Blue angel

It's the memory of your warmth
That keeps me alive
When I'm burning
And my world's closing in

Oh I'm on fire
Oh I'm on fire

I hold on to a wheel of burning fear

Oh I'm on fire
Oh I'm on fire

And then the sky is falling in
And I see your eyes

Hiding in the shadows
Hiding in the flames

Oh I'm on fire
Oh I'm on fire
I'm on fire...

It's the memory of your warmth
That keeps me alive
When I'm burning
And my world's closing in

Oh I'm on fire
Oh I'm on fire
I'm on fire

When I feel like I am dying
And soon I shall expire

I'm on fire
Oh I'm on fire
I'm on fire
Why is that
That I feel like I'm on fire

Blue angel

Overall Meaning

The song "Blue Angel" by Antony and the Johnsons is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the power of memory and love. The lyrics speak of the memory of someone's warmth keeping the singer alive in their darkest moments, when they feel like they are burning and the world is closing in on them. The repetition of the line "oh I'm on fire" emphasizes the intensity of the emotion that the singer is feeling, and the feeling of being consumed by their own thoughts and fears.

The next verse speaks of holding on to a "wheel of burning fear," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the constant struggle to stay afloat in life, despite the overwhelming fear and anxiety that can come with it. The mention of the sky falling in and seeing the person's eyes in the shadows and flames adds to the sense of chaos and confusion that the singer is experiencing.

The final verse brings the song full circle, with the repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the importance of the memory of the warmth of the person they love. The repeated line "I'm on fire" takes on a different tone here, as the singer seems to be embracing the intensity of their emotions, rather than being consumed by them. In the final lines of the song, the singer questions why they feel like they are on fire, which could be interpreted as wondering about the source of their intense feelings, or perhaps questioning whether those feelings are ultimately destructive or transformative.

Overall, "Blue Angel" is a powerful meditation on love, memory, and the often overwhelming intensity of emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Blue angel
The song's title and repeated chorus, perhaps alluding to a guardian angel or a heavenly figure associated with the color blue.

It's the memory of your warmth
The singer finds comfort in remembering the warmth of a past relationship or connection.

That keeps me alive
Remembering this warmth sustains the singer in difficult times and keeps them feeling alive.

When I'm burning
The artist is in a state of emotional turmoil, burning with passion or struggling with pain.

And my world's closing in
The artist feels like their problems are closing in around them, that their world is becoming smaller and more suffocating.

Oh I'm on fire
A repeated phrase that emphasizes the intensity of the singer's emotional state, alternately expressing passion, suffering, and longing.

I hold on to a wheel of burning fear
The singer seems to be caught in a cycle of fear and anxiety, holding onto a metaphorical wheel that burns them but which they cannot release.

And then the sky is falling in
The artist's sense of doom and despair feels so heavy that it seems the sky is falling down around them.

And I see your eyes
In the midst of this crisis, the artist's focus turns to memories of their loved one, whose eyes they can still see clearly.

Hiding in the shadows
Perhaps the artist is ashamed of their emotional turmoil, or perhaps their love is hidden and unrequited.

Hiding in the flames
The passion and intensity of the singer's emotional state is like a fire, which also hides or obscures the object of their affection.

When I feel like I am dying
The artist's suffering is so intense that they may feel like they are dying, either metaphorically or literally.

And soon I shall expire
The singer seems to be anticipating the end of their life or the end of their relationship.

Why is that
The singer wonders why they are so consumed by these overwhelming feelings.

That I feel like I'm on fire
Another repetition of the song's central metaphor, expressing the intensity of the singer's suffering and passion.

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anohni

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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