Born Again Pessimist
Architects Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I took an easy ride
So the world could pretend that I'm superior (pretend that I'm superior)
You'd have an honest man
If you took the time to wire up my jaw (wire up my jaw)
I fell asleep in the backseat
Fuck, it was so sweet
I ran a red like I saw a matador, yeah
The sun might melt
Whilst you wait for my arteries to thaw (my arteries to thaw)
I'm taking you to war
I'm taking you to war

I'm never gonna spill my guts
It feels like death by a thousand cuts
So when the here and now holds me down
I fall apart
I don't wanna talk too much
I'm never gonna stop yeah, I love this crutch
So if I kiss the ground, don't look 'round
God bless my big empty heart

I'll only lose my head if I stand too close to hysteria
And if it took your breath
Then I'm betting that I focused on the flaw
So go and set me in concrete, I'm just a deadbeat
You always said I'm the wolf that's at your door
I would drown myself
But the thirst would have me coming back for more

I'm never gonna spill my guts
It feels like death by a thousand cuts
So when the here and now holds me down
I fall apart
I don't wanna talk too much
I'm never gonna stop yeah, I love this crutch
So if I kiss the ground, don't look 'round
God bless my big empty heart
God bless my big empty heart

I'm just a born again pessimist
I'll only kick you from the precipice
Come follow me, we'll march on heaven's gates

I'm never gonna spill my guts
It feels like death by a thousand cuts
So when the here and now holds me down
I fall apart
I don't wanna talk too much
I'm never gonna stop yeah, I love this crutch
So if I kiss the ground, don't look 'round
God bless my big empty heart

My big empty heart
My big empty heart




My big empty heart
God bless my big empty heart

Overall Meaning

In the song "Born Again Pessimist" by Architects, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is struggling with their own sense of self-worth and identity. The opening stanza describes the singer taking an "easy ride" in life, allowing others to perceive them as superior, even though deep down they feel like a fraud. The mention of having their jaw wired shut suggests a desire to silence themselves, to hide their true thoughts and emotions from the world. The reference to running a red light like a matador evokes a sense of recklessness and self-destructive behavior.


The chorus delves into the singer's internal struggles, expressing a reluctance to open up and be vulnerable. The fear of being judged or rejected by others leads them to keep their emotions bottled up, feeling like they are slowly being destroyed from within. The use of the metaphor "death by a thousand cuts" conveys the idea of enduring continuous pain and suffering. Despite this, they cling to their coping mechanisms, their "crutch," to numb the pain and avoid confronting their inner turmoil.


The second stanza continues to explore the singer's inner conflict, as they grapple with their own insecurities and self-doubt. The imagery of being set in concrete symbolizes feeling trapped and immobilized by their own fears and anxieties. The mention of drowning themselves but being drawn back for more encapsulates the cyclical nature of their struggles with mental health and self-destructive tendencies.


The closing stanza reveals a glimmer of hope amidst the despair, as the singer acknowledges their pessimism but also hints at a desire for redemption and a fresh start. By declaring themselves a "born again pessimist," they confront their negative outlook on life but also allude to a potential transformation or awakening. The repetition of "God bless my big empty heart" reinforces a sense of resignation and acceptance of their emotional emptiness, while also suggesting a plea for divine intervention or guidance in finding peace and resolution. Overall, the song encapsulates a poignant exploration of inner turmoil, self-acceptance, and the constant battle between darkness and light within the human psyche.


Line by Line Meaning

I took an easy ride
I chose the simple path to make others believe I am better than them


You'd have an honest man if you took the time to wire up my jaw
If you took the effort to silence me, you would see my true intentions


I fell asleep in the backseat, fuck, it was so sweet
I found comfort in ignorance and carelessness


I ran a red like I saw a matador
I took risks blindly, like a bull charging at a matador's red cape


The sun might melt whilst you wait for my arteries to thaw
You will wait forever for me to change, as my cold heart will never warm up


I'm taking you to war
I am leading us into conflict and struggle


I'm never gonna spill my guts
I will never reveal my true feelings and thoughts


It feels like death by a thousand cuts
The pain is slow and agonizing, like being cut repeatedly


So when the here and now holds me down, I fall apart
Present circumstances can easily overwhelm me and cause me to break down


I don't wanna talk too much
I prefer not to speak openly or share too many details


So if I kiss the ground, don't look 'round, God bless my big empty heart
If I fail or stumble, please don't pay attention, my heart is devoid of genuine emotion


I'm just a born again pessimist
I have adopted a negative outlook on life once again


I'll only kick you from the precipice
I will only push you away further from me and towards danger


Come follow me, we'll march on heaven's gates
Join me in my misguided journey towards an unattainable ideal


My big empty heart
My heart is void of true emotion or connection




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alex Anthony Dean, Daniel Joseph Searle, Joshua Middleton, Sam Carter

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
Comments from YouTube:

@javier2197

I don't get the reason why this song is so overlooked. It fucking slaps

@elitefirebox6724

This is great song, I really loved the call back to The Here And Now, very underrated Architects Album

@mapdaspapier1658

Man that song is one of my favs on the whole album!!

@TheHouseOfLobos

liked their reference about their album "the here and now" also the breakdow is da good one

@nuso155

Quite a few references in this album, in all the love in the world there is also a reference to Animals and I love it

@arun09345

Definitely a good juan!

@shadop-franco7612

Breakdown very moment amazing

@conorbrennan5836

2:32 The best part by far

@ewanbennettproducer

Big pendulum vibes on this! Love it

@jordanmckay7037

Thought that too. That drum pattern at the beginning of the song & in the chorus is very Pendulum. Which is no bad thing at all.

More Comments