The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
What are the words that I'm supposed to say?
Your white skin, swirling fireflies.
Darkness has surrounded Baltimore bay.
Why don't you open your blue eyes?
Are they things that water can't wash away?
How can your absence leave no trace?
As I let you sink in Baltimore bay.
I drown myself deep in disgrace.
What is the price, am I supposed to pay?
For all the things I try to hide?
What is my fate, am I supposed to pray?
That trouble's gone with the sunlight?
A warm sun rises and ignites the bay.
I come back home and start to cry
I'll never come back to Baltimore bay.
Try to forget the fireflies.
What are the words that I'm supposed to say?
If someone knew about this lie?
If your body rises to the surface?
Through the silence of fireflies
Your white skin, swirling fireflies.
Darkness has surrounded Baltimore bay.
Why don't you open your blue eyes?
Are they things that water can't wash away?
How can your absence leave no trace?
As I let you sink in Baltimore bay.
I drown myself deep in disgrace.
What is the price, am I supposed to pay?
For all the things I try to hide?
What is my fate, am I supposed to pray?
That trouble's gone with the sunlight?
A warm sun rises and ignites the bay.
I come back home and start to cry
I'll never come back to Baltimore bay.
Try to forget the fireflies.
What are the words that I'm supposed to say?
If someone knew about this lie?
If your body rises to the surface?
Through the silence of fireflies
Lyrics submitted by revanchist
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im living in a world of shallow people. i'm coming to accept it
I agree with your idea of the metaphorical use of drowning as in 'Wasteland' (my personal favourite)he says 'The memories of the boy I've been were drowning and you saved them' so there is clearly some connection between his lyrics and drowning, i have yet to understand what his lyrics really mean however.<br /> <br /> We do indeed live in a world of shallow people.<br /> <br /> RLC
I'm gonna post the lyrics here and write my interpretation per verse.
What are the words that I'm supposed to say? Your white skin, swirling fireflies. Darkness has surrounded Baltimore bay. Why don't you open your blue eyes? Are they things that water can't wash away? How can your absence leave no trace? As I let you sink in Baltimore bay. I drown myself deep in disgrace.
Now, I believe that the person "Drowning" is an aspect of the artist themselves, and Baltimore Bay is an area inside themselves that they're hiding that aspect. This aspect is something that they are heavily ashamed of, but is an important part of them. My mind went to being gay, as I've felt the same way about that. I realize that not all homosexuals go through this problem, but with some quick research I learned that the artist is himself gay. They don't know how to tell people about this aspect. It is not something about them that that can just "wash away". It's not a minor thing. They're asking how something so that is important is missing and hidden from others and people don't notice.
What is the price, am I supposed to pay? For all the things I try to hide? What is my fate, am I supposed to pray? That trouble's gone with the sunlight?
They're asking how much they need to give in order for people to not find out, as once again, they are ashamed of this aspect. They're hoping that if they wish it hard enough that this aspect will eventually leave, with the next day.
A warm sun rises and ignites the bay. I come back home and start to cry I'll never come back to Baltimore bay. Try to forget the fireflies. What are the words that I'm supposed to say? If someone knew about this lie? If your body rises to the surface? Through the silence of fireflies
As the next day starts, they realize that this aspect is still there, and they hate it. They never want to think about this aspect, and leave it in that area they will never tread on again, the bay. They want to forget that the aspect exists. They don't know what they would say if someone found this out about them, but the "body" is slowly rising, and becoming more clear as the fireflies flash and draw more attention to it.
This is just what I get from it, and it's 100% possible that I'm using my own history into the song, but that's why it's call interpretation, eh? :P
This is one of the most amazing songs.
I've spent about 3 months trying to sing along or at least decipher the lyrics and finally they're available. This Yoann Lemoine guy has a great voice, thank goodness he decided to but film on hold while writing music.
Im so ecstatic that these lyrics are better in every way than anything i thought, i dont think i can do this justice right now but as far as the meaning goes-- it's clear he's drowned somebody and dealing with sincere guilt and shame. Possibly metaphoric for the end of a relationship.
People have to talk about this music! it's rich and rewarding? what the fucks going on!?
Agreed, this is beautiful stuff. I think I agree with the literal interpretation too. The fireflies are clearly something he associated with the relationship - they once brought him joy, now they just remind him of his guilt.
I could so see this with some Dexter commercial or something. Just Perfect.
The killing and the action of sinking the body are a metaphor for the all the things we do or we are, that we are ashamed of. Conscience is killing him because he knows the rest of the world does not approve of what he did or of what he secretly is. The last four lines close the idea:
What are the words that I'm supposed to say? If someone knew about this lie? If your body rises to the surface? Through the silence of fireflies
The body in the bay is the same as the phrase "skeletons in the closet". It is a beautiful metaphor with beautiful imagery. He may have been inspired by this image he published on his Tumblr: woodkid.tumblr.com/post/44986488207/bill-henson
You people are reading too much into it. He's murdered someone (maybe his girlfriend for whatever reason) and he's haunted and ashamed by it as he gets rid of the body by throwing it into the sea. "Your white skin" "Why don't you open your blue eyes?" "What is the price, am I supposed to pay? For all the things I try to hide?"
He's afraid of what will happen to him if they find the body and out him as a murderer. He can never go back to Baltimore bay.