This song is timeless, and nearly 20 years after its creation, still possesses the mystique it did the first time i heard it ~1994. To me, at first blush, all those years ago, it had some kind of homo-erotic allure. The line "so that the others may do" tells of something which must be done for others to follow suit. It felt like like some kind of roxy-glam-pop invitation to sexual liberation.
Upon further introspection I think the song may not have an intrinsic meaning, but simply represents a sort of "holding open the door" for people who otherwise might be affronted by this song/band's unusual style. I know, as a sort of armchair rock-historian, that there have been few bands so daring and so true to the sound that wanted to emerge from within, whether the creator wanted it or not. This band handled it with elegance and grace seldom, if ever, seen.
If there's nothing in the darkness
Then why do you lie awake?
Something in the shadows
Is keeping you from sleep
What are you afraid of?
Hiding in the night
Haunting figures appear
In the corner of your eye
Is death waiting to lash out
Or a ghost behind the breeze
A devil in the cornfield
Or the beast among the trees
Are those wretched raving ravens
All harbingers of your doom
Is the black cat crossing your path
A prelude to your tomb
[Chorus]
The sun falls like a guillotine
The dark comes alive with unsavory beings
Lock the door
And run and hide
And hold your breath
And you just might
Survive the night
Your safety's false
Your logic's skewed
Now your complacent
Point of view
Will be the true death of you
Are there creaks in the floorboards
When you're alone in the room?
Are the footsteps in the attic
With each rising of the moon?
Strange sounds in the distance
Whatever could they be?
You're powerless to the deadly
Foul things lurking unseen
[Chorus]
The sun falls like a guillotine
The dark comes alive with unsavory beings
Lock the door
And run and hide
And hold your breath
And you just might survive the night
Your safety's false
Your logic's skewed
Now your complacent
Point of view
Will be the true death of you
Chattering teeth and rattling bones
Out in the blackness your nightmares grow
Dreadful thoughts make your blood run cold
The witching hour has taken hold
Deep in the bleak recess of your soul
Is where the terror makes its home
If there's nothing in the darkness
Then why do you lie awake
Something in the shadows
Is keeping you from sleep
Then why do you lie awake?
Something in the shadows
Is keeping you from sleep
What are you afraid of?
Hiding in the night
Haunting figures appear
In the corner of your eye
Is death waiting to lash out
Or a ghost behind the breeze
A devil in the cornfield
Or the beast among the trees
Are those wretched raving ravens
All harbingers of your doom
Is the black cat crossing your path
A prelude to your tomb
[Chorus]
The sun falls like a guillotine
The dark comes alive with unsavory beings
Lock the door
And run and hide
And hold your breath
And you just might
Survive the night
Your safety's false
Your logic's skewed
Now your complacent
Point of view
Will be the true death of you
Are there creaks in the floorboards
When you're alone in the room?
Are the footsteps in the attic
With each rising of the moon?
Strange sounds in the distance
Whatever could they be?
You're powerless to the deadly
Foul things lurking unseen
[Chorus]
The sun falls like a guillotine
The dark comes alive with unsavory beings
Lock the door
And run and hide
And hold your breath
And you just might survive the night
Your safety's false
Your logic's skewed
Now your complacent
Point of view
Will be the true death of you
Chattering teeth and rattling bones
Out in the blackness your nightmares grow
Dreadful thoughts make your blood run cold
The witching hour has taken hold
Deep in the bleak recess of your soul
Is where the terror makes its home
If there's nothing in the darkness
Then why do you lie awake
Something in the shadows
Is keeping you from sleep
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
X French T-Shirt
Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think
Loved by You
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
The fourteenth track, "Loved By You" of the singer's latest studio album titled "Justice", was produced by Josh Gudwin, Skrillex, Jason Evigan & LeriQ. It was released on March 19, 2021.
Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth
Black Keys, The
Black Keys, The
This standout track comes off the artiste's latest reissue titled "Brothers Deluxe Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition". The track was produced by Mark Neill, Patrick Carney & Dan Auerbach. It was released via major streaming platforms on December 18, 2020.
Real Groove
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
This standalone single marks the latest collaboration between the artists. It was produced by Nico Stadi & Teemu Brunila and released on December 31, 2020.
Nothing Like Me
Uncle Murda
Uncle Murda
This hard-hitting hip-hop track marks the first official collaboration between the two rappers. It is off Uncle Murda's latest studio album titled "Don’t Come Outside, Vol. 3", and was released on January 1, 2021.