volcano
Beck Lyrics
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These streets so long
I don't know
Where they're
Calling me anymore
But I think
I must have seen a ghost
If it's my illusions
That keep me alive
I don't know what I see
Was it all an illusion?
Or a mirage gone bad?
I'm tired of evil
And all the things
That I don't know
And I've been drifting
On this wave so long
I don't know
If it's already
Crashed on the shore
And I've been riding
On this train so long
I can't tell
If it's you or me
Who is driving us
Into the ground
I don't know
If I'm sane
But there's a ghost
In my heart
That's trying
To see in the dark
I'm tired of people
Who only want
To be pleased
But I still want
To please you
And I heard
Of that Japanese girl
Who jumped
Into the volcano
Was she trying
To make it back
Back into the womb
Of the world?
I've been drinking
All these tears so long
All I've got left
Is the taste of salt
In my mouth
I don't know
Where I've been
But I know
Where I'm going
To that volcano
I don't want
To fall in though
So I want my bones
On the firing line
The lyrics of Beck's song "Volcano" express a sense of frustration with life and a search for meaning. The song describes the feeling of being lost and adrift, uncertain of where one is going or what one is looking for. The singer questions the reality of what he sees and the illusions that he creates in his mind. He expresses a desire to escape from evil and uncertainty, and to find a sense of purpose.
The image of a ghost appears throughout the song, representing a sense of uncertainty and fear about the future. The singer is haunted by the ghost in his heart, which is trying to see in the dark. He wonders if he is sane and if he is the one driving himself towards destruction.
The reference to the Japanese girl who jumped into a volcano is a metaphor for the desire to return to a state of innocence and purity. The singer identifies with this desire but is afraid of falling into the volcano himself. The final lines of the song express a sense of resignation and acceptance, as the singer prepares to face whatever fate may come.
Overall, Beck's "Volcano" is a thoughtful and introspective meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of uncertainty, fear, and the search for meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been walking on
These streets so long
I don't know
Where they're
Calling me anymore
I have been walking aimlessly on these streets for so long that I have completely lost sense of where I am and where I am supposed to be going.
But I think
I must have seen a ghost
I don't know
If it's my illusions
That keep me alive
I believe that I might have seen a ghost, but I am unsure if it is just my own hallucinations that are the only things keeping me alive.
I don't know what I see
Was it all an illusion?
Or a mirage gone bad?
I am completely unsure what I am seeing and if it is even real or just a figment of my imagination.
I'm tired of evil
And all the things
That I don't know
I am exhausted of wickedness and confusion that surrounds me and all of the things that I have yet to comprehend.
And I've been drifting
On this wave so long
I don't know
If it's already
Crashed on the shore
I have been aimlessly floating on this metaphorical wave for so long that I have no idea if it has already reached its end and crashed onto the shore.
And I've been riding
On this train so long
I can't tell
If it's you or me
Who is driving us
Into the ground
I have been riding this train of life for so long that I am unsure if it is I or another person who is responsible for driving it towards disaster.
I don't know
If I'm sane
But there's a ghost
In my heart
That's trying
To see in the dark
I am unsure if I am in a sound state of mind, but there is definitely something in my heart that is attempting to gain insight into the unknown.
I'm tired of people
Who only want
To be pleased
But I still want
To please you
I am exhausted of people who only prioritize their pleasure, but I still wish to bring joy to the person I care about.
And I heard
Of that Japanese girl
Who jumped
Into the volcano
Was she trying
To make it back
Back into the womb
Of the world?
I heard about the Japanese girl who jumped into a volcano and I can't help but wonder if she was attempting to return to the origin of life itself or escape something unbearable in reality.
I've been drinking
All these tears so long
All I've got left
Is the taste of salt
In my mouth
I have been enduring so much emotional pain for an extended period of time that the only thing remaining is the bitter taste of tears in my mouth.
I don't know
Where I've been
But I know
Where I'm going
To that volcano
I am unsure of where I have been on my journey, but I am certain of where I am headed--directly towards a dangerous and destructive place.
I don't want
To fall in though
So I want my bones
On the firing line
I do not wish to plunge into the volcano so I would rather lay down my life and end everything before allowing it to happen.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Beck Hansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind