Bitter Taste
Billy Idol Lyrics
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Too many holes, the damage done
It's bittersweet, black on gold
Talk is cheap, or so I'm told
I'm gonna ride this bike to the edge of town
Roll to the bridge with my eyes shut
And spit at the stars
There's nothing I can do to change it now
But if I cut myself open, baby
You can read all my scars
Read all my scars
Hello, goodbye
There's a million ways to die
Should've left me way back
Should've left me way back
By the roadside
Hello, goodbye
I was staring in the devil's eyes
Should've left me way back
Should've left me way back
By the roadside
It's a bitter taste
Jagged stain on my skin
Broken leg, born again
Wide glide, upside down
Twisted frame, my new crown
I'm gonna ride this bike 'til the break of day
Rolling through the garden like the fountain
Won't take it away
I'm not gonna change
I'm gonna live so hard, these broken wings
Will lift me to the sun so I can burn
Up in the flames
Again and again
Hello, goodbye
There's a million ways to die
Should've left me way back
Should've left me way back
By the roadside
Hello, goodbye
I was staring in the devil's eyes
Should've left me way back
Should've left me way back
By the roadside
It's a bitter taste
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
It's a jagged stain
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
It's a bitter taste
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
It's a jagged stain
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
Hello, goodbye
There's a million ways to die
Should've left me way back
Should've left me way back
By the roadside
It's a bitter taste
In "Bitter Taste," Billy Idol sings about the aftermath of a broken relationship. The lyrics are permeated with pain, resentment, and regret. The "bitter taste on my tongue" could be interpreted as the lingering bitterness he feels about his failed romance. The "too many holes, the damage done" implies that the relationship had become riddled with problems that ultimately caused its demise. He acknowledges that he's made mistakes and should have left the relationship long ago, harkening back to the lines "Should've left me way back, by the roadside." But now that it's over, there's nothing left but bitter memories and unhealed wounds. He talks about "riding this bike to the edge of town," possibly indicating his desire to escape the pain through physical exertion.
Billy Idol's assertion that "there's a million ways to die" adds a sense of finality to the song, signaling that his relationship is beyond repair or resurrection. However, he also seems to find a kind of resilient beauty in his brokenness. He says that he's "gonna live so hard, these broken wings, will lift me to the sun so I can burn up in the flames, again and again." Instead of wallowing in despair, Idol wants to use his pain as fuel to propel himself higher. The song's intensity is palpable, perfectly capturing the raw emotions that come with the end of a relationship and the pursuit of personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
The bitter taste on my tongue
I'm left with a bad flavor in my mouth, probably from something unpleasant that happened to me.
Too many holes, the damage done
I have too many wounds and scars, both physical and emotional, that have affected me negatively.
It's bittersweet, black on gold
My situation is a mixture of positive and negative aspects, but it's mostly negative.
Talk is cheap, or so I'm told
People say that words are meaningless unless there are actions to back them up.
I'm gonna ride this bike to the edge of town
I'm going to leave behind everything that is causing me pain and try to move forward.
Roll to the bridge with my eyes shut
I'm taking a risk and not being cautious because I'm fed up with playing it safe.
And spit at the stars
I'm expressing my frustration and anger towards the universe for putting me in this position.
And scream in the dark
I'm letting out my emotions and venting my frustrations out loud so that no one else can hear.
There's nothing I can do to change it now
I'm acknowledging that the past cannot be undone, so I have to accept what has happened and move on.
But if I cut myself open, baby
If I completely reveal myself, including my flaws and mistakes, to someone I trust, they might understand me better.
You can read all my scars
If someone takes the time to really get to know me, they will learn about all the pain I've been through.
It's a bitter taste
Overall, my experience has left a negative impression on me.
Hello, goodbye
People have come and gone in my life, and I don't know who to trust anymore.
There's a million ways to die
Life is unpredictable and often dangerous.
Should've left me way back
People should have abandoned me a long time ago because I'm not worth the trouble.
By the roadside
I'm insignificant and can be discarded like trash.
I was staring in the devil's eyes
I've been through some dark times and have had to deal with evil or malicious people.
It's a jagged stain on my skin
My scars and wounds are permanent reminders of the pain I've been through.
Broken leg, born again
I've been hurt badly, but I'm trying to start fresh and move on.
Wide glide, upside down
My life has been flipped and turned upside down.
Twisted frame, my new crown
My hardships and struggles have become a part of me and have shaped who I am.
I'm gonna ride this bike 'til the break of day
I won't stop until I've reached my goal, no matter how long it takes.
Rolling through the garden like the fountain
I'm taking my journey step by step, enjoying the simple pleasures along the way.
Won't take it away
No one can rob me of my experiences or my story.
I'm not gonna change
I'm going to remain true to myself and not let anyone else dictate how I should live.
I'm gonna live so hard, these broken wings
I'm going to live life fully, despite my limitations and setbacks.
Will lift me to the sun so I can burn
I'll reach my potential and leave my mark on the world, even if it means taking risks and potentially suffering further harm.
Again and again
I'll keep pushing forward and trying, even if I fail.
It's a jagged stain
My experiences and scars aren't pretty, but they're a part of me and have helped shape who I am.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Idol, Joseph Robert Janiak, Steve Stevens, Tommy English
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterhoare3219
I got six years on ya, but I KNOW exactly what you mean
He adds a whole chapter to the term "Ages like Fine Wine" 😁
I used to que at record shops (when they still existed) to get the new album and EXPLORE
Even got a free Billy t-shirt on day one in Whiplash Smile era!!! 😊
Wore it till it fell apart
@Add_Account485
@@bilhamcobbly2957
i was born in 77! ..
is that the musical conscioussness of the world I chose to enter into at that time ?..
Lol ..
( Generation X 1977!.. )
IT all makes sense now!!.
..
Billy IDOL is a legend..
So is the other guy.
( The real him!..😜👁️💐 )
@josephgutierrez4440
We need to appreciate Billy Idol more while he's here. He's a living legend and still making music.
@marshmangunnar9150
ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY
@adeliablack1020
Hell yeah....he's still got it man...
@adeliablack1020
F*ck yeah!!! I love this song!!!!!
@mikelara63
We actually apreciate Billy Idol...lol
@rdbeaz
Should be in rock n roll hall of fame
@briangregory8223
I can't understand a world that doesn't see this song as an instant classic. Just jaw dropping.
@alanmalcheski8882
their brains don't tell them what's good.
I do.
Move along...
@wraithstrongopark
he never lost it / / /
@ga_s6
the true ones keep true forever