Firefly
Ben Burnley/Breaking Benjamin Lyrics

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You my friend
You're a lot like them
But I cut your line
And you know I did
Now I'm lost in you
Like I always do
And I'd die to win
'Cause I'm born to lose

Firefly, could you shine your light
Now I know your ways
'Cause they're just like mine
Now I'm justified
As I fall in line
And it's hard to try
When you're open wide

Take my hand
We'll be off and then
We'll come back again
To a different land
Now I like this way
You can go away
If you guess the name
You cannot replace

Firefly, could you shine your light
Now I know your ways
'Cause they're just like mine
Now I'm justified
As I fall in line
And it's hard to try
When you're open wide

Bring me your enemies
Lay them before me
And walk away, walk away, walk away

Firefly, could you shine your light
Now I know your ways
'Cause they're just like mine
Now I'm justified
As I fall in line
And it's hard to try
When you're open wide

Fuck you firefly
Have you lost your light
Now I hate your ways
'Cause they're just like mine
So you've lost my friend
Such a sorry end

And I don't know why
So I choke and smile (smile)

Overall Meaning

The song “Firefly” by Breaking Benjamin talks about a person who cuts off a friend who is a lot like him. The line “you’re a lot like them, but I cut your line, and you know I did” seems to suggest that the singer of the song cut off his friend because he sees too much of himself in him. Later on, the line “now I’m lost in you like I always do, and I’d die to win cause I’m born to lose” highlights the internal struggle within the singer, as he feels drawn to his friend even though he knows he shouldn’t be. He then proceeds to ask the firefly, which could be taken as a symbol for hope or guidance, to shine its light, suggesting that he wants to understand his own ways and those of his friend.

The chorus of the song further emphasizes how similar the two individuals are, with the singer seeing himself in his friend’s actions and thoughts. “Now I’m justified as I fall in line, and it’s hard to try when you’re open wide” suggests that the singer is struggling to confront his own weaknesses and is finding it easier to simply follow in his friend’s footsteps. However, towards the end of the song, there is a sudden shift in tone, with the singer yelling “fuck you firefly, have you lost your light, now I hate your ways cause they’re just like mine”. The song ends with the line “so I choke and smile”, which could be interpreted as the singer suppressing his true emotions when facing his own mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

You my friend
I see myself in you

You're a lot like them
You're like everyone else

But I cut your line
I tried to separate myself from you

And you know I did
And you noticed it too

Now I'm lost in you
But I keep being drawn to you

Like I always do
As if it's my fate

And I'd die to win
I'm willing to do anything to succeed

'Cause I'm born to lose
Even though I know I won't

Firefly, could you shine your light
Could you show me the way

Now I know your ways
Now I understand you

'Cause they're just like mine
Because we're so alike