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 eight 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 which was released on September 13th, 2019; She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She which was released on February 9th, 2024.
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
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.
@litedikt
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
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
It's a machine we're up against
Devoid of reason, devoid of sense
@jimmysmh
Many nights have been spent listening to this song.
@litedikt
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
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
It's a machine we're up against
Devoid of reason, devoid of sense
@Vadfuly
"We could be two straight lines in a crooked world."
@jpsplat
I went to this small community college in a tiny Oregon town for a whole year... the location of the campus was way out by itself in the woods. This song was on a playlist I had that I would listen to while I did math problems on a computer in a small room (usually by myself). Even though that was a while ago, this song still evokes strange emotions of loneliness, silence, deep thought, stillness, and algebra.
@adotwhite
+jpsplat lol!
@molomix23
loneliness is the perfect way to describe the vibe. I feel so lonely in others company and this song captures that emotion I feel
@DhanKOTB
nice
@glohitia666
The feeling of an overly Intelligent mind.. Know the feeling too well..
@jpsplat
thanks for your flattery but that was a basic algebra course lol
@courtneygold839
first song of hers I ever listened to and have been addicted ever since. I would drink alone and listen to this song on repeat. I feel like the creature in H.P. Lovecraft's "The Outsider" and I live alone in the woods playing with the butterflies.