Cement
Citizen Lyrics


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Press your fingers on it, igniting what you are
Meet me by the lake
I'm ripe with severed faith
You wear the only scar

If I'm saint, then you're heaven
My only
If I'm a waste, then you're golden
My only
If I'm a shame, then you're bolder than all of me
If I'm a saint, then you're heaven
My only

Cement for all of our teeth
I'll give you myself any day

Rest your body in it, set fire to your thoughts
Let your arms down, throw your soul out
There is no control

Cement for all of our teeth
Spread your figure across
Don't deny who you were
Cement for all of our teeth
Wear the skin that I stole
Don't deny what you want
I'll give you myself any day

If I am flawed, then you're perfect
My only
If I'm a liar, then you're blameless
My only
If I am hanging by a thread, then you're infinite
If I'm a saint, then you're heaven
My only

Cement for all of our teeth
Spread your figure across
Don't deny who you were
Cement for all of our teeth
Wear the skin that I stole




Don't deny what you want
I'll give you myself any day

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Citizen's "Cement" conveys the idea of a lighter, illuminating an object - igniting what you are. This could refer to someone pressuring themselves to confront their deepest emotions and, in doing so, revealing their true self. The singer then invites the listener to join him by the lake, but he is plagued by a lack of faith. In contrast, the listener bears a visible scar, suggesting that they have been through something traumatic and have since emerged stronger. The singer sees the listener as a source of comfort and guidance. 


The chorus alternates between the singer and the listener, with each one describing qualities that complement each other. The first verse details the singer's feelings of inferiority to the listener, and the chorus expands on his insecurities. The lyric "If I am flawed, then you're perfect" demonstrates the struggle of feeling inadequate in the face of real or imagined perfection. There is a vulnerability in these words that highlights the emotional complexity of the singer's internal turmoil. Then there's an appeal in the bridge for the listener to give into feelings of abandon, to trust in the chaos and uncontrollable nature of passions.


Overall, "Cement" is a song about confronting one's true self amid feelings of inferiority and inadequacy. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, self-acceptance, and embracing the chaotic side of emotions. The lyrics are deeply personal and create a sense of universality, with the disquieting apprehensions experienced by the singer feeling familiar to anyone struggling with self-doubt.


Line by Line Meaning

Press your fingers on it, igniting what you are
Touch it, awaken your true self


Meet me by the lake
Come, let's meet by the lake


I'm ripe with severed faith
I have lost my faith


You wear the only scar
You are the only one hurt by my actions


If I'm saint, then you're heaven My only
If I'm good, then you're perfect for me


If I'm a waste, then you're golden My only
If I'm worthless, then you're precious to me


If I'm a shame, then you're bolder than all of me If I'm a saint, then you're heaven My only
If I'm embarrassed, then you're brave for loving me. If I'm good, then you're perfect for me


Cement for all of our teeth I'll give you myself any day
We are stuck in this together. I'll always be available for you


Rest your body in it, set fire to your thoughts Let your arms down, throw your soul out There is no control
Relax and let go of your fears. Surrender everything to me. You don't have to be in charge


Spread your figure across Don't deny who you were Wear the skin that I stole Don't deny what you want
Expose yourself, be true to your past. Keep what I gave you, don't deny yourself of what you crave


If I am flawed, then you're perfect My only
If I'm imperfect, then you're flawless to me


If I'm a liar, then you're blameless My only
If I'm dishonest, then you're innocent to me


If I am hanging by a thread, then you're infinite If I'm a saint, then you're heaven My only
If I'm fragile, then you're strong. If I'm good, then you're perfect for me




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@runforcovertube

Citizen's new album 'As You Please' is out 10/6. Listen to "Jet", the first song on the album right here. https://youtu.be/RqIByGY5Ziw

@kevinjohnson5652

hmmm... sounds like Citizen with a little bit of Citizen

@myreezus3893

Holy shit, it does!

@chriss6951

Calling it now, this is going to be compared endlessly to Brand New

@deadbeat1

Chris S and rightly so. sounds like a Daisy outtake.

@Arian545

Chris S Because people got such a small frame of reference that they compare all music to 10 or so bands...

@jacksavage9835

Arian hmn Or because parts sound reasonably similar?

@Arian545

Jack Savage Maybe, but people has compared their early stuff to Brand New as well, even though it sound nothing like them.
And i still stand by my point, a modern with shoegaze elements? They sound like Whirr.. a band uses spoken word parts? They are like La Dispute. A band makes really long songs? They are just like Fucked Up

@joep3211

Arian hmn I saw some chick comparing The Mountain Goats to La Dispute the other day lol.

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@TWTNWmusic

Not what I was hoping for but I had a feeling they'd go this way! This is going to be a good record.

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