Lambert released his debut album, 'For Your Entertainment', in November 2009, via RCA Records/19 Recordings. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 in December 2009, selling 198,000 copies in the United States in the first week. To date, he is the first American Idol contestant to headline a world-wide tour in support of a debut album. As of January 2011, For Your Entertainment had sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide. In 2010, Lambert was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want from Me". His single "If I Had You", also from that album, has additionally received major critical and commercial acclaim,
Emboldened by his passionate fan-base, Lambert released his second studio album, 'Trespassing', in the U.S. on May 15th, 2012. Lambert served as an executive producer on the album, which the Better Than I Know Myself Songfacts reports him saying that it takes his fans on "an exciting journey through the past two years" of his life. The American Idol runner-up added, "It's been a transformative period and I really wanted to make music from what I've experienced. All these songs honestly explore the ups and downs of my reality."
In terms of his vocal talents, Adam Lambert has been compared to past glam rock and hard rock legends such as Queen's Freddie Mercury, Sweet's Brian Connolly, and The Who's Roger Daltrey. British rocker Brian May has had this to say about Adam’s voice: "I’m not easily moved to jelly by male vocalists... but Adam’s voice reaches out with sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power which will make jaws drop all around the world... no doubt about it. The world of Rock has a bright new star."
Website: http://www.adamofficial.com/us/home
Chandelier
Adam Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I push it down, push it down
I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
Throw 'em back, 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, comes the shame
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes (oh yeah-yeah)
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight, on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight, on for tonight (yeah)
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I'm just holding on for tonight
I'm just holding on tonight
In the song "Chandelier" by Adam Lambert, the lyrics depict the struggle of someone caught in a destructive lifestyle of partying and numbing their emotions. The singer begins by acknowledging how partying and engaging in reckless behavior can be a way to avoid feeling hurt or dealing with their emotions. They push down their pain instead of facing it.
The lyrics convey that the singer is known as someone who is always up for a good time. They receive constant attention and calls from people looking to have fun. Despite this, they feel a sense of emptiness and yearn for love and genuine connection.
The repetition of the phrase "One, two, three, one, two, three drink" represents the cycle of drinking and partying as a means to escape reality. The singer drinks to the point of losing count, seeking to drown out their emotions and find temporary relief.
The chorus describes a desire to break free from this destructive lifestyle. The imagery of swinging from the chandelier and living as if tomorrow doesn't exist signifies a desire for freedom and living without consequences. The singer longs to feel alive and liberated, even if it means ignoring the pain and tears that they may experience along the way.
Despite this desire for freedom, the singer admits to clinging onto their current situation for dear life. They fear looking down or opening their eyes to confront the reality of their actions. They constantly fill their glass to ensure the numbness continues until morning light, suggesting a reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism.
The lyrics also touch upon the aftermath of the wild night. The singer alludes to feelings of shame and regret that arise when the sun comes up. They feel the consequences of their actions and the weight of their choices.
Overall, "Chandelier" explores the conflicting emotions of seeking escape and liberation while acknowledging the pain and consequences that come with it. It sheds light on the struggle of those who find solace in a destructive lifestyle but ultimately face the repercussions of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Party guys don't get hurt
People who constantly seek pleasure and distractions in partying and reckless behavior are trying to avoid emotional pain.
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
Despite trying to numb their emotions, the person acknowledges their inability to truly escape from feeling and wonders when they will realize this.
I push it down, push it down
They suppress their emotions and vulnerabilities, forcefully keeping them hidden and buried.
I'm the one "for a good time call"
They are known as the person to contact when others want to have a fun, carefree experience.
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
They receive numerous calls and visitors seeking their company and excitement.
I feel the love, feel the love
They experience a shallow sense of affection and connection from these interactions.
One, two, three, one, two, three drink
The person engages in a pattern of excessive drinking as a way to cope or escape their emotions.
Throw 'em back, 'til I lose count
They continue to consume alcoholic drinks without keeping track, reaching a point where they are no longer aware of the quantity consumed.
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
They desire to let go of their inhibitions and live a carefree, uninhibited lifestyle.
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
They intend to live in the present moment, without worrying about the consequences or responsibilities of the future.
Like it doesn't exist
They want to ignore or overlook the existence of the future, focusing solely on the present.
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
They aspire to experience a sense of freedom and liberation, allowing themselves to feel their emotions and heal.
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Despite their desire for freedom, they cling desperately to their current situation, afraid to face reality or confront their emotions.
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
They continue to indulge in escapism, using alcohol to keep themselves distracted and avoid facing their problems until the morning comes.
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
They reach out for assistance, expressing their struggle to let go of their destructive habits and confront their emotions.
Sun is up, I'm a mess
In the sobering light of day, they realize the chaos and disarray they are in.
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
They feel the need to escape from their current situation and lifestyle.
Here comes the shame, comes the shame
With their attempt to escape, they anticipate the feelings of guilt and remorse that will follow.
On for tonight, on for tonight
They acknowledge that their current coping mechanisms and behaviors are only temporary fixes for their emotional struggles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jesse Shatkin, Sia Furler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RaymondTywaif
I like this version too, both versions give me different feelings.
Sia's version gives me more of a "I don't want to give up but I'm losing my hope, please help me I'm feeling lost, I'm really not ok and I don't know what to do" kind of anguished crying, incessant spiraling and panicky desperation.
Adam Lambert's version gives me more of a "I'm feeling dead inside and tired already, I just want it to stop and to give up because I'm scared of having hope already. I'm tired and frustrated of explaining myself again and again but feel like no one really understood and getting let down, I feel lonely and alone I don't want to do this anymore. Yet I'm explaining myself again now, letting it known to more people, is that good enough now? Can my pain and I stop now? Can people stop asking and pressuring me to explain why I'm not doing as well as they expect me to now?" kind of nuanced numbness, haunting self-blaming and feeling defeated. Outro part feels more like frustration shifting to a moment of "whatever I don't really care anymore" after venting, expressing that "I just want to be free and at peace".
Sia's more of anxiety + mania/hypomania, and Adam Lambert's more of depression, IMO, if that makes sense.
The selection of song choices and the way the songs are sung, to me they feel like it's kinda like an album telling the stories or journey of healing, self-acceptance and self-love after years of self-doubt and inner torment; expressing some realizations and moving on to start a new chapter especially after going through some tumultuous highs and dramas in life; hinting at a sense of disillusion due to high drama, the dramas that become more apparent, frequent and unavoidable when reaching a certain height in life; success comes at a price, even though you just want simple happiness and love while doing what you enjoy for a living, but people, politics and money make things complicated and difficult.
@RaymondTywaif
Ok after listening for a few more times, I have more I wanna comment on because I'm feeling a lot from this version too and I want to process and express my feelings after resonating with this song.
The way "Can't feel anything" is sung feels like really pushing himself to "feel" but couldn't feel anything, and find it funnily futile and silly like "why am I still trying at this point?".
Pre-chorus is more like "pushing it" to cope with the emptiness and hopelessness, like "I don't wanna care anymore, what's the point anyway". Sia's more like retelling the mistakes and the cycle that makes her feel trapped in this mess and pain, like "I need to stop but I can't stop myself".
Chorus is more frustration, despair and want to be free by giving up, than it is desperation and spiraling, it's past that point. It's like pushing yourself to scream and "to just feel ok" but couldn't, and then reverting back to numbness after screaming.
Post-chorus really sounds more depressed too, like "it's so hopeless and tiring I don't even know anymore". It's "I wanna cry but I can't, it's too much and I can't even face it or myself anymore, I know I need help but what can I even expect anymore at this point, now I'm only holding on because I'm a coward, I'm such a fool, why am I still doing this to myself and holding on".
Verse 2 feels different too, "gotta get out now gotta run from this" sounds more like mocking himself for still trying to hold on and feeling like a stupid clown, because it's just another pointless/meaningless day yet still needs to put on a facade to pretend to live and do something and inadvertently feeling shameful for not feeling okay and not functioning properly.
Outro, like said before, more of a frustration with everything and yearn to be free and be at peace finally, especially free from all this self-torture and can't find a way out or still hesitant to make "that permanent decision". But at least last few lines sounds more temporarily at peace after venting in the form of singing, and it gives a sense of tiny hope with the wrapping up that maybe he hasn't fully given up yet.
It's really giving me more nuance and definitely subtly feels a lot closer to depression, and sink lower metaphorically. Sia's more spiraling and "swinging" like a panic attack, like "it's overwhelming and I feel like going crazy, I'm holding on to keep my sanity and not let myself swing out of control and fall and crash", even the MV dance feel like it's more related to panicking, anxiety and mania/hypomania state of mind.
@Inmyveinz
Still the best male vocalist of my time and I'm old 🤣. No one does it like you and never will. Honoured to be able to be blessed with your talent 🙏 🇬🇧💕
@vickipotts5196
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@vickipotts5196
He's a great guy and he is very great and is very talented and I love him when he gets dressed up for the difference between so gonna be a little bit more than anyone could do anything like he does it for us and he is a Great guy and he is so happy so much interest in the way he does his own thing to makes us happy and wonder what he is going to do next And thank you Adam for being a great man and you are so awesome
@ellyqueen296
Age is just a number you don't have to adhere to. If you don't feel old, then you aren't old. Take care and live a life as full as you can. I'm not that young in years either, but anyone who calls me "old bitch" can go to hell 💪
@Inmyveinz
@ellyqueen296 wow that sounded rather like your attacking me , but I was just joking about age so not sure why so harsh. I feel old as extremely poorly so sorry love but some of us aren't so lucky in putting like you did. I'd like 2 feel young thanks
@valmacclinchy
@@Inmyveinzunderstandable sentiment. Hope you're feeling better today.
@charmainederrr8426
I tremendously love the key used in here! The mixture of low notes in the verse and high notes in the chorus is so brilliant! The melody changes at some lines really made the song his own. I DECLARE THAT THIS IS MY MOST FAVORITE FROM THE ALBUM!! Now on my 4th time streaming this on Spotify in a span of an hour. I AM GETTING CRAZY OVER THIS UNIQUE TAKE ON THE SONG! Again the key used, the different instruments on the background, and the melody changes particularly on “down” This definitely did not disappoint 👏🏻
If there’s a High Drama World Tour, kindly include Asia and the Philippines!!! I’ll be there waiting to hear this one performed live. 🥹
@cynthias5014
With the possible exception of Wicked Game I find that Adams covers come out as completely different from the originals and I really love them.
@clairetucker1552
Incredible!!!! I've got goosebumps all over. Your voice Adam....it's spectacular! Your enunciation is perfect. I could listen to you sing all day. I just shake my head in disbelief at the perfection you present. I LOVE your version of Chandelier.😍
@ug1969
This is so true. I’m Italian, and when I listen to a song in English, I tend to focus on the melody and - only after many times listening - I try to translate the text in my head and understand the meaning.
but when Adam sings, you know immediately what the song is about! He sings with such purpose and intent that you can’t miss it.
I had this feeling the first time many years ago when he sang somebody to love with Queen on one of those talent shows, and again with believe by Cher, and so many other times. Love it. Holding out for my hero is more my kind of thing, but looking forward to hear this live!