Chelsea Joy Wolfe was born in Roseville, California, and grew up in Sacramento. She is of Norwegian and German descent. Her father was in a country band and owned a home studio. By the age of 7, she had written her first poem and by the age of 9, she had written and recorded songs which she later described as "basically Casio-based gothy R&B songs."
Inspired by the dark state of the world and the strange connection between all things, she creates a unique musical blend of goth-folk, experimental rock and spiritual realm funeral songs. With influences ranging from the great minds of Ingmar Bergman and David Lynch to Soviet and end-times literature, her songs conjure visions of other dimensions, claustrophobic echo-rooms and parking garage cathedrals.
Wolfe has recorded seven full length studio albums: The Grime and the Glow, which was released on December 28th, 2010 on limited vinyl through Brooklyn’s Pendu Sound Recordings; Ἀποκάλυψις (pronounced “Apokalypsis”), which was released as a 12” LP on August 23rd, 2011; Unknown Rooms: a Collection of Acoustic Songs, which was released on October, 2012 through Sargent House; Pain Is Beauty, out September 3rd, 2013; Abyss, which was released August 7th, 2015; and Hiss Spun, out September 22nd, 2017; Birth of Violence[7i] which was released on September 13th, 2019.
Echo
Chelsea Wolfe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the void they come alive and intertwine
In the void I saw all I ever wanted
Beyond reality, beyond the binary
Bathing in the blood of who I used to be
Offering up all my imperfect offerings
Become my own fantasy
Twist the old self into poetry
Undone
Cut through chords
Cut ties
To yours
This world was not designed for us
And I've been punished, I've been blessed
Surrounded by living ghosts, you see
I thought I had to swallow them before they swallowed me
But you only know the one I've been
I've shed a thousand skins since then
A curse upon the monster of more
That shit does not define me anymore
Undone
Cut through chords
Cut ties
To yours
Undone
Cut through chords
Cut ties
To yours
Undone
Cut through chords
Cut ties
To yours
More, more, more, more
More, more, more, more, more
More, more, more, more, more
More, more, more, more
Done
The lyrics of Chelsea Wolfe's song "Echo" delve into the tangled depths of the mind and explore themes of self-discovery, transformation, and defiance against societal pressures. The first verse sets a haunting tone, describing whispers in the echo chamber of the artist's mind. These whispers symbolize inner thoughts and desires that come alive and intertwine within the void of the mind. It is within this void that the artist catches a glimpse of everything she ever desired, transcending the confines of reality and the binary nature of existence.
The following line, "Bathing in the blood of who I used to be," suggests a ritualistic shedding of the past. By offering up her imperfect offerings, she becomes her own fantasy and transforms her previous self into poetry. This process of self-transformation involves unraveling and letting go, represented by the repetition of the word "undone" throughout the song. Cutting through chords and ties signifies breaking free from attachments and expectations, including those imposed by others.
The second verse reveals the artist's realization that this world was not designed for her, highlighting the struggles she has faced. She acknowledges being both punished and blessed, implying a complex relationship with her experiences. Surrounded by living ghosts, she felt a need to consume or assimilate them before they consumed her. However, she asserts that people only know the version of her she used to be, as she has shed a thousand skins since then. This shedding of skins is a means of liberating herself from the curse of always wanting more, suggesting a rejection of society's definition of success and fulfillment.
The repetition of the phrase "Undone, cut through chords, cut ties, to yours" emphasizes the artist's determination to break free from the expectations and attachments of others. By cutting through chords and ties, she asserts her autonomy and rejects the notion that she should conform to what others desire. The song concludes abruptly with the word "done," indicating a sense of finality and completion.
Overall, the lyrics of "Echo" offer a powerful exploration of self-discovery, transformation, and defiance against societal pressures. Chelsea Wolfe conveys a sense of liberation and the courage to define oneself beyond societal expectations, embracing personal growth and authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Whispers in the echo chamber of my mind
The constant thoughts and ideas that circle and reverberate in my mind.
In the void they come alive and intertwine
In the emptiness, those thoughts and ideas gain life and blend together.
In the void I saw all I ever wanted
In that emptiness, I found everything I desired.
Beyond reality, beyond the binary
Transcending the confines of reality and societal norms.
Bathing in the blood of who I used to be
Immersing myself in the remnants of my past self.
Offering up all my imperfect offerings
Presenting all my flaws and imperfections as a tribute.
Become my own fantasy
Transforming myself into the embodiment of my own desires.
Twist the old self into poetry
Molding my previous self into an art form, a poetic expression.
Undone
Unraveled, unraveled.
Cut through chords
Severing the ties that bind, the emotional connections.
Cut ties
Breaking free from the attachments and relationships.
To yours
To the connections with someone else.
This world was not designed for us
The world we live in was not made to fully accommodate and understand us.
And I've been punished, I've been blessed
Both facing hardships and experiencing moments of fortune.
Surrounded by living ghosts, you see
Being amidst people who are alive, yet feel like distant spirits.
I thought I had to swallow them before they swallowed me
Believing that I had to consume and accept those around me before they consumed my sense of self.
But you only know the one I've been
You are only acquainted with the version of me from the past.
I've shed a thousand skins since then
I have transformed and evolved countless times since our last encounter.
A curse upon the monster of more
A condemnation of the constant desire for excessive accumulation and greed.
That shit does not define me anymore
Those materialistic and superficial pursuits no longer shape my identity as they once did.
More, more, more, more
The insatiable longing for increased quantity and possessions.
Done
Finished, concluded.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Benjamin Chisholm, Bryan Tulao, Chelsea Wolfe, Jessica Gowrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T. Byron K.
Chelsea <3
Cynthia Cgc
This reminds me of cantara by dead can dance
Mr Potato Cunt
This is a cover version, no?
Mr Potato Cunt
Yeah that's it. Thanks : )
Phylisha Tobin
Yes, it's a Rudimentary Peni song originally.