This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip, drip
I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes
I know its daft, but I guess I know it deep inside
It feels like we're ready to crack these days, you and I
When it's just the two of us, only the two of us, I could die
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
Drip, drip, drip, drip
I'll sit in silence for the rest of my life if you'd like
Dressing our wounds with industrial gloves made of wire
Feel it penetrating the skin, we begin to relax
When it's just the two of us, and a cute little cup of cyanide
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip
Drip, drip, drip, drip
I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes
I know its daft, but I guess I know it deep inside
It feels like we're ready to crack these days, you and I
When it's just the two of us, only the two of us, I could die
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
Drip, drip, drip, drip
I'll sit in silence for the rest of my life if you'd like
Dressing our wounds with industrial gloves made of wire
Feel it penetrating the skin, we begin to relax
When it's just the two of us, and a cute little cup of cyanide
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
You left my heart like an abandoned car
Old and worn and no use at all
But I used to be free
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
It's casting shadows and lies
We're gonna separate ourselves tonight
We're always running scared but holding knives
But there's a black chandelier
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Simon Neil has said in interviews that he had a problem with depression when writing some of the songs on the album Opposites. To get the song meaning simply look at the first line "Drip Drip" many believe this is a innuendo for what he may of been thinking at the time, most come up for the idea that he must off been thinking of hanging himself. This idea of suicide can also be seen in the line "cute little cup of cyanide". Saying this i have no idea why he was in a depressive state of mind but this mood is in many of their albums such as Infinity Land and Puzzles
I believe that this song is separating ourselves from the rest of society. The music video shows everyone covered in black paint except the band members. "separate ourselves tonight" separate from society. "running scared and holding knives" people in society that back stab and we stab back. We also run from people who are out to harm us. The black chandelier that's casting shadows and holding lies is peer pressure that has us scared and rumors society creates. but this is my interpretation, it doesn't have to be his or yours.
I forgot about Biffy until I heard this song the other day. I am guessing this song is about a relationship that both people know is falling apart. One person wants to make it work while the other wants to move on.
I agree with the last comment and think the drip is it dripping down and falling apart
I think that it's a relationship that is heavily strained, and he knows that he hasn't lived up to what she thought he was. The second verse I think is indicitive that he is comfortable and accepting when they hurt each other because the pain is what still connects them. The Chorus I think is talking about how they are strained by lies and dishonesty and that they are finally going to find the end. For good or bad.
This song speaks of two people who really share the same feelings, both doubts and love. Even if it is painful they don't reach the goal to separate! I think the "black chandelier" is a symbol of a greater instance that makes them want to separate on the one hand, but on the other hand, it keeps them together. This undefinable "instance" is love - love is an ability and also a DECISION: they choose to stick together despite all hate and quarrel.
To me this speaks of Simon's inner termoil battling with his own dark thoughts and nothing more, almost mild psychizophrenia - "only the two of us", "separate ourselves", "casting shadows" etc...
Anyone who has followed Biffy over the years will know most of the lyrics are Simon venting, couple that with some awesome rock riffs and this is what makes Biffy so great! Love this song!
Sounds like it was inspired by the painting called The Absinthe Drinker by Edgas Degas - which at the time was a statement about social isolation in the face of rapid (industrial) change. Absinthe then was dripped into a glass of water and contained a poison that did in fact kill some people (a cute cup of cyanide).
I think all your comments are different interpretations of Simon's thoughts while writing Black Chandelier. This is the magic of music and songwriting. We don't need or want to know what the song really means. You just have to feel the lyrics and if they make sense to you that's the most important. You can find a lot of different meanings while listening to the song and none of them will be wrong. The main goal is to feel something. No matter what you feel you feel it right. Biffy's a great band and Simon's a great songwriter. Thumb up.
All the previously mentioned theories are good. However, Simon mentioned in the interview how the song was about him and his partner unable to have a baby because of private reasons to do with Simon. He talks about difficulties to conceive.