The first verse definitely has hints of a battle with depression. 'the dark is too hard to beat' describes the feeling of overwhelming hopelessness. 'not keeping now the strength I need to push me' belies a lack of self-motivation, which is actually one of the criteria of the diagnosis of clinical depression, another of which is insomnia; 'I'm not sleeping now'. Likewise, having 'a way' and then 'losing it all on my own' implies a self-blame for the path away from 'home'. Unfortunately I can't really see the deeper meaning relating to the overthrown queen and her heart.
At first I didn't really understand how lights would turn to stone, but after listening to the song again I think she abbreviates her sentences a bit. For example:
I had a way then/ [i.e. I had a way BACK then, or, I had found my own way back then in the past]
I had a heart then/
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone --> You have some 'light' which keeps me human, if you think that stone can imply either death or hopelessness... heart of stone... etc etc basically I think that means that there is this one person which she gets her hope from, which stops her from being completely overcome by her depression, someone who keeps her sane even when she's alone 'you shine it when I'm alone/And so I tell myself that I'll be strong'. This person [or the 'light' that this person has] is amazing because it even instills life into her when the person/light isn't there 'dreaming when I'm gone'. To further over-elaborate, as soon as there is mention of light in the song, the lyrics turn from words of desperation ['losing', 'overthrown', 'not sleeping', 'too hard to beat' etc] to words of hope ['shine', 'strong', 'dreaming'].
The constant repeat of 'calling home/calling me home' is like the constant pull of the previous place she 'felt safe', with her 'brother' and 'sister'. I guess the light provides a reminiscent/nostalgic reminder? After all, home is the place where there is supposed to be unconditional love.
The second verse is a definite move on from the depressed state she was in in verse one. The fact that she's 'hoping I'm still breathing' is the opposite to wishing she could die, which is what is known as 'suicidal ideation'... yet another diagnostic criteria of depression. Thinking back to her sleeping siblings implies that she was an elder sibling who had to take care of them. This thought could be further developed; because her parents were gone [dead? deserted?], they lived in an 'unlocked place'. The fact that her parents are not mentioned might even imply that they were neither good nor bad in her mind, but merely absent.
To talk a little about the musicality of the song, the lightness of the shimmering synthesizer at the start remains from start all the way to finish, and brings to mind twinkling stars. Her innocent voice definitely contrasts with the darkness of the lyrics of the first verse. However once the chorus kicks in, it's sung in a two-voice octave harmony which dispells the sense of alone-ness of the first verse and brings a sense of company.
To read a little between the lines, I would guess that family is the major underlying message here, that even if it was just her, her brother and her sister without her parents, even if they lived in an unlocked place, the emotional security that they gave each other was far better than anything else the world had to offer. Even a broken family with trust and love is better than none.
Some questions I'd like to postulate.
1) 'Light' is probably just a symbol for hope. But what is it really? What could 'call' her home, or call home?
2) the person she calls 'you' is never really elaborated on either. It's unlikely 'you' is a real physical person as she can't be alone when there is a 'you' to shine the lights [because... her... plus 'you'... is two people... which is the opposite of being alone, which is one person. Being alone with someone is different!]
3) Calling calling calling home not only sounds cool but perhaps emulates a telephone ringing?
4) Could the 'queen' be a codename for a significant other in her new life [away from home] that, once 'overthrown', caused misery/borderline depression?
I understand the sentence of "But the queen has been overthrown." It lightly ties into an almost religious status. Maybe it's too obvious but, to me it means She was knocked down and brought back to real sense of reality. Brought back in a senseless fashion. I'm sure we've all been there. In a high and mighty showcase then brought down like a dirty dog.
I understand the sentence of "But the queen has been overthrown." It lightly ties into an almost religious status. Maybe it's too obvious but, to me it means She was knocked down and brought back to real sense of reality. Brought back in a senseless fashion. I'm sure we've all been there. In a high and mighty showcase then brought down like a dirty dog.
In all religions it's, in a general sense, almost the opposite of religion. That very sentence is exactly why religion was ever thought of. in my opinion. Just maybe my insight is slightly...
In all religions it's, in a general sense, almost the opposite of religion. That very sentence is exactly why religion was ever thought of. in my opinion. Just maybe my insight is slightly off base with how the song plays into it. but I see it plays some part.
I suppose the best word for what that sentence is almost 'ignorant'.
Response to #1... and also a bit of my own interpretation:
Response to #1... and also a bit of my own interpretation:
Although usually society views 'Light' as goodness, life, happiness, hope... I think in this song Light is a fear that freezes her, self-consciousnesses under observation, or a circumstance that she has chosen that prevents her from following what is in heart.
Although usually society views 'Light' as goodness, life, happiness, hope... I think in this song Light is a fear that freezes her, self-consciousnesses under observation, or a circumstance that she has chosen that prevents her from following what is in heart.
It is "the lights that stop me." The lights have 'turned her to stone'. And since she is now stone she cannot return to the people who are calling for her. Now all she can do is 'dream of when the lights are gone'. Until then she remembers what...
It is "the lights that stop me." The lights have 'turned her to stone'. And since she is now stone she cannot return to the people who are calling for her. Now all she can do is 'dream of when the lights are gone'. Until then she remembers what home is like, how safe she felt, take comfort & draw hope that her skin has not totally turned to stone.
I made an account here just to tell you I think your songmeaning is genious. <3 And I couldnt figure out that line either "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone" But yes it must be an abbreviation! "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone"?
I made an account here just to tell you I think your songmeaning is genious. <3 And I couldnt figure out that line either "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone" But yes it must be an abbreviation! "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone"?
the part of ''But the queen has been overthrown.''
She had everything
She have (i have a heart back then)
she was like royalty
but something happened that broke her heart
so its like she lost everything
which means she ''the queen'' was overthrown
the part of ''But the queen has been overthrown.''
She had everything
She have (i have a heart back then)
she was like royalty
but something happened that broke her heart
so its like she lost everything
which means she ''the queen'' was overthrown
I totally agree with samtwlo, she does abbreviate her sentences. She says "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone." The full version of this sentence would be, "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone." Or, "You bring your energy and hope into my life, and that prevents me from going back into my depression." Quite a beautiful meaning. :)
I totally agree with samtwlo, she does abbreviate her sentences. She says "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone." The full version of this sentence would be, "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone." Or, "You bring your energy and hope into my life, and that prevents me from going back into my depression." Quite a beautiful meaning. :)
I think maybe the queen is a way to symbolize the heart. The power of love was what ruled her life when she was a child, and now for some reason her life is ruled by something darker. This symbol may relie on the playing card.
I think maybe the queen is a way to symbolize the heart. The power of love was what ruled her life when she was a child, and now for some reason her life is ruled by something darker. This symbol may relie on the playing card.
I'm not sure "you" is clearly a define entity ; maybe the song's meaning is open on purpose. But it could refer to god (you are still physically alone when god is with you); or maybe it could refer to music, as she is a singer and she mentions "noises" and...
I'm not sure "you" is clearly a define entity ; maybe the song's meaning is open on purpose. But it could refer to god (you are still physically alone when god is with you); or maybe it could refer to music, as she is a singer and she mentions "noises" and the way she plays within her head (= composing music ?). But it also can refer to any person who brings hope - mother, lover...
I'm not sure about the telephone because if that was it maybe she would not say before "calling ME home".
I agree with you that light would just be a symbol for hope.
The way this symbol is used in the song makes me think of a the way a parent would turn up a light when his child is afraid at night - this can be an allegory of her present anxiousness and the way she tries to fight it.
Plus it can be related to the verse which talks about her brother and sister's sleep.
Even if that can have a more precise meaning (if sleep is for instance an euphemism for death).
The first verse definitely has hints of a battle with depression. 'the dark is too hard to beat' describes the feeling of overwhelming hopelessness. 'not keeping now the strength I need to push me' belies a lack of self-motivation, which is actually one of the criteria of the diagnosis of clinical depression, another of which is insomnia; 'I'm not sleeping now'. Likewise, having 'a way' and then 'losing it all on my own' implies a self-blame for the path away from 'home'. Unfortunately I can't really see the deeper meaning relating to the overthrown queen and her heart.
At first I didn't really understand how lights would turn to stone, but after listening to the song again I think she abbreviates her sentences a bit. For example: I had a way then/ [i.e. I had a way BACK then, or, I had found my own way back then in the past] I had a heart then/ You show the lights that stop me turn to stone --> You have some 'light' which keeps me human, if you think that stone can imply either death or hopelessness... heart of stone... etc etc basically I think that means that there is this one person which she gets her hope from, which stops her from being completely overcome by her depression, someone who keeps her sane even when she's alone 'you shine it when I'm alone/And so I tell myself that I'll be strong'. This person [or the 'light' that this person has] is amazing because it even instills life into her when the person/light isn't there 'dreaming when I'm gone'. To further over-elaborate, as soon as there is mention of light in the song, the lyrics turn from words of desperation ['losing', 'overthrown', 'not sleeping', 'too hard to beat' etc] to words of hope ['shine', 'strong', 'dreaming'].
The constant repeat of 'calling home/calling me home' is like the constant pull of the previous place she 'felt safe', with her 'brother' and 'sister'. I guess the light provides a reminiscent/nostalgic reminder? After all, home is the place where there is supposed to be unconditional love.
The second verse is a definite move on from the depressed state she was in in verse one. The fact that she's 'hoping I'm still breathing' is the opposite to wishing she could die, which is what is known as 'suicidal ideation'... yet another diagnostic criteria of depression. Thinking back to her sleeping siblings implies that she was an elder sibling who had to take care of them. This thought could be further developed; because her parents were gone [dead? deserted?], they lived in an 'unlocked place'. The fact that her parents are not mentioned might even imply that they were neither good nor bad in her mind, but merely absent.
To talk a little about the musicality of the song, the lightness of the shimmering synthesizer at the start remains from start all the way to finish, and brings to mind twinkling stars. Her innocent voice definitely contrasts with the darkness of the lyrics of the first verse. However once the chorus kicks in, it's sung in a two-voice octave harmony which dispells the sense of alone-ness of the first verse and brings a sense of company.
To read a little between the lines, I would guess that family is the major underlying message here, that even if it was just her, her brother and her sister without her parents, even if they lived in an unlocked place, the emotional security that they gave each other was far better than anything else the world had to offer. Even a broken family with trust and love is better than none.
Some questions I'd like to postulate. 1) 'Light' is probably just a symbol for hope. But what is it really? What could 'call' her home, or call home? 2) the person she calls 'you' is never really elaborated on either. It's unlikely 'you' is a real physical person as she can't be alone when there is a 'you' to shine the lights [because... her... plus 'you'... is two people... which is the opposite of being alone, which is one person. Being alone with someone is different!] 3) Calling calling calling home not only sounds cool but perhaps emulates a telephone ringing? 4) Could the 'queen' be a codename for a significant other in her new life [away from home] that, once 'overthrown', caused misery/borderline depression?
sam
Fantastic job. Completely cleared any confusion between the song writer and its audience.
Fantastic job. Completely cleared any confusion between the song writer and its audience.
I understand the sentence of "But the queen has been overthrown." It lightly ties into an almost religious status. Maybe it's too obvious but, to me it means She was knocked down and brought back to real sense of reality. Brought back in a senseless fashion. I'm sure we've all been there. In a high and mighty showcase then brought down like a dirty dog.
I understand the sentence of "But the queen has been overthrown." It lightly ties into an almost religious status. Maybe it's too obvious but, to me it means She was knocked down and brought back to real sense of reality. Brought back in a senseless fashion. I'm sure we've all been there. In a high and mighty showcase then brought down like a dirty dog.
In all religions it's, in a general sense, almost the opposite of religion. That very sentence is exactly why religion was ever thought of. in my opinion. Just maybe my insight is slightly...
In all religions it's, in a general sense, almost the opposite of religion. That very sentence is exactly why religion was ever thought of. in my opinion. Just maybe my insight is slightly off base with how the song plays into it. but I see it plays some part.
I suppose the best word for what that sentence is almost 'ignorant'.
feedback would be lovely.
For the 'queen' part I think of the playing card, the queen of hearts. Perhaps it's as if her life is a game and she has lost?
For the 'queen' part I think of the playing card, the queen of hearts. Perhaps it's as if her life is a game and she has lost?
Excellent interpretation of this song by the way!
Excellent interpretation of this song by the way!
Response to #1... and also a bit of my own interpretation:
Response to #1... and also a bit of my own interpretation:
Although usually society views 'Light' as goodness, life, happiness, hope... I think in this song Light is a fear that freezes her, self-consciousnesses under observation, or a circumstance that she has chosen that prevents her from following what is in heart.
Although usually society views 'Light' as goodness, life, happiness, hope... I think in this song Light is a fear that freezes her, self-consciousnesses under observation, or a circumstance that she has chosen that prevents her from following what is in heart.
It is "the lights that stop me." The lights have 'turned her to stone'. And since she is now stone she cannot return to the people who are calling for her. Now all she can do is 'dream of when the lights are gone'. Until then she remembers what...
It is "the lights that stop me." The lights have 'turned her to stone'. And since she is now stone she cannot return to the people who are calling for her. Now all she can do is 'dream of when the lights are gone'. Until then she remembers what home is like, how safe she felt, take comfort & draw hope that her skin has not totally turned to stone.
I made an account here just to tell you I think your songmeaning is genious. <3 And I couldnt figure out that line either "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone" But yes it must be an abbreviation! "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone"?
I made an account here just to tell you I think your songmeaning is genious. <3 And I couldnt figure out that line either "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone" But yes it must be an abbreviation! "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone"?
the part of ''But the queen has been overthrown.'' She had everything She have (i have a heart back then) she was like royalty but something happened that broke her heart so its like she lost everything which means she ''the queen'' was overthrown
the part of ''But the queen has been overthrown.'' She had everything She have (i have a heart back then) she was like royalty but something happened that broke her heart so its like she lost everything which means she ''the queen'' was overthrown
It's pretty awesome & deep.
It's pretty awesome & deep.
I totally agree with samtwlo, she does abbreviate her sentences. She says "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone." The full version of this sentence would be, "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone." Or, "You bring your energy and hope into my life, and that prevents me from going back into my depression." Quite a beautiful meaning. :)
I totally agree with samtwlo, she does abbreviate her sentences. She says "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone." The full version of this sentence would be, "You show the lights that stop me from turning to stone." Or, "You bring your energy and hope into my life, and that prevents me from going back into my depression." Quite a beautiful meaning. :)
@samtwlo Great job !
@samtwlo Great job !
I think maybe the queen is a way to symbolize the heart. The power of love was what ruled her life when she was a child, and now for some reason her life is ruled by something darker. This symbol may relie on the playing card.
I think maybe the queen is a way to symbolize the heart. The power of love was what ruled her life when she was a child, and now for some reason her life is ruled by something darker. This symbol may relie on the playing card.
I'm not sure "you" is clearly a define entity ; maybe the song's meaning is open on purpose. But it could refer to god (you are still physically alone when god is with you); or maybe it could refer to music, as she is a singer and she mentions "noises" and...
I'm not sure "you" is clearly a define entity ; maybe the song's meaning is open on purpose. But it could refer to god (you are still physically alone when god is with you); or maybe it could refer to music, as she is a singer and she mentions "noises" and the way she plays within her head (= composing music ?). But it also can refer to any person who brings hope - mother, lover...
I'm not sure about the telephone because if that was it maybe she would not say before "calling ME home".
I agree with you that light would just be a symbol for hope. The way this symbol is used in the song makes me think of a the way a parent would turn up a light when his child is afraid at night - this can be an allegory of her present anxiousness and the way she tries to fight it. Plus it can be related to the verse which talks about her brother and sister's sleep. Even if that can have a more precise meaning (if sleep is for instance an euphemism for death).