II
Alive In Wild Paint Lyrics


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Pigment pale and figure frail
I feel your hands tremble in mine
As you rest your head on the motel bed
Asking what's left behind
When you take a bow
And the curtains close
They will applaud you for playing the role
Of a wretched child
With a bleeding nose
An empty stomach and beautiful clothes
Who's to tell of the quiet hell
Cast in your soul
Burning you down
A patient too sick to wait
You sought to medicate




You meant to feel better
But all you feel is nothing now

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are a poignant reflection on the dark side of fame and the toll it can take on one’s mental health. The opening lines reveal a delicate and fragile figure, likely a metaphor for a person who has achieved success but is now struggling with the burden of expectation that comes with it. The singer holds this person’s hand, trying to offer comfort, but the trembling suggests the depth of their distress.


The motel bed symbolizes the transience of fame – here today, gone tomorrow. The person is questioning what remains when the spotlight is turned off, and the fickle audience has moved on to the next flavor of the month. The reference to taking a bow and the curtains closing evoke the image of a stage performance, reinforcing the idea that the person’s life is a kind of performance and that their achievements are little more than a carefully crafted illusion.


The lyrics go on to describe the person’s role as a “wretched child” with “beautiful clothes” - a vivid portrayal of someone who appears successful on the outside but is struggling internally. Behind the façade lies “quiet hell,” and the person is burning inside. They seek solace in medication, hoping to feel better, but ultimately it leads to numbness and an inability to feel anything at all.


Overall, the song is a powerful comment on the pitfalls of success and the pressures that come with it. It’s a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that material wealth and public recognition do not necessarily equate to happiness.


Line by Line Meaning

Pigment pale and figure frail
You appear weak and ill, lacking vibrancy or color in your complexion and overall appearance.


I feel your hands tremble in mine
I sense your fear and anxiety as you grip my hands and shake involuntarily.


As you rest your head on the motel bed
You lean back onto the dingy and uncomfortable mattress of the cheap motel room we're in.


Asking what's left behind
You ponder what remains of your life or identity after experiencing various difficult situations.


When you take a bow
In the act of completing something or bidding farewell, like a performer who takes a bow after a show.


And the curtains close
The metaphorical curtains of a performance or act fall and the show is over.


They will applaud you for playing the role
Others will recognize and praise you for the facade or persona you have adopted for their benefit or satisfaction.


Of a wretched child
Your persona is that of a helpless and miserable child, despite your true age and experience.


With a bleeding nose
Your character is portrayed as physically wounded, with visible injuries or signs of trauma.


An empty stomach and beautiful clothes
You wear clothing that gives off the appearance of wealth or status, despite being hungry and possibly impoverished.


Who's to tell of the quiet hell
It's hard to convey or express the inner torment or suffering that you are experiencing without external judgement or scrutiny.


Cast in your soul
The source or cause of your pain and suffering is deeply embedded within your own self and being, almost as if it's a part of your soul.


Burning you down
The suffering or pain that you feel is all-consuming and damaging, causing harm to your physical and emotional well-being.


A patient too sick to wait
You are like someone in desperate need of medical attention, with no time to waste waiting for a cure or solution.


You sought to medicate
You looked for a way to cure or alleviate your pain, most likely through self-medication or other means.


You meant to feel better
You had hoped that the act of self-medication or other forms of treatment would make you feel better or bring relief from your suffering.


But all you feel is nothing now
Despite your efforts to medicate or treat your ailment, you still feel empty and numb, with no sense of relief or joy from anything.




Contributed by Adrian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Bryan Baez

Finally

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