Dark Hearts
Annie - Topic Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Daddy left the family when I was only two
Later I found out he was abandoned too
Mama said to me to never trust a man
But I'm a father's daughter, now you understand
So I said

We can't escape who we are
Story repeating, circles are meeting
And now it's taking us back to the start
We try to fight it, but can't live without it
The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts

Our dark, dark hearts
The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts

We met at the fairground
Saw it in your eyes
Twisted love, attraction, you were just my type

Dangerous desire
The legacy we keep
Give in to seduction, there's no guarantee
So I said

We can't escape who we are
Story repeating, circles are meeting
And now it's taking us back to the start
We try to fight it, but can't live without it
The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts

Our dark, dark hearts
The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts

Playing out the frequence to the sequence of it's drum




Gotta be strong, gotta play on
And don't keep it a secret, just believe and get it on
Gotta be strong, gotta play on

And when those games we play are feeling so passé
Know that we're slaves that move to the beating of our dark, dark hearts

Our dark, dark hearts
The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts
Our dark, dark hearts
The games we play are feeling so passé
Know that er're slaves that move to the beating of our dark, dark hearts

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of "Dark Hearts," the artist reveals a painful family history shaped by abandonment and distrust. The mention that her father left when she was just two years old speaks to a formative trauma that likely influenced her perceptions of love and attachment. This pain is compounded by her mother’s admonition to never trust a man, creating a framework of skepticism toward relationships. However, the acknowledgment of being "a father's daughter" introduces an inner conflict. This indicates that despite the warnings and negative experiences, she carries the weight of her father's legacy within her, leading to an inevitable intertwining of identity and familial patterns. This initial groundwork sets the stage for her introspection about inherent tendencies and the cyclical nature of emotional experiences that haunt many individuals affected by similar backgrounds.


As the song progresses, the chorus underscores the inevitability of repeating past patterns. The line "We can't escape who we are" suggests a profound acceptance of one’s history and the characteristics that accompany it. The motif of circles – "circles are meeting" – implies that relationships often circle back, leading to familiar dynamics. This cyclical nature suggests a struggle against fate, where attempts to break free from the chains of their dark past ultimately prove futile. The phrase "the games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts" evokes a sense of predestination, where the desires and pains of past heartbreaks dictate the actions and choices in new relationships. This call to recognize the ongoing struggle between acknowledging one’s pain and attempting to transcend it illuminates an internal battle between personal agency and inherent nature.


The song also captures the intoxicating allure of love, specifically the notion of "twisted love." The setting at a fairground, typically associated with joy and innocence, contrasts sharply with the haunting realization that attraction and desire can often lead to chaos and danger. The artist suggests that the chemistry between love and peril creates a seductive power that can feel irresistible, reinforcing the idea that desire bears no guarantees of happiness. Drawing from the familial legacy of complicated relationships, the hazard of giving in to dangerous desires reflects the precarious balance between passion and the risk of repeating familial cycles of heartbreak. Hence, this dangerous seduction wields a control over the individual that echoes the earlier themes of inheritance – an unsettling liaison with their darkened lineage.


In the concluding verses, the song intricately blends themes of perseverance and resignation. The call to "play on" signifies both the determination to continue despite the burden of one's dark legacy and the weariness that accompanies constant struggle. There's a recognition that while they may feel like "slaves" to their emotions and urges, the rhythmic "beating of our dark, dark hearts" embodies a haunting cadence that compels action. The contrasting notion of feeling "passé" indicates an awareness that the games of love and desire can grow stale, yet the cycle continues regardless. This reflects a poignant truth about the human experience: the interplay between the desire for growth and the gravitational pull of one’s past. Ultimately, “Dark Hearts” weaves a narrative rich in complexity, reflecting on the intertwining of identity, legacy, and the inescapably intricate dance of love and pain.


Line by Line Meaning

Daddy left the family when I was only two
My father abandoned us when I was just an infant, leaving an emotional void that shaped my early life.


Later I found out he was abandoned too
In time, I discovered that my father himself had endured abandonment, suggesting a cycle of neglect and pain that spans generations.


Mama said to me to never trust a man
My mother cautioned me against trusting men, reflecting her own experiences that colored her perspectives on relationships.


But I'm a father's daughter, now you understand
Despite my mother's warnings, I carry the essence of my father within me, illustrating the complex pull of familial ties and inherited traits.


We can't escape who we are
No matter how hard we try, our identities and past experiences are profoundly ingrained within us.


Story repeating, circles are meeting
The patterns of our lives and choices continue to cycle through similar themes, suggesting a recurring narrative that is unavoidable.


And now it's taking us back to the start
Inevitably, our journeys often bring us back to the origins of our struggles and relationships, as if we are destined to confront our beginnings.


We try to fight it, but can't live without it
Although we resist these patterns, we find ourselves unable to break free from them, as they are integral to our existence.


The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts
The dynamics and relationships we engage in are deeply influenced by the darker aspects of our emotions and experiences.


Our dark, dark hearts
The reference to our 'dark hearts' symbolizes the complex, often troubling emotions that guide our actions and behaviors.


The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts
Our interactions and conflicts are shaped by the vulnerabilities and hidden struggles that lie within us.


We met at the fairground
Our first encounter took place in a lively, carefree setting, symbolizing the initial spark of attraction amidst innocence.


Saw it in your eyes
I perceived a captivating intensity in your gaze, hinting at a deeper connection and mutual understanding.


Twisted love, attraction, you were just my type
The chemistry we shared was complex and perhaps unhealthy, yet it resonated deeply with my desires and instincts.


Dangerous desire
The longing I felt was fraught with risks and potential harm, illustrating the allure of forbidden attraction.


The legacy we keep
The patterns and emotional baggage we inherit and perpetuate in our relationships create a legacy that influences our lives.


Give in to seduction, there's no guarantee
Succumbing to temptation may lead to uncertain outcomes, highlighting the unpredictability of our choices.


We can't escape who we are
Reiterating that our identities and histories are inescapable, no matter our efforts to redefine ourselves.


Story repeating, circles are meeting
Emphasizing once more the cyclical nature of our life experiences and the inevitable convergence of our narratives.


And now it's taking us back to the start
Highlighting the way our journeys ultimately lead us back to our initial points of origin in relational dynamics.


We try to fight it, but can't live without it
Again noting our struggle against these ingrained patterns, which we paradoxically depend on for our sense of identity.


The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts
Restating that our interpersonal dynamics are deeply rooted in the more shadowy and complex aspects of our emotions.


Playing out the frequence to the sequence of it's drum
We are moving in rhythm to the underlying beats of our emotional experiences, actively participating in the unfolding of our lives.


Gotta be strong, gotta play on
We must summon resilience and keep pressing forward, despite the difficulties that arise in our paths.


And don't keep it a secret, just believe and get it on
We should not suppress our feelings but rather embrace them, fostering authenticity in our interactions.


Gotta be strong, gotta play on
Reaffirming the need for strength in navigating life and its challenges as we continue to engage with our experiences.


And when those games we play are feeling so passé
In moments when our usual patterns of behavior start to feel stale or outdated.


Know that we're slaves that move to the beating of our dark, dark hearts
Recognizing that even in the face of ennui, we are still bound by the powerful and sometimes oppressive nature of our emotional histories.


Our dark, dark hearts
A reminder of the complexity and depth of our inner emotional lives, which shape our actions.


The games we play are written by our dark, dark hearts
Ending on the note that our interactions remain fundamentally governed by the darker impulses and legacies within us.


Our dark, dark hearts
Reiterating the significance of our emotional complexities and how they guide our life narratives.


The games we play are feeling so passé
Acknowledging that even our typical relational dynamics may begin to feel outdated or unfulfilling.


Know that we're slaves that move to the beating of our dark, dark hearts
Affirming that we are constantly influenced and driven by the forces of our emotions and pasts, no matter how repetitive or limiting they may seem.




Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Anne Lila Berge Strand, Stefan Storm

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions