Firefly
Blackfield featuring Brett Anderson Lyrics


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Firefly, I'm flying in circles til I die
I light my way within the lines
I don't know where I am

Firefly, on my tail there's dying light
I don't know how long it will last
Before I'll meet the ground
Moonshine over the mountain
No promised land, no true love waits
Speed up and then we slow down
The clocks in my skin are winding down

Firefly, I'm glowing in the dark tonight
Those tiny wings won't get me far
I'm pretty where I am

Firefly, those funny sparkles in the sky




You've got no purpose while you are
Guided by the wind

Overall Meaning

The song "Firefly" by Blackfield featuring Brett Anderson is a complex exploration of the themes of confusion and uncertainty, with the firefly representing the singer's quest for direction and purpose. The opening line, "Firefly, I'm flying in circles til I die," establishes the sense of aimlessness that pervades the song. The singer is lost, both literally and metaphorically, unsure of where they are going or what their purpose in life is. The use of the firefly as a metaphor is significant - the insect is small, fragile, and seemingly insignificant, yet it is capable of lighting its way in the darkness. The singer is similarly small and fragile, but feels that they possess some sort of light within them that can guide their way forward.


The second verse takes a more melancholic turn, with the singer contemplating the inevitability of their own mortality. The "dying light" on their tail suggests that death is not far off, and the uncertainty of how long it will take to arrive only adds to their sense of anxiety. The imagery of the moonshine over the mountain and the absence of a promised land or true love adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that the singer is feeling. The clocks in their skin winding down emphasize the sense of time running out and the urgency of finding a sense of purpose before it's too late.


The chorus repeats the theme of the firefly as an uncertain guide, with the singer acknowledging that their wings won't take them far and that they are pretty much stuck where they are. The funny sparkles in the sky refer to actual fireflies, but also serve as a metaphor for the idea of fate or destiny - the fireflies are guided by the wind, which the singer sees as a symbol of the forces beyond their control that are shaping their life.


Line by Line Meaning

Firefly, I'm flying in circles til I die
I feel lost, directionless, and aimless in life and fear it may never change.


I light my way within the lines
I try to stay within the boundaries or expectations set for me to avoid disappointing others or making mistakes.


I don't know where I am
I lack a sense of purpose and don't know where I'm headed in life.


Firefly, on my tail there's dying light
I see the past and its mistakes fading away, and feel the pressure of time running out on me.


I don't know how long it will last
I'm uncertain about what the future holds and how much time I have left to achieve my goals.


Before I'll meet the ground
Before my time on this earth comes to an end and I have to face my own mortality.


Moonshine over the mountain
The beauty of nature and its serenity, despite the struggles in life.


No promised land, no true love waits
There are no guarantees in life, and love is not always permanent or reliable.


Speed up and then we slow down
Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes we are moving too quickly or too slowly to keep up with it.


The clocks in my skin are winding down
I am getting older and closer to death, and my body is starting to slow down and show signs of wear and tear.


Firefly, I'm glowing in the dark tonight
I'm trying to find my own way and make a name for myself, despite feeling lost and uncertain.


Those tiny wings won't get me far
I know that my success may be limited, and that I may not achieve everything I want in life.


I'm pretty where I am
I am content with who I am and where I stand in life, even if it may not be perfect.


Firefly, those funny sparkles in the sky
The beauty of the world and its wonders, even in the darkest of times.


You've got no purpose while you are
The firefly is small and insignificant, and may not have any inherent purpose or meaning, but it still brings light and joy to the world.




Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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