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Legalized Romance
Civil War Rust Lyrics
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Tried to fill the hole that you left rotting in my fucking chest.
Slumming around in the darkest of dive bars.
I never thought going down in flames would ever feel so great.
Everyday I lose just a little more faith and it's only getting better.
You'd be better off, so much better off with out me.
You'd be better off on your own.
I'll be kicking rocks down lonely roads.
My eyes are dilated and red enough to make some sense.
Strike a match and watch it burn.
I medicate to pass the time and then again to sleep at night.
I heard a voice in the back of my mind,
reminding me for the thousandth time,
I will only leave you waiting on me
The lyrics of Legalized Romance by Civil War Rust portray a sense of melancholy and desperation, with the singer reflecting on a failed relationship and the emptiness that remains. The first line suggests that the singer has been in similar situations before, walking away from other relationships for seemingly trivial reasons. The next line speaks to the lingering pain from the failed relationship; the hole that was left in their chest seems to be a physical manifestation of the emotional trauma that lingers.
The following lines describe the singer's current state: self-medicating and slumming around in dive bars. Despite the darkness of their current lifestyle, there seems to be a sense of catharsis in "going down in flames." The pre-chorus ("Everyday...on your own") suggests that the singer knows they are not good for their partner and that they would be better off without them. The chorus ("I'll be kicking rocks...waiting on me") suggests that the singer is resigned to being alone and wandering aimlessly.
The second verse ("We built our love...thousandth time") emphasizes the importance of trust in a relationship and the pain it causes when that trust is broken. The final lines of the song ("I will only leave you waiting on me") suggest that the relationship ultimately failed because of the singer's own faults or inability to commit. Overall, the lyrics of Legalized Romance paint a picture of someone struggling with the aftermath of a failed relationship and trying to find purpose in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked away from more and stuck it out for less.
I have left situations that were better and tried to make things work in situations that were worse.
Tried to fill the hole that you left rotting in my fucking chest.
I attempted to heal the emotional wound that you caused, but it only worsened over time.
Slumming around in the darkest of dive bars.
I am frequently spending time in seedy bars in order to forget my problems and pain.
I never thought going down in flames would ever feel so great.
I never imagined that intentionally causing my own downfall would provide relief and satisfaction.
Everyday I lose just a little more faith and it's only getting better.
Despite things seemingly improving, my belief in myself and the world is diminishing more every day.
You'd be better off, so much better off with out me.
I believe that you would be happier and better off without my presence in your life.
You'd be better off on your own.
You would thrive being independent and not having the burden of dealing with me and my issues.
I'll be kicking rocks down lonely roads.
I will be wandering aimlessly and feeling isolated.
We built our love on plots of trust.
Our relationship was established on a foundation of trust and honesty.
My eyes are dilated and red enough to make some sense.
I am intoxicated to the extent that my perception of reality is altered, but it oddly seems to provide clarity.
Strike a match and watch it burn.
I want to light a fire and witness its destruction for the sake of experiencing something powerful and cathartic.
I medicate to pass the time and then again to sleep at night.
I use substances to numb myself, both during the day to alleviate boredom and at night to fall asleep.
I heard a voice in the back of my mind, reminding me for the thousandth time, I will only leave you waiting on me
I am haunted by the thought that I will only disappoint you and cause you to wait on me, just as I have done many times before.
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.