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.
Maw
Chelsea Wolfe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where are you
where are you
where are you
in the maw
shattered teeth
underneath a
dripping tongue
i've been waiting
in this silence
while you're sleeping
until you believe
where are you
where are you
in the maw
in a world so dirty
intoxicated
a life of tears
in the maw
a world in a daze
none can be trusted
in the mouth of the beast
i've been waiting
in this silence
while you're sleeping
until you believe
i've been waiting
in this silence
i'm on fire
i'm on fire
In Chelsea Wolfe's song Maw, the repeated question of "where are you" signifies a search for an absent individual or force, possibly a loved one or a spiritual entity. The chorus repeats the phrase "in the maw", insinuating that the absence or search is within the metaphorical abyss of a monstrous or devouring creature. The imagery of "shattered teeth" and "underneath a dripping tongue" creates a dark, foreboding space for the search to take place. The singer states they have been "waiting in this silence while you're sleeping until you believe", indicating their commitment to finding the missing entity, even if it takes waiting in the depths of the maw.
The repeated phrase "in a world so dirty, intoxicated, a life of tears" portrays a world without hope or purity, one that has been tainted beyond repair. The singer declares that "none can be trusted" in this "world in a daze". This sense of paranoia and desperation is heightened by the ominous presence of the maw, as if the search for something trustworthy and pure can only take place in the beast's mouth. The song ends on the repeated line "I'm on fire", suggesting a desire for purification or purification through destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
where are you
Asking the whereabouts of the person she is addressing.
where are you
Repeating the question to emphasize its importance.
where are you
Continuing to ask the question, expressing worry or concern.
where are you
Asking the question one last time before moving on.
in the maw
Referring to a dangerous place, like the mouth of a hungry predator.
shattered teeth
Describing the sharp and broken state of the predator's mouth.
underneath a
Further describing the surroundings, giving the sense of being trapped or cornered.
dripping tongue
Detailing the predator's state of hunger or thirst, ready to consume.
i've been waiting
Implying that the predator has been waiting for its prey to fall into its trap.
in this silence
Emphasizing the feeling of isolation, making it seem even more ominous.
while you're sleeping
Suggesting that the person she is addressing is unaware of the danger they are in.
until you believe
Revealing the true motive behind her actions, which is to make the person realize their imminent danger and take action to avoid it.
in a world so dirty
Describing the harsh and unforgiving nature of the world they live in, where danger is ever present.
intoxicated
Suggesting a state of confusion or disorientation caused by something dangerous or harmful.
a life of tears
Expressing the pain and sorrow of living in such a world of danger and fear.
a world in a daze
Further emphasizing the confusion and disorientation caused by the surrounding danger.
none can be trusted
Asserting a message of caution, implying that no one can truly be trusted in this world.
in the mouth of the beast
Bringing a literal interpretation back into focus, referring to the state of danger and fear previously described.
i'm on fire
Suggesting a heightened state of emotion or urgency, possibly indicating the need for action or escape.
i've been waiting
Reinforcing the idea that the predator is waiting patiently for its prey.
in this silence
Once again emphasizing the isolation and danger of the situation.
until you believe
Reiterating the need for the person to take action before it's too late.
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stav Mkr
Where are you
Where are you
Where are you
Where are you
In the maw
Shattered teeth
Underneath a
Dripping tongue
I've been waiting
In this silence
While you're sleeping
Until you believe
Where are you
Where are you
In the maw
In a world so dirty
Intoxicated
A life of tears
In the maw
A world in a daze
None can be trusted
In the mouth of the beast
I've been waiting
In this silence
While you're sleeping
Until you believe
I've been waiting
In this silence
I'm on fire
I'm on fire
Love and Lag
It's the beauty that one finds in loneliness; not sad, but melancholy.
Allan Frame
@Maeros omg 😱 thank you, I love works like Chelsea, darkly beautiful.. people have always misunderstood me and said I’m depressed or suicidal for writing or listening to music like this,..... but I don’t at all once feel like that.... I do find a lot of comfort in this music, especially as soon as I wake still have asleep or at night before bed... there has to be a word for it.. because depressed sad or melancholic is not how I feel when listen to music like this, American darkness or be all things,.. for example I feel uplifted I feel spiritually grounded and after a long day at work it brings me bliss,..... your comment makes so much sense though and I have never peiced that together before, thanks for showing me something I have always overlooked.. most of us empaths aswell, so we see and feel the depth of raw emotion in her voice and can value you it as something more than sadness or darkness, I would say it’s passionate....
Maeros
Introverts understand ;-)
Maya L-S
Yes!!
Ocean Sage
I love her kind of lonely ambiance here. It's so sad, yet powerful.
arya
Of everything I am
I’ll make a big pyre
I’ll step on all my havens
I’ll feed the fire
I’ll breathe my smoke
When I’ll be an only flame, then
I’ll be pure and alive
And the wind will want to drag me away
caleb b
her music really affects me unlike any other artist I've heard.. it's almost hard to listen to some of her tracks. I mean that in the best way because they are hauntingly beautiful, but I find myself dwelling in some of the pain I've experienced in my life. her music really is an emotional tool kit to me.
beef sock
Chick Deney nice 👏
Jean-Gabriel Baechelen
I saw her in Paris ,this song was absolutely divine,ethereal and I was completely hypnotized
Cassini -
Makes me think of a song that would echo through out a abandoned city in a apocalyptic future.