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Smoke And Ashes Lyrics

I'd heard rumors and I'd heard talk
About the trail you'd left of broken hearts
About the sea of tears too wide to cross
But a little bad press has never scared me off
So I burned a path to figure out
How to get me some of what you got


I've got a red hot heart
If the talk is true your's is the same
And we should be together
And let our passions fan love's flame


When I looked for you I almost passed you by
You were so cool and calm
I thought my friends had lied
But I thought so much reserve must make you wild inside
It was there and then that I knew
I had to get some of what you got


I've got a red hot heart
If the talk is true your's is the same
And we should be together
And let our passions fan love's flame


I thought I'd won your heart when I held you hand in mine
I thought it was true love the way we complemented each other
But my right is your wrong
And when you're right then I'm left with nothing
Your light and your heat have all been spent
Leaving only smoke and ashes
Only smoke and ashes baby


I've got a red hot heart
And your heart's as blue as the blood in your veins
I say there's fire down below
You say it's only smoke and ashes baby


I'm crying all the time
Salty stinging tears
And mourning for the past carbon-dated years
But knowing now for certain that you were always right
Because if a breeze could blow you out of my life
It's only smoke and ashes baby
Only smoke and ashes baby


I've got a red hot heart
And your heart's as blue as the blood in your veins
I say there's fire down below
You say it's only smoke and ashes baby


I was blinded by devotion
My unwavering love for you
So blinded that I thought all your lies were true
But now I know for certain since you've gone away
It was just a smoldering fire I mistook for a blaze
Only smoke and ashes baby


I've got a red hot heart
And your heart's as blue as the blood in your veins
I say there's fire down below
You say it's only smoke and ashes baby
Only smoke and ashes baby, baby ...
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4 Meanings

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Cover art for Smoke And Ashes lyrics by Tracy Chapman

Firstly, what's all this about guys and girls? There's no mention of gender. Anywhoo, this song is about falling in love by yourself. Once you realize that the other person didn't love you, you realize you never really loved him or her either.

Cover art for Smoke And Ashes lyrics by Tracy Chapman

This song is about a girl who goes after a guy with a bad reputation thinking she can make him change. But she ends up finding out that there is nothing left for him to give.

Cover art for Smoke And Ashes lyrics by Tracy Chapman

i dont think she is trying to change him...i think she likes the idea of this guy being a player/bad boy and wants to see it for her self. when she gets to know him she see's there isnt much there to begin with. maybe his good looking and has zero personality kinda thing. thats how ive always taken this song...i love tracy...saw here in 2000 in orlando..she blew me away. she is coming to atlanta after he european tour..cant wait

I believe this song to be about a person who has been perceived as exaggerated in character, put above there true feelings. "I've got a red hot heart and yours is as blue as the blood in your veins" One is willing to keep the fire going but the other is to proud to show their true self always putting on a show until "it's only smoke and ashes".