I’m on the verge of collapse
I’m on the brink of disaster
And I’m far more lost than I want to admit

I’m at the end of my rope
I’m on the edge of a breakdown
And no matter how tightly I hold on, I still slip

And you’re watching me die
Right in front of your eyes
And if you turned your back on me
I wouldn’t be surprised

There’s no new story to tell
It’s every man for himself
As brick by brick
We construct our own personal hell

I’m running out of time
I’m running short of options
And the desperation is chewing me up inside

I’ve got nowhere to go
I’ve got no one to turn to
Just accelerating, inescapable decline

And you’re watching me die
Right in front of your eyes
And if you turned your back on me
I wouldn’t be surprised

There’s no new story to tell
It’s every man for himself
As brick by brick
We construct our own personal hell

I’m suffocating with guilt
Asphyxiating on panic
And I can’t shake off this fear with which I’m bound

I’m buried up to my neck
I’m sinking under the water
And the next wave could be the one that brings me down

And you’re watching me die
Right in front of your eyes
And if you turned your back on me
I wouldn’t be surprised

There’s no new story to tell
It’s every man for himself
As brick by brick
We construct our own personal hell

Overall Meaning

Assemblage 23's song "Collapse" conveys a sense of desperation, hopelessness, and impending doom. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is on the verge of collapsing both physically and emotionally. The individual is at the end of their rope and on the brink of disaster. They feel lost, alone, and helpless.

The song is a commentary on the human condition, where each person is responsible for constructing their own personal hell. The lyrics suggest that there is no escape from this cycle of self-destruction. The metaphorical reference to constructing a personal hell, brick by brick, is a powerful image that conjures up the idea of individuals being architects of their own demise.

The repeated lines "And you're watching me die right in front of your eyes, and if you turned your back on me, I wouldn't be surprised" creates a sense of abandonment and betrayal. The singer is essentially saying that they are alone in their struggle, and no one can help them. The song suggests that even in the presence of others, an individual can feel isolated and hopeless.

Line by Line Meaning

I’m on the verge of collapse
I am extremely close to breaking down or failing

I’m on the brink of disaster
I am very close to experiencing a catastrophic event or situation

And I’m far more lost than I want to admit
I am feeling very confused and directionless, but I am reluctant to acknowledge it

I’m at the end of my rope
I am at a point of extreme stress, anxiety, or exhaustion

I’m on the edge of a breakdown
I am very close to losing control of my emotions and mental state

And no matter how tightly I hold on, I still slip
Despite my efforts to maintain control or stability, I continue to lose my grip and worsen my situation

And you’re watching me die
You are observing my decline or struggle, perhaps without offering help or support

Right in front of your eyes
My struggle is clear and visible to you, but you may not fully understand its significance or severity

And if you turned your back on me
If you were to abandon or ignore me, it would not be unexpected given my circumstances

I wouldn’t be surprised
I am anticipating a lack of support or understanding from others, which is contributing to my distress

There’s no new story to tell
My situation is not unique or unusual, as many people experience similar struggles

It’s every man for himself
In difficult situations, everyone must prioritize their own needs and survival over others

As brick by brick
Gradually, step by step

We construct our own personal hell
We create our own suffering and misery through our actions, thoughts, and circumstances

I’m running out of time
I am feeling pressured to achieve or succeed within a limited timeframe

I’m running short of options
I am rapidly exhausting the possibilities or choices available to me

And the desperation is chewing me up inside
My intense feelings of hopelessness and urgency are causing significant emotional pain and distress

I’ve got nowhere to go
I feel trapped or without options for escape or relief

I’ve got no one to turn to
I am lacking a support system or people whom I can rely on for help or comfort

Just accelerating, inescapable decline
My situation is rapidly worsening and becoming increasingly unavoidable or impossible to overcome

I’m suffocating with guilt
I am feeling overwhelming remorse or shame over my actions or decisions, which is causing significant distress

Asphyxiating on panic
I am experiencing a overwhelming sense of anxiety or fear, which is causing difficulty breathing or functioning

And I can’t shake off this fear with which I’m bound
I am unable to overcome or lessen my feelings of fear or anxiety, which is making my situation worse

I’m buried up to my neck
I am deeply entrenched or stuck in a difficult or dangerous situation

I’m sinking under the water
I am rapidly becoming overwhelmed or at risk of failure or drowning

And the next wave could be the one that brings me down
I am at risk of being defeated or overwhelmed by a new, unexpected obstacle or difficulty

Contributed by Jason A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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