High, high flames and boiling water
Still nobody knew
Stare at the ceiling, make way for something
Still nobody moves
Oh my goodness, oh my god I fear
Oh my goodness, oh my god I fear
I fear I'm cracking up

One million feelings is this for real I ask
Nobody knows
Somebody's daughter made me walk on water
Don't let me sink
I think I'm stupid, luxury problems still
I think I'm stupid, luxury problems still
It's more than I can take

Crying in the basement, what can I say
But I am so very sorry
Who would've thought that it would ever dry
Leaving nothing
Oh my goodness, oh my dear is this
Oh my goodness, oh my dear is this
The end?
Is this the end?
Is this the end?
Is this the end?

Overall Meaning

David & The Citizens' song "The End" seems to tell the story of someone who is experiencing a mental breakdown or some kind of intense emotional turmoil. The first stanza paints an apocalyptic image of "high flames and boiling water" while emphasizing that "nobody knew" what was happening despite the obvious chaos around them. The singer is paralyzed, stuck "staring at the ceiling," and unable to take action. They express their fear and anxiety with fervent exclamations of "oh my goodness, oh my god I fear," suggesting a loss of control over their own thoughts.

The second stanza continues to build on this theme of being overwhelmed by feelings that are too intense to process. The singer wonders if what they are experiencing is even real, and acknowledges that they have been given opportunities and privileges that others have not. However, they are unable to feel grateful or content and instead describe themselves as "stupid" for being unable to cope with their problems. The line "somebody's daughter made me walk on water, don't let me sink" adds a layer of complexity to the narrative by implying that there is a relationship involved in the singer's emotional struggle.

The final stanza takes a darker turn as the singer is revealed to be crying in the basement and apologizing for something that is not entirely clear. The line "who would’ve thought that it would ever dry, leaving nothing" suggests a loss or a death, but the specifics are left up to interpretation. The song ends on a somber note as the singer asks if this is "the end," suggesting that they may be experiencing a moment of existential crisis or possibly even contemplating suicide.

Line by Line Meaning

High, high flames and boiling water
There is danger all around, with flames and boiling water present

Still nobody knew
Despite the danger, nobody was aware of the situation

Stare at the ceiling, make way for something
People aren't doing anything productive, just standing there and waiting for something to happen

Still nobody moves
Despite the need for action, nobody is actually doing anything

Oh my goodness, oh my god I fear
The situation is extremely scary and filled with dread

I fear I'm cracking up
The singer is afraid that they are losing their mind

One million feelings is this for real I ask
The singer is questioning the reality of all the emotions they are experiencing

Nobody knows
There is no clear answer or explanation to these feelings

Somebody's daughter made me walk on water
The artist has been put in a difficult situation by someone else's actions

Don't let me sink
The artist is in need of help and support to avoid losing themselves in this situation

I think I'm stupid, luxury problems still
Despite their struggle, the singer recognizes that their problems are trivial in comparison to others'

It's more than I can take
The situation is overwhelming and the artist isn't equipped to handle it alone

Crying in the basement, what can I say
The singer is emotional and unsure of what to do

But I am so very sorry
The singer is apologizing, possibly for their own actions or inaction

Who would've thought that it would ever dry
The situation seemed hopeless, but things turned around unexpectedly

Leaving nothing
Whatever happened, the situation has resolved and there is nothing left to do

Oh my goodness, oh my dear is this
The artist is questioning if this is truly the end

Is this the end?
The singer is uncertain if the situation is truly over

Is this the end?
The singer repeats the question, indicating their uncertainty

Is this the end?
The artist is still questioning if the situation is truly resolved

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CONNY ANDREAS FRIDH, DAVID JOHAN FRIDLUND, MAGNUS CARL BJERKERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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