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"
Everybody turn with a blind eye
To a diet of death and cyanide
(Just pre-)
Just pretend that
(Tend you're)
You're okay
(Okay)
And it will all be fine
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
The scenery is quintessential and
And our ignorance is fundamental
To our pending demise
Now I claw out my eyes
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
Is there no repentance
For me here?
Is there any other way
For me to try
For death to die
Kiss your life goodbye
And hold the sun
Feel the fire in my eyes
It's only just begun
It's only just begun
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
Welcome to the fall
Goodbye Babylon
Goodbye
To a diet of death and cyanide
(Just pre-)
Just pretend that
(Tend you're)
You're okay
(Okay)
And it will all be fine
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
The scenery is quintessential and
And our ignorance is fundamental
To our pending demise
Now I claw out my eyes
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
Is there no repentance
For me here?
Is there any other way
For me to try
For death to die
Kiss your life goodbye
And hold the sun
Feel the fire in my eyes
It's only just begun
It's only just begun
Welcome to the fall of Babylon
(Welcome to the fall)
And the rapture of the world
We built it on
Welcome to the fall
Goodbye Babylon
Goodbye
Lyrics submitted by BreezyDragon
Babylon Lyrics as written by Alessandro Paveri Aaron Vincent Nordstrom
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it's about how so many people try to numb themselves and look for quick fixes or instant gratification that doesn't help them in the long run. The first verse especially seems to suggest this.
The "diet of death and cyanide" could refer to alcohol, hard drugs, or both as a crutch to escape some internal struggle.
"Welcome to the fall of Babylon" is definitely a biblical reference that might also be a political reference too. Babylon was destroyed several times, with Cyrus, Xerxes and Alexander all being credited for defeating Babylon in the BCs. One story also has it that God destroyed the Tower of Babylon because the people there were getting too powerful. This could refer to politicians and what they're doing to the world.
"And the rapture of the world we built it on" Rapture as a transitive verb means to fill with joy. This one's a little tricky. I reckon it refers to destroying something to elevate ourselves. We, as a species, have done some fucked up things just to put ourselves above others. Put together, the chorus might mean this is starting to look like the end is coming because of what we do to each other just to feel good. It won't last because what goes around comes around. It's karma.
"The scenery is quintessential and our ignorance is fundamental"
Quintessential means basically, the perfect or typical example of a thing or person. The above has stopped surprising him as it's become typical. Ignorance is fundamental, basically meaning this is being caused by ignorance. We're fucking ourselves over because the cycle just won't end and we're just perpetuating it.
"Is there no repentance for me here" and the following lines. He's looking for a better way, but isn't sure he can find it. The cycle is too ingrained in civilisations as a whole.
"Kiss your life goodbye" and following lines. He's angry at what he sees, partly (if not wholly) because we did this to ourselves. We don't change enough to get out of the cycle and find a better way to live with each other.
Even if I'm completely wrong, it's still an absolutely phenomenal song. Aaron is an excellent singer and the band did a great job of this.