I wanted to help her make peace with my passing. I also wanted to have her promise me that she would tell my sister I forgave her. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her. My best friend is a really good singer, so I also pictured her singing to me. The song didn't exist back then, but if it had, this song would have been perfect for that fantasy. I wanted my best friend to tell me it was ok and help me calm down as I passed, and I think this song exemplifies that feeling. I understand that these fantasies sound crazy. I knew neither of them would come true. But somehow these fantasies helped me keep going. I knew that I always had her in my corner. And when I fantasized about talking to her before death, death seemed less scary. So I love this song. It makes me think of how my friend has always been my silver lining. |
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