I don't want to be the one who rides flame
I don't know her name
I don't want to go where the seekers all go
I don't want to go

[CHORUS
You can feel anything you want to feel (x2)
And call it real
But I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x2)]

I can't complain though I'm wrapped up in chains
I can't complain
Everybody's got the right to be free
But that's not me

(Chorus)

Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain
Never be the same
Try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go
Where I don't want to go

(Chorus)

I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x6)


Lyrics submitted by sakebox

Flame Lyrics as written by Louis Knox Barlow

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Flame song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    I understand why one might think this is about anal sex, but the line "she's pushing me to go where I want to go sort of negates that." More likely it's about submission in general, and having mixed feeling about submitting.
    Speed Is Dreamingon August 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think it is about drugs. "I don't want to be the one who rides flame I don't know her name I don't want to go where the seekers all go I don't want to go" - First is so anti-drugs. seekers all go, to get new experiences etc. "You can feel anything you want to feel (x2) and call it real but I don't want to be the one who rides flame (x2)]" -whatever he feels while on drugs will just be like artificial to him. "I can't complain though I'm wrapped up in chains I can't complain everybody's got the right to be free but that's not me" - people beleive drugs take them to another place another world, but he is so tied down to his life that he believes he should just accept it. "Hit the flame, burn a hole in my brain never be the same try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go where I don't want to go" -and finally he takes the drugs. flame can be referring to the kind of drug. but burn a hole in his brain could be killing of brain cells or any effects drugs have, and now that he has experienced it he will never be the same, the girl (possibly girlfriend) is still pushing him to do more or continue it. and the end sounds like regret, GREAT SONGGGGGGGG!
    lycanthropy-on September 07, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i dont think it has to do with drugs. the line "try to take it slow, but she's pushing me to go where I don't want to go" is almost an obvious reference to a girl forcing a guy to have sex with her but that sounds far fetched so maybe you guys are right.
    doorman666on March 31, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    The songs about meth. Promise.
    JustinStarbuckon January 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Great song, with a great beat. I think it's about going very, very fast.
    sakeboxon April 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    im thinkin the song is about anal sex...just a thought
    mulmoon December 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is great. Recently featured in the Toy Machine's skate vid called Good and Evil, on Josh Harmony's part. The meaning eludes me though.
    klaythanon March 31, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I mean, This song could be about anything that has to do with rebelling. It could be about drugs? Who knows.
    BulletProofPrincesson May 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation
    I think you're right about the drug meaning of this song. "Hitting the flame" in the last verse is a pretty poetic allusion to smoking anything. And the rest of the words support it. Barlow tends to have a pretty self-referencing bent in his songs -- this track is sort of analogous to the thin resistance and quick giving-in of "Rebound." But he's so aware of the negatives. Thanks for the post.
    johnxon March 09, 2009   Link

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