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.
Tracks
Chelsea Wolfe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Devoid of reason, devoid of sense
It's a system full of regret
We wear it on our shoulders
Because someday we'll win
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
They've created
a machine that lacks reasoning and common sense. The system is rife with remorse, and we bear the burden of that remorse on our shoulders. However, we hold on to hope that one day we will emerge victorious. In a world that is twisted and unjust, we have the potential to be the straight lines that lead the way.
The lyrics suggest a critical perspective on the oppressive forces that shape our world. Rather than accepting the status quo, the song calls on us to resist the machinery of oppression and to strive for a better vision of the future. It is a clarion call for change, a recognition of the power of collective action and the strength that comes from standing up for what is right.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a machine we're up against
We're facing an automated and mechanical force, not a human one.
Devoid of reason, devoid of sense
This force lacks human emotions and intelligence, making it harder to reason with or understand.
It's a system full of regret
The force we're opposing is regretful, and we are bearing the weight of its mistakes.
We wear it on our shoulders
We carry the burden of this system's failures and consequences.
Because someday we'll win
Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful and determined to succeed in the end.
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
Amid the chaos and disorder of this world, we have the potential to stay true to our principles and values.
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
This line is repeated to emphasize the hope and possibility that exists within us in spite of difficult circumstances.
They've created
This line is incomplete and open-ended, suggesting that there is more to come and more to reveal about the system and those who created it.
Contributed by Samuel L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gabriel Facundo
It's a machine we're up against
Devoid of reason, devoid of sense
It's a system full of regret
We wear it on our shoulders
Because someday we'll win
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
We could be two straight lines in a crooked world
They've created
Loaded Painted
I feel like Chelsea is the kind of artist that can create a folk/western album, follow it with a black metal record and it would make total sense.
RPG den
Well this post aged SUPER well!
keir farnum
@AmonRa1081
And then after Hiss Spun and Abyss, she did a full on folk album (The Birth of Violence.) I hope it’s just an interlude album because I really like the doom rock stuff. Although I can appreciate her singing talent with the folk stuff, it just doesn’t move me as much as the harder stuff.
Dr. Cryptox
@Maybelle Anne Zapanta Doom metal with a black metal vibe
Le Bulle
@Maybelle Anne Zapanta Sort of, it's Hiss Spun.
Maybelle Anne Zapanta
@AmonRa1081 What? Chelsea has a Black Metal album?
Erich Groti
It's hard to explain how strong are the effects of these songs on me. Few things can cause me so much joy and melancholy at the same time.
Mar&Sol Ayala
Same
Matea
Relatable
Red Lion
and I say that as a positive thing.