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Heel Turn 2 Lyrics
Get stomped like a snake
Lie down in the dirt
Cling to my convictions
Even when I get hurt
Be an upstanding well-loved man about town
In your child’s mind that’s how it goes down
But I tried
The losing side
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
Drift down into the new dark light
Without any reservations
You found my breaking point
Congratulations
Spent too much of my life now trying to play fair
Throw my better self overboard, shoot at him when he comes up for air
Come unhinged
Get revenge
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
Stay good under pressure
For years and years and years and years
President of the fan club
Up there choking on his tears
Let all the trash rain down
From way up in the rafters
I’m walking out of here in one piece
Don’t care what comes after
Drive the wedge
Torch the bridge
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
Lie down in the dirt
Cling to my convictions
Even when I get hurt
In your child’s mind that’s how it goes down
The losing side
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
Without any reservations
You found my breaking point
Congratulations
Throw my better self overboard, shoot at him when he comes up for air
Get revenge
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
For years and years and years and years
President of the fan club
Up there choking on his tears
From way up in the rafters
I’m walking out of here in one piece
Don’t care what comes after
Torch the bridge
I don’t want to die in here
I don’t want to die in here
Song Info
Submitted by
jtk1993 On Feb 03, 2015
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In wrestling, a heel turn is a moment when a wrestler goes from being a hero to being a villain. This song is about that moment in the career of this unnamed wrestler.
He's been the "good guy" throughout his career, but he notices that the "bad guys" get more fame and victories (but I tried / the losing side) so he becomes one of them. He completely leaves his good guy persona behind (throw my better self overboard / shoot at him when he comes up for air).
This action has consequence, however. His fans, the fans who once loved him, are now disappointed that he's changed (president of the fan club up there/ choking on his tears) and he gets treated like a bad guy by the audience (Let all the trash rain down / from way up in the rafters), but he doesn't care anymore.
Lots of Darnielle's songs are extended metaphors for his own struggles, or human struggles in general. To me, this is a song about the moment you realize that you need to be selfish in order to save your own life. "Drive the wedge, torch the bridge, I don't want to die in here." Could be mental illness, substance issues, relationship problems--it's about the moment when you're willing to sacrifice everything to avoid sacrificing yourself.