During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.
Only for the Weak
In Flames Lyrics
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'Cause it's me you are drowning (drowning)
I won't allow (allow) any happiness
'Cause every time you laugh
I feel so guilty (guilty)
I feel so guilty
Am I forced to have any regret
I've become the lie, beautiful and free
In my righteous own mind
I adore and preach the insanity you gave to me
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
No need for sympathy
The misery that is me
I've lost the ability to paint the clouds
'Cause it's me you're draining (you're draining me)
I'm stuck in this slow-motion dark day
'Cause every time you run
I fall behind (behind)
I fall behind
And so I hear my voice again
The tale of the bitter man, here I am
Shake the silence and hear what it says
The tranquil pride that become the lie
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
No need for sympathy
The misery that is me
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
On bleeding knees
Now I accept my fate
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
No need for sympathy
The misery that is me
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
On bleeding knees
Now I accept my fate
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
No need for sympathy
The misery that is me
Sell me the infection
It is only for the weak
On bleeding knees
Now I accept my fate
The lyrics to In Flames's song "Only for the Weak" explore the consequences of a toxic relationship. The singer can no longer tolerate their partner's sadness because it's too overwhelming for them. But at the same time, they won't allow any happiness because they feel guilty when their partner experiences joy. The singer has become a lie, living in a self-righteous mindset where they adore and preach the insanity their partner gave to them. They've lost the ability to paint the clouds and are stuck in a slow-motion, dark day where they can't keep up with their partner.
The singer's voice becomes bitter, and they tell the tale of the bitter man they've become. They shake the silence and hear what it says, which is the tranquil pride that's become a lie. They're desperate for someone to sell them the infection, which is only for the weak, and they accept their fate on bleeding knees. In essence, the singer has become miserable and is now trapped in this relationship that's draining them.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tolerate your sadness
Your sadness is all-encompassing that I cannot handle it.
'Cause it's me you are drowning (drowning)
Your sadness is so intense that it feels like it's engulfing me and my own emotions.
I won't allow (allow) any happiness
I can't allow myself to feel happy because it pales in comparison to your sadness.
'Cause every time you laugh
When you are temporarily happy, it reminds me of how sad you are and I feel guilty.
I feel so guilty (guilty)
The weight of your sadness and my inability to make you feel better has me feeling responsible and guilty.
Am I forced to have any regret
Am I obligated to feel regretful for not being able to change your current disposition?
I've become the lie, beautiful and free
I have pretended to be unburdened and carefree, but it's a false facade.
In my righteous own mind
In my delusion of self-righteousness, I feel justified in my actions.
I adore and preach the insanity you gave to me
I have absorbed the insanity of your sadness and now unknowingly perpetuate it.
Sell me the infection
Give me your pain and sadness.
It is only for the weak
Only those who are weak enough will be overwhelmed by it.
No need for sympathy
I'm not asking for empathy or care, just the pain.
The misery that is me
I am at my core, misery and sadness personified.
I've lost the ability to paint the clouds
I cannot find joy or beauty in things anymore.
'Cause it's me you're draining (you're draining me)
Your sadness is draining my own emotions and creativity.
I'm stuck in this slow-motion dark day
I am unable to move on from this cycle of sadness.
'Cause every time you run
When you try to escape your sadness, it only makes me fall further behind.
I fall behind (behind)
I'm still in the same place, stuck in this cycle of sadness.
And so I hear my voice again
I'm hearing my own words and thoughts on this situation.
The tale of the bitter man, here I am
I have become bitter from trying to help and feeling like a failure.
Shake the silence and hear what it says
I need to confront the silence and recognize the root of your suffering.
The tranquil pride that become the lie
Your initial pride in suffering silently has become a harmful deception.
On bleeding knees
I am willing to accept the pain and suffering that comes with trying to help you.
Now I accept my fate
I understand that I am unable to change your situation, but I can still support and care for you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anders Par Friden, Bjoern Ingvar Gelotte, Jesper Claes Haakan Stroemblad
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind