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Murder in the Make-Believe Ballroom
The Blackout Lyrics


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Do I say goodbye
Shut the door and close your eyes
Or wait until tomorrow
We let this burn a little longer
Until we grow stronger
Until we fall apart

Say goodbye
And take both of my hands
You've danced your last dance



Why don't you dance it for us?
Take this dance as our last goodbye
You've danced your last dance
Why don't you dance it for us?
Whoa whoa whoa…

It's been too long
And your never coming back
It's no good saying sorry
We let this burn a little longer
Until we grow stronger
Until we fall apart

Say goodbye
And take both of my hands
You've danced your last dance
Why don't you dance it for us?
Take this dance as our last goodbye
You've danced your last dance
Why don't you dance it for us?!

I fall!
I'm not for you!
I'm not for you!
I'm not for you!

Say your goodbye
(Dance for us, dance for us)
Say your goodbye
(Dance for us, dance for us)

Say your goodbye
(Dance for us, dance for us)
Say your goodbye
(Dance for us, dance for us)

Say goodnight when you close your eyes
Say goodbye when you say goodnight
Say goodnight when you close your eyes
Say goodbye when you say goodnight

Whoa yeah
Whoa yeah
Whoa yeah
Yeah whoa

Overall Meaning

The Blackout's song "Murder in the Make-Believe Ballroom" is a haunting and emotional track that talks about the difficulty of letting go of someone or something that we're deeply connected to. The opening lines, "Do I say goodbye, shut the door and close your eyes, or wait until tomorrow?" lays out the central conflict of the song - Should the singer let go of the person they love or hold on just a little longer? The lines that follow are a plea to prolong the inevitable; to let the fire of their love burn a little longer until they grow stronger or fall apart.


As the song progresses, the singer seems to be coming to terms with the fact that this relationship is over. They tell their lover it's been too long and they're never coming back, and there's no use saying sorry. The lines, "Say goodbye and take both of my hands, you've danced your last dance, why don't you dance it for us?", suggest that both of them know this journey has come to an end, and it's time to let go. The repetition of the lines "Say your goodbye" and "Say goodnight when you close your eyes, say goodbye when you say goodnight" create a sense of finality that's both melancholic and cathartic.


Overall, "Murder in the Make-Believe Ballroom" is a deeply personal track that resonates with anyone who's ever experienced heartbreak or separation. It's a testament to The Blackout's ability to craft a song that's both musically and lyrically rich, filled with raw emotions and intense imagery.


Line by Line Meaning

Do I say goodbye
Should I bid farewell?


Shut the door and close your eyes
End things and pretend to forget.


Or wait until tomorrow
Maybe postpone it for a while.


We let this burn a little longer
Let the dying flame linger some more.


Until we grow stronger
Hope to become tougher in time.


Until we fall apart
Until things finally break beyond repair.


Say goodbye
Say farewell.


And take both of my hands
And let's part ways together.


You've danced your last dance
You've reached the end of the road.


Why don't you dance it for us?
Why don't you give us one last show?


Take this dance as our last goodbye
Let's use this dance as our final send-off.


It's been too long
This has dragged on for far too much.


And you're never coming back
You're gone for good.


It's no good saying sorry
Apologies won't suffice anymore.


I fall!
I crumble!


I'm not for you!
I'm not the one for you!


Say your goodbye
Utter your farewell.


(Dance for us, dance for us)
(Entertain us until the end.)


Say goodnight when you close your eyes
Say your farewell in your remembrance.


Say goodbye when you say goodnight
Bid farewell in every closing moment.


Whoa yeah
(Sudden expression of emotion)


Yeah whoa
(Another sudden expression of emotion)




Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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