Meltdown
Danielle Haim/HAIM/Lorde/Pusha T/Q-Tip/Stromae Lyrics
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Life is like a costume party
Just cover the floors in Cavalli
Let's hide the hurt in a molly
We're all tryna be somebody else
You can't hide your tears in wealth
When your heart knows you hate yourself
Just the way that the card's been dealt
Cover up all that is passed
Drop an olive in your glass
Putting on a disguise
It's an ocular vice
Everyone on the run
Fifty feet all on the gas
Take him out, take him out
Gonna take him out
We're the only theory they can't prove
And we don't have anything to lose
In my eyes, in my ears, bring might
Love is only figured once in life
Tell the crowd, search the town
Can we make it out right now
It's a full meltdown
Try to break her spirit so it shouldn't be surprisin'
We're here with no fear and gave her uprising
Gonna blend in with the bullies and the bureaucrats
Arrows pierce like lightning, choppers sound like thunder clap
Never will you stand, we gon' lay you down
Dominant and dapper kids comin' in to take the town
Try to restrain us, even though you trained us
We're better than you are, now we're gonna make you feed us
Cover up all that is passed
Drop an olive in your glass
Putting on a disguise
It's an ocular vice
Everyone on the run
Fifty feet all on the gas
Take him out, take him out
Gonna take him out
We're all lookin' for status
Cristal sent over on gratis
Can't pretend we're not plastic
When these poker faces take practice
Who to trust? Who to love?
Who to run from? Who to hug?
Set fire to a government of thugs
Respect only comes from the money or your blood
We're out of sight, shadows of light
They're closing in and I know where we're goin'
But I don't know who I'll be
In my eyes, in my ears, bring might
Love is only figured once in life
Tell the crowd, search the town
Can we make it out right now
It's a full meltdown
(I can hear, and see a ghost)
Was it meant to be?
(In my mind, I know)
'Cause I can't see
(And if you keep, [?])
I can't see
(I'm your undertow)
The lyrics of Meltdown by HAIM, Lorde, Pusha T, Q-Tip, and Stromae provide a commentary on a society where people live their lives trying to be someone else. The song starts by comparing life to a costume party, where hiding the hurt with drugs and designer clothes is the norm. However, the reality of self-hate and the struggle to keep up the facade is all-consuming. The bridge highlights the existential crisis and the need for validation from society: "Who to trust? Who to love? Who to run from? Who to hug? Set fire to a government of thugs. Respect only comes from the money or your blood."
The chorus calls for action against this conformity, emphasizing the need to stand up against the oppressors who try to keep a person down. The lyrics "Try to break her spirit so it shouldn't be surprisin', we're here with no fear and gave her uprising" convey the message that one should not be afraid to rebel against the norms of society.
The final verse emphasizes the need for self-discovery in a society that tries to conform individuals. The line "But I don't know who I'll be" expresses the struggle of being oneself in a world that punishes people for it.
Overall, the song highlights the pressure to conform to societal norms, the struggle to accept oneself in that society, and the need to rebel against the oppressors who attempt to suppress individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is like a costume party
Life is a fun but temporary event where people assume different roles
Just cover the floors in Cavalli
Luxury is the only thing that matters
Let's hide the hurt in a molly
Let's address our issues by taking illegal drugs
We're all tryna be somebody else
Everyone is trying to be someone that they're not
You can't hide your tears in wealth
Money cannot solve all problems
When your heart knows you hate yourself
When you're internally struggling, materialistic things do not matter
It's all pain we felt
Everybody goes through pain at some point in their life
Just the way that the card's been dealt
Life is unpredictable and we do not have control over the cards we have been dealt with
Cover up all that is passed
Conceal everything in the past that does not fit the current image
Drop an olive in your glass
Make yourself believe that things are better when they are not
Putting on a disguise
Putting on a fake persona in public
It's an ocular vice
It is a temptation that is hard to resist
Everyone on the run
Everybody is running towards something they desire
Fifty feet all on the gas
Speeding ahead without caution
Take him out, take him out
Remove the competition by any means necessary
Gonna take him out
Determined to win at all costs
We're the only theory they can't prove
We're different and unpredictable
And we don't have anything to lose
Since everything is unpredictable, losing does not matter as much
In my eyes, in my ears, bring might
In my perception, I am powerful
Love is only figured once in life
Love is a one-time occurrence
Tell the crowd, search the town
Spread the message to people everywhere
Can we make it out right now
Challenges are difficult but we can overcome them
It's a full meltdown
Everything is falling apart
Try to break her spirit so it shouldn't be surprisin'
Trying to break someone down is expected
We're here with no fear and gave her uprising
Fear does not control us and we won't back down
Gonna blend in with the bullies and the bureaucrats
Being the same is easier and less risky than being unique
Arrows pierce like lightning, choppers sound like thunder clap
The pain is sharp and loud
Never will you stand, we gon' lay you down
You won't succeed while we are around
Dominant and dapper kids comin' in to take the town
Taking over and being the best
Try to restrain us, even though you trained us
Trying to hold us back even after being taught or trained
We're better than you are, now we're gonna make you feed us
We're superior and will force you to recognize it
We're all lookin' for status
Everyone is trying to have power and status
Cristal sent over on gratis
Luxury items are given for free to make someone feel important
Can't pretend we're not plastic
Hiding behind a fake and polished exterior
When these poker faces take practice
Pretending requires effort to consistently maintain the image
Who to trust? Who to love?
It is challenging to determine who to trust and love
Who to run from? Who to hug?
It's hard to differentiate who is worth staying away from or welcoming
Set fire to a government of thugs
Rebelling against a corrupt and oppressive government
Respect only comes from the money or your blood
You are only respected for the power you hold (either rich or related to the powerful)
In my eyes, in my ears, bring might
Creating the illusion that they are powerful
Love is only figured once in life
Love is fleeting
Tell the crowd, search the town
Spreading the message to everyone
Can we make it out right now
Challenges are difficult but we can overcome it
It's a full meltdown
Everything is falling apart
(I can hear, and see a ghost)
(Recognizing that our former self is gone)
Was it meant to be?
Questioning if things were always meant to happen this way
(In my mind, I know)
(We know what we want)
'Cause I can't see
(But we're stuck, unsure of where to go)
(And if you keep, [?])
(Feeling lost and confused)
I can't see
Unable to predict the future
(I'm your undertow)
(We're caught in the wave of chaos unfolding)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Ella Yelich O'Connor, Este Haim, Joel Little, John Fareed, Kamaal Ibn, Paul Van Haver, Terrence Thornton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind