Borealis
5 stars for failure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fill your cup again, fill it to the brim
Go to sleep tonight with tears in your eyes
Take away the pain, problem still remains
Doesn't matter who you hurt
Do it all again, and you just pretend
That your actions go unnoticed
Noticed noticed noticed
This is not your way out
Your broken heart still bleeds
Way to young, your way to young
(Way to young, way to young)
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
So that was fun, but where are you now
Drunken on the floor will you wake up or
Will your luck run out
Outside the sirens near, inside the party clears
Midnight call reaches home
Holy shit what went wrong, is my daughter gone
Too much fun was almost fatal
Fatal fatal fatal
This is not your way out
Your broken heart still bleeds
Way to young, your way to young
(Way to young, way to young)
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
Each week gets better than the last one
You know that you can have fun
You don't have to go out
I think of you
Are you thinking of me now
I want to be there
I want to be there
This is not your way out
Your broken heart still bleeds
Way to young, your way to young
(Way to young, way to young)
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
This is not your way out
Your broken heart still bleeds
Way to young, your way to young
(Way to young, way to young)
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
In the song "Borealis" by 5 Stars For Failure, the lyrics explore the destructive consequences of teenage irresponsibility and excessive drinking. The opening lines depict the singer's fondness for alcohol, as they repeatedly fill their cup "to the brim." However, the subsequent lines reveal the detrimental effects of their actions, as tears are shed and problems remain unsolved. The singer's willingness to hurt others in pursuit of their own pleasure is a recurring theme throughout the song, as they continue to engage in reckless behavior, pretending that their actions go unnoticed. The chorus serves as a cautionary message, telling the singer that their behavior is not a solution to their problems, and that they are too young to be self-destructive.
As the song progresses, the consequences of the singer's behavior become more severe. We see the aftermath of a party gone wrong, as emergency services arrive and the singer is left with a potentially life-threatening situation. The song emphasizes the impact that this behavior has on family and loved ones, as a parent receives a "midnight call" and wonders if their daughter is safe. Ultimately, the song is a sobering reminder that reckless behavior can have severe consequences, especially for those who are young and vulnerable.
Overall, "Borealis" is a powerful song that tackles a difficult subject with honesty and sensitivity. It encourages listeners to think critically about their own behavior and the choices they make.
Line by Line Meaning
So you like the taste of alcohol
You seem to enjoy drinking alcohol a lot
Fill your cup again, fill it to the brim
Pour more alcohol into your cup, even to the point of overflowing
Go to sleep tonight with tears in your eyes
Fall asleep while crying
Take away the pain, problem still remains
Alcohol may provide temporary relief from emotional pain, but the underlying issue still persists
Doesn't matter who you hurt
You don't seem to care about harming others
Do it all again, and you just pretend
You repeat your harmful behavior, while pretending that your actions don't have consequences
That your actions go unnoticed
You believe that no one is paying attention to your actions
Noticed noticed noticed
Repeating the word 'noticed' emphasizes the fact that your actions are, in fact, being noticed by others
This is not your way out
Drinking and ignoring your problems is not a sustainable solution
Your broken heart still bleeds
Your emotional pain is still present, and is not being adequately addressed through drinking
Way to young, your way to young
You are too young to be dealing with these problems in this way
(Way to young, way to young)
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the fact that you are too young for this behavior
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
Your choices at this age can have long-lasting consequences on your future
So that was fun, but where are you now
Reflecting on the temporary pleasure of drinking, while ignoring the current negative situation
Drunken on the floor will you wake up or
You are currently drunk, and it is unclear whether you will regain consciousness
Will your luck run out
Your behavior may lead to unfortunate consequences at some point
Outside the sirens near, inside the party clears
There is chaos outside, but inside the party, people try to ignore it and continue having fun
Midnight call reaches home
Someone is calling home in the middle of the night
Holy shit what went wrong, is my daughter gone
A parent is deeply concerned about their child's well-being and whereabouts
Too much fun was almost fatal
Partying and drinking can have severe consequences, even becoming life-threatening
Each week gets better than the last one
You believe that each week of partying and drinking is more enjoyable than the previous
You know that you can have fun
You are aware that drinking and partying can be pleasurable
You don't have to go out
You are not obligated to drink and party to have fun, there are alternative ways to enjoy yourself
I think of you
The artist is thinking about someone, possibly someone who is harming themselves through excessive drinking
Are you thinking of me now
The singer wonders if the person they are thinking of is also thinking about them
I want to be there
The singer wishes they could help and support the person they are thinking of
This is not your way out
Reiteration of the idea that drinking alcohol is not an effective or healthy way to deal with problems
Your broken heart still bleeds
Emotional pain is not going away simply because you are drinking
Way to young, your way to young
Reiteration of the idea that the person is too young to be dealing with issues through drinking
(Way to young, way to young)
Emphasis on the fact that the individual is too young to be engaging in this behavior
To destroy your fate at only fifteen
Continuing to behave in this way could have long-lasting negative consequences at a young age
Contributed by Jake J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheGamerPokemon
Finally! I was waiting for someone to talk about this scene. It's so deep!
TL;DR: This scene, through various ways of expression, manages to show Purple haired Madeline's true personality: her fear, insecurities, self-destructive mechanisms and emotions. It's such an amazing way of showing these two characters. Well done creators of Celeste.
(M=Madeline, P.M=Purple-haired Madeline)
First thing: M: "The Northern lights are so beautiful". P.M: "Yeah... They are...". Something as trivial as that, but that's the first time she's not being hostile to Madiline straight away. No only do the eclipses (...) show that she's a bit hesitant and uncertain, but also that she wasn't really expecting this talk, but she's been with Madiline this whole time and can see what she sees. It widens her role. The uncertainty also shows doubt. She's doubting her own abilities already (showing insecurity), and doubting her misconception that Madeline couldn't climb the mountain (since they're so high up). This establishes her as more of a full character than 'just a part' of Madeline.
Secondly: P.M: "where are we?" M: "We need to talk". P.M seems genuinely curious, and actually want to be involved, informed and engaged in what Madeline is doing, contrary to P.M's introduction. However, Madeline immediately shuts her inquiry down with a stern "we need to talk.", which shows how she's not trying to be cooperative, but trying to be finished with this all. Like a parent with a kid that's done something wrong.
P.M: "...Okay". Again, sounds very trivial, but she's actually turning around. After being shut down like that, previously she would've immediately snapped at Madeline, but this time, P.M is giving her a chance. Showing that she's more inclined to cooperate.
M: "You're not my true reflection". P.M: "...I'm not?" This again not only shows concern and uncertainties with the ellipsis, but shows that not even P.M knows who she really is (obviously), but she's a little more inclined to listening to Madeline now. 'Madeline figured something out about me? Maybe she understands me?'
M:"You're cruel, paranoid, controlling..." P.M: "Why would you say that?" P.M finally started to come out of her shell, and open up a little (as shown above), but suddenly gets completely shut down. As soon as P.M started showing her not so mean side, she again gets shut down and told awful things about herself. This is the turning point of the conversation. Although P.M is still questioning and uncertainty (shown by the question mark), she's obviously hurt my Madeline's remarks.
M: "No, It's ok! I understand now. I don't need you anymore!". Imagine finally showing some insecurity, and getting told you don't matter. After probably years of conflict between the two; after finally opening up a little, and warming up to Madeline, she gets told she's worthless. Useless. She's just someone that can be thrown away. P.M has probably helped Madeline a lot through her life, even when M didn't know it, and now she just wants her gone. That must be painful. Even though Madeline thinks she understands, she's further away from the real truth then perhaps ever, and this must also feel disappointing and scary for P.M. Your accomplice thinks you're the bad guy.
P.M: "So you're just... Abandoning me?". P.M is starting to regress. Move futher away and be more cautious. She's slowly moving back into her shell again. Again, the "just..." shows that P.M knows Madeline hasn't put thought into this decision/mindset at all: she's just chosen it because it's most convenient. The ellipsis, now at the middle of the sentence shows how taken aback by Madeline's accusation she is and how regretful she is she let Madeline get closer to her.
M: "I'm setting you free". Firstly, Madeline is being naive and unwilling to understand, or at least in P.M's eyes. She thinks she can just "set a part of her free", like P.M wasn't anyone important.
This is further reflected in how, once Madeline "defeats" P.M later on, P.M doesn't say "fine, I'll leave" or "Ok, I'll go." Instead she says "If you want me to go away, I'll try". She knows she can't just leave Madeline (that's not how it works), but she'll try to disappear. To isolate herself and never be known again. The "I'll try" is just so powerful, and the noise she makes when she says it is heart breaking.
And the way Madeline didn't even reject her question "abandoning me?", and instead corrected her makes it seem like Madeline is just rebranding it from sounding less harsh. 'I wouldn't call it "malicious destruction", just "my style of reconfiguration"...'. It just amplifies to P.M that Madeline's intentions aren't good (for P.M). Thus, she also continues to ignore Madeline's statement "We'll both be so much happier", as P.M has already been silenced and shut down. She doesn't need to listen to what Madeline has to say anymore. It's not nice, and it's not helpful. P.M is mildly zoning out.
P.M: "You're so... *so...*" The squeal/noise P.M makes at the 2nd "so" is the most powerful thing out of this all IMO. Not only does it show how hurt she is by all this (especially in her picture where she forces her eyes shut, and even seems somewhat scared). She's so wounded and let down. It's excruciating. Furthermore, it comes after the "You're so...": she was about to insult Madelinine again and go back to her old ways, but still holds on to the damage Madeline just did to her. She doesn't want to go back to her old ways, and really thought Madeline could help, but she was just foolish. The impact this also has by her having her burst of anger straight after just shows how she's running tearfully back into her shell. Into the only barriers and comfort she knows: insults, intimidation and threatening. It's the only true safety mechanism she has, and it's been activated again: harder than ever. And this is obviously shown next. Madeline made a grave mistake...
P.M's outbreak (also reflected in the threatening tentacles), is so warranted at this point. The way she slightly leaves her box, and appears dangerous and intimidating really hammers the point home. You've done it now Madeline. You've crossed the line...
M: "Calm down" P.M: "*CALM DOWN?* without meaning to, Madeline continues to accidentally provoke P.M. By saying "Calm down", it reinforces how little Madeline realises how much it hurt to be talked to like that. It's not something you can just "Calm down from".
Finally, the way P.M destroys the feather portrays how powerful and mean P.M now wants to show herself as. She wants to push Madeline away. Not only that, but she probably found it selfish of Madeline to just bring out the feather, ignore P.M and only try to help herself.
This all shows how Purple Madeline isn't just the dark side: she is truly "Part of Madeline", with her own insecurities, doubts, safety walls and nets, and her own self. She can feel hurt, betrayed, wonder, happy, intrigued, scared, lonely etc... She not bad Madeline, she's a part of Madeline that has had reasons to set up self defence mechanisms like acting out, insulting and being unpleasant, because that's the only way she knows how to protect herself and stay safe.
Purple Madeline is so much more, and has so many more capabilities, opinions and emotions. This scene really flushes out her character, and shows how things aren't so black and white as "good and bad". They both need each other. They're part of a whole.
Jin Hom
The imagery here is amazing. It shows that mental illnesses cannot go away just because you decided you don't need them anymore. The imagery of Madeline being thrown down under and falling deep in a pool of water is normally how people describe depression (and even stated by Madeline herself once). Just great.
João Pedro
Ana that LITERALY happened too
Sisterlilly Bug
The music in this scene gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. The way it slowly builds and becomes louder is SOOOO GOOD!!
Zuko
Any idea what it is called? I wanted to listen to this but am having trouble finding it.
Sisterlilly Bug
Zuko The music in this scene is called ‘StarJump’
Nat the Chicken
Vertically mixed dynamic sound design babyyyyyyy
Inqurity
Yup, StarJump is very cool!
Torin O'Connor
Yeah was just watching something on that
RubixDude10
Everybody gangsta till badeline comes out of her text box
ʙʀᴇᴀᴅ in Moss
The 148th Kakapo indeed