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Apocalypse Lyrics

You leapt from crumbling bridges watching cityscapes turn to dust
Filming helicopters crashing in the ocean from way above

Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
You've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye

Kisses on the foreheads of the lovers wrapped in your arms
You've been hiding them in hollowed out pianos left in the dark

Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
You've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye

Your lips
My lips
Apocalypse
Your lips
My lips
Apocalypse
Go and sneak us through the rivers flood is rising up on your knees
Oh please
Come out and haunt me
I know you want me
Come out and haunt me

Sharing all your secrets with each other since you were kids
Sleeping soundly with the locket that she gave you clutched in your fist

Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
Got the music in you baby
Tell me why
You've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye
You've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye

Oh
When you're all alone
I will reach for you
When you're feeling low
I will be there too
Song Info
Submitted by
mellow_harsher On Jun 18, 2018
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8 Meanings

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Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

It’s a beautiful song, but the lyrics are quite troubling as implied in the title. The Greek meaning of Apocalypse is “revelation” or literally to uncover something hidden. But in English it normally refers to prophetic, eschatological destruction of the earth associated with Christ’s return. This English meaning is due to the connection of these themes in book of Revelation (“Apocalypse” in Greek). We’ll see that both basic meanings (revelation and final destruction are likely implied).

The song starts out with this destructive, apocalyptic scene of crumbling bridges, city scapes turning to dust, and helicopters falling from the sky.

What causes this destruction? “Your lips, my lips, apocalypse”. It could signify the destructive nature of words, but it quite obviously signifies destruction ensuing from the revelation of forbidden love expressed in a kiss.

This kiss allows us to tease out this double meaning of Apocalypse because it not only causes destruction but uncovers something hidden a long time.

Now things are going to get interesting... and frankly, a little disturbing.

Apparently this passionate moment exploded after many years of mutual, pent up sensual desire.

This long-lasting tension is signified in phrases like, “since you were kids”, “locked in here forever”, and “haunt me”... not even death itself will solve this dilemma. This line is particularly artistic because “haunt me” is quite paradoxical. Who makes such an invitation?

And now we can start to uncover the secret...

The apocalypse is the destruction of their world, their environment, their home... their mutual home. Mostly likely, they are step-siblings.

The boy’s mother married the girl’s father after the girl’s mother died. The artist has to change some pronouns to keep things relatively hidden, but this is implied in the verse,

“Sharing all your secrets with each other since you were kids. Sleeping soundly with the locket that she gave you clutched in your fist...”

The boy and girl grew up together, and they were extremely intimate. He knows her secrets, he knows her sleeping habits, he knows her psychology, he knows her soul.

Apparently they had a lifelong crush which was finally uncovered and destroyed everything.

The “filming helicopters” may symbolize the fact people are watching, even during such a turbulent scene. The girl leaping from the bridge may signify her bailing on the relationship once it was uncovered.

But he knows she still wants him. Not only is this directly stated, “I know you want me” but also “you got the music in you baby, tell me why!” He thinks she still wants her.

Meanwhile, she’s putting lovers in a “hallowed piano” — something with a semblance of an instrument but actually a dark, physical and emotional space, devoid of “the music” which is the part of him she carries inside her.

And in a last artistic maneuver, the song ends... and then returns with this last verse. He’s not giving up, even after the death of their relationship, even after the Apocalypse. He’s waiting for his chance. Wow, hopefully we’ll hear what happens next!

[Edit: 555]

@catchingmuses Wow! Never thought it would be so deep. you've explained it so deeply. Thank you

@catchingmuses I liked that.

[Comment Removed]

Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

I’m going through something very much like this: In love with my best friend having never told her. We had a huge fight years ago and never made up. She got married (and subsequently divorced) and now we might be fixing our friendship after 10 years of silence. This song killed me when I heard it.I dont know if I’ll ever tell her I love her,but I hope we can at least make up and forgive each other,and get our friendship back.

@pekingesej bro this is beautiful tell her rn

Tell her. I would want to know...Something like that could be the the very thing that changes both your lives for the better...Tell her.

@pekingesej She needs to know. A decade is plenty of time to have matured and bettered yourselves. You both know better, so do better. Reach out to her, forgive one another and see if you can just hit the restart button! Communicate. You got this.

Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

No comments?!?!?! Are you kidding? This song rocks my world. I see it as a tribute to the lost love. THE Lost Love. The one that got away. The one that haunts you just as much as you haunt them. The one you will never stop thinking about despite space and time and the absolute inability to be together. "Got the music in you baby, tell me why you've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye."

Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

The author says "What the song is about is sort of vague and strange. It kinda involves some girls I dated in my hometown- based on how they were really imaginative and they wanted to travel and see the world but they were trapped in the city. They were sort of aimless as well. It’s sort of a love letter to them."

Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3EI5bRCg_I

Song Meaning
Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

In spite of the author own interpretation I see it like this:

She has left him. That is the meaning of the "leapt". And when she did, is already fragile (because of fear of losing her) world crumbled down, the whole city (is world) and even hellicopters in the air. She is put on the status of goddess since she sees it all from above or simply means she is unarmed and he thinks maybe she doesn't care what has just happened to his world (and to him), so that's why she is distant in the skies.

He is baffled by her so much that he feels music when he sees her or when he is with her. He asks how is that possible? Some secret mystery she has in her.

"You've been locked in here forever and you just can't say goodbye" (in spite of the author says it's the girls that can get out of the city) I think it's more beautiful to think he's totally and crazy in love with her. And she is locked in his heart and can't leave his heart even if she is leaving.

"Your lips my lips Apocalypse" means that he feels that when is kissing her it could be the last kiss and it's a goodbye kiss, so their relation will never last because he already know she will leave him one day or another. In spite of the he feels it's a powerfull and precious kiss even if it's goodbye that will bring destruction to his world.

"Kisses on the foreheads of the lovers wrapped in your arms You've been hiding them in hollowed out pianos left in the dark" - This means that this is what he feels she does to lovers like him, kisses them on the foreheads when she will say the last goodbye and leave them hidden and lost in the dary (like pianos with no sound or sould just forgotten and cannot be heard by her anymore)

The rest is pretty obvious they know and share secrets and good times since they were kids and he loves her since then by all the memories and a locket that she gave him that he hangs to him when he goes to sleep.

In the final words he says that he will be always be there for her when she wants. Even if she leaves him. He will still lover her and always will...

My Interpretation
Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

This song, the title, lyrics and melody trigger profound meaning and guidance.

The song "Apocalypse" symbolises the intense and transformative nature of a relationship between two individuals who share a deep telepathic bond from childhood that transcends physical distance and time, serving as a catalyst for their personal growth and self-discovery. "Apocalypse" hints at the idea of personal revelation or awakening, a profound upheaval in their lives, as they are swept away by the intensity of their connection, highlighting the transformative power of deep connections, and the intertwined nature of love and self-discovery.

Their connection is characterised by intense love, obsession, and addiction, as they find solace and vitality in each other presence. The phrase "you got the music in you" suggests that the person possesses a special quality of essence that brings out joy, inspiration and vitality to their life, akin to music. The follow-up question, "tell me why" indicates a desire for a deeper understanding of this inherent quality. It is as if the person is seeking confirmation of explanation from the other person, wanting to understand what makes them so special and why they have such a profound impact on their life.

These lyrics could be seen as a tender acknowledgement of the person's unique essence and a reflection of the deep connection and admiration between the two individuals. But the intense love and obsession they feel for each other ultimately act as a mirror, reflecting back to them, their own essence and innermost desires and serve as a catalyst for self-discovery and growth. They are seeing aspects of themselves mirrored back to them through the other person. The qualities they admire or desire in their person's behaviours and traits, reveal aspects of themselves that resonate with their core that they may have not been fully aware of or have been avoiding. The connection mirrors hidden qualities within themselves and is there to serve as a trigger and destruction of all the fears, limitations, roles and masks they wear that prevent them from being their true authentic self.

However, their addiction to each other blinds them to this deeper truth, as they become consumed by the fulfilment of the other person. There is a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire for physical closeness, as they yearn to merge their souls in a tangible way. They struggle to let go of the connection, to say goodbye energetically, even when it becomes clear that the fantasy of their connection is haunting and depleting them, making them alone and holding them back from fully embracing their authentic self and life in the present moment.

The melody is melancholic and sad like their whole life has been depleted from joy, inspiration and vitality by holding on to this connection and living in this fantasy. The melody in the song serves as a reminder of the importance of recognising when a connection has served its purpose and acknowledging the lessons it has taught us. While the love and intensity of the relationship may have been profound. It is important to release attachments and move forward on our own path towards self-discovery and personal fulfilment.

The ultimate purpose of the connection was to bring out the music within each other, the joy, vitality, and inspiration that had been dormant. The connection was there to transform and uncover the music that was hidden within YOU all along.

[Edit: grammar check]

My Interpretation
Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

Dont know what it means, but surely i know how i feel when listening to it ... sad ... so yes surely about lost love

Cover art for Apocalypse lyrics by Cigarettes After Sex

When I listen to this song I find myself wishing I was the girl he's singing about,,,unrequited love could be around the very,,, next,,, corner,,,<333

@DearZiola it’s about you