build them up-high and strong
so you'll never have to hurt too long
put them up-til they surround
and there's no real you left to be found
hold it up-high above no fear of hope or trust
or love
close it up-and hold your ground and wait until
it's time to finally close it down
"even if you want--you can't hurt me now"
(this isn't easy to admit but i don't think i'm
believing it-i'm afraid this time)


Lyrics submitted by NaginalJJ

Afraid This Time Lyrics as written by Klayton

Lyrics © Sentric Music

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Afraid This Time song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Wow, no ones commented on this song yet! This is one of the most touching songs from celldweller and no ones commented on it. ANYWAY

    Probobly about his being cold and distant to his gf/wife/ whatever. and he's battling something in his own mind, and is saying that he doesnt care. So he puts up his Defensive "Walls" Expecting her to stay, but hes afraid shell leave

    TheLastFirstborn22on January 24, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    yeah this is an awesome song. if i'd known about this site i certainly would've commented sooner. I think you're right about how he's battling something in his own mind... I wonder if the conflict is based on trust. maybe his walls come from being violated in the past and now it is preventing him from being close to his girlfriend. yeah, he's afraid. probably afraid of trust.

    cloudunderon February 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "this isn't easy to admit, but im afraid."

    that is SO cuteee !

    hopelessloveon August 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've always thought that this song was about mental walls. When you've got walls, all you want to do is break them down, but you're afraid to because it's all you've ever known. You can keep whoever you want out if you've got them - no one can hurt you because you don't allow anything good or bad into your life.

    Electro Tunedon March 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah, this is definitely about mental walls. He keeps referring to 'build them up' and such, obviously meaning the walls, to keep out the pain, the love, and frankly all emotions. He's basically saying that he's secluded and iscolated himself, so he doesn't have to be exposed to anything, and you can't show him love, hate, pain, etc. - he won't be aware of it.

    I love this song. Klayton needs more exposure though! He's a great artist.

    bluxshadowson July 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It is about metal walls and being afraid to cross them.. and Klayton sings this perfectly.

    Frys_Galon February 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    For whatever reason he is building mental walls. Distancing himself from everything and everyone. No emotion gets through. When we get to"this isn't easy to admit, but i don't think I'm believeing it i'm afraid this time..." I believe someone got to him, and he's stopped being distant and is afraid to do so.

    But that's just my opinion. That's my first comment here so let me know what you think of my opinion.

    richk1693on June 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song really hits home for me, i always want to cry whenever i listen to it.

    Guavaon September 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I imagine this song being about a bully or abuser.

    mrsticky005on December 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song to death, this has got to be my favorite song that he has done (besides symbiont). I cried so hard to this song. I know this is about mental walls as everyone else has said. But it also strikes me as the song about going through hardships in a relationship. Or a new relationship.

    "This isn't easy to admit, But I don't think i'm believing it, i'm afraid this time. "

    He cannot figure out why he is afraid of going into a relationship.

    Or, He is afraid to admit, he is terrified of being alone.

    "Even if you want, you can't touch me now, leave me if you want, you can't hurt me now..."

    That strikes me as he is being left in a relationship, and he doesn't know what to do.

    Klayton, we've all been there somewhere down the road.

    SaiSaion March 04, 2009   Link

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