self portrait
Blackmore's Night/Black more's Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Color it darkly, the lines will start to crawl
Down... down... down
Spin me around and around...
Draw me away to the night from the day, leave not a trace to be found...
Down... down...
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going -
Down down, down, down, down
Paint me a picture of eyes that never see
Flashes of lightning that burn for only me...
Hey, hey, hey - there's only the devil to pay...
I'm ready to go, pull me down from below
Give me a place I can lay
Hey Hey - nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going
Down, down down, down down, down down,
Down down, down, down, down...
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going -
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going
Down, down down, down down, down down,
Down down, down, down, down...
The lyrics to Blackmore's Night's song "Self Portrait" present a sense of emptiness and desperation. The singer is expressing a desire to escape reality, seeking to be pulled into the darkness and away from the light of day. The use of repeated phrases such as "down... down... down" and "nothing is real but the way that I feel" emphasizes the singer's desire to sink deeper into their emotional turmoil.
The metaphor of a painted self-portrait hanging on a wall suggests that the singer is detached from themselves, perhaps even dissociating, and seeking to create a new version of themselves that is more in line with the darkness they desire. The line "paint me a picture of eyes that never see" suggests a desire to disconnect from reality and the pain that comes with it. The final line, "nothing is real but the way that I feel," speaks to the overwhelming emotions that have taken over the singer's reality, leaving little room for anything else.
Overall, "Self Portrait" is a haunting and emotional song that explores themes of detachment, dissociation, and emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Paint me your picture and hang it on the wall
Use your words to create a vivid image of me and display it prominently.
Color it darkly, the lines will start to crawl
Depict me in a gloomy, unsettling manner that captures the twisted nature of my thoughts.
Down... down... down
Emphasize the downward spiral that I feel trapped in.
Spin me around and around...
Let my mind spin in circles, lost in its own confusion.
Draw me away to the night from the day, leave not a trace to be found...
Help me escape the harsh light of reality and retreat into the comforting darkness.
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going -
My emotions are the only thing that matter and they are urging me towards a downward path.
Down, down down, down down, down down,
My mind is spiraling down, out of my control and into a dark abyss.
Paint me a picture of eyes that never see
Render a portrait of someone who is blind to the outside world and consumed by inner darkness.
Flashes of lightning that burn for only me...
Depict a world where even chaos is fixated on me, reinforcing the idea that I am at the center of my own fate.
Hey, hey, hey - there's only the devil to pay...
I am aware of the consequences of my actions and am willing to pay the price to satisfy my desires.
I'm ready to go, pull me down from below
I am desperate to succumb to my inner demons and am willing to let them take me down.
Give me a place I can lay
I am looking for a final resting place where I can lay down and let myself go, consumed by my own emotions.
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going
Once again, my emotions are the driving force behind my actions, and I am ready to give in to them completely.
Down, down down, down down, down down,
My mind continues to spiral out of control, dragging me further and further towards my own destruction.
Down down, down, down, down...
I am being pulled inexorably down into darkness, unable to escape the all-consuming power of my own emotions.
Nothing is real but the way that I feel and I feel like going -
In the end, my feelings are all that matter, and they are guiding me towards my own destruction.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONNIE DIO, RITCHIE BLACKMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind