Symbolic
Death Lyrics
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But I can't help myself
When I feel the vibe
And taste a memory
Of a time in life
When years seemed to stand still
I close my eyes
Relive the gift of precious memories
In need of a fix called innocence
When did it begin?
The change to come was undetectable
The open wounds expose the importance of
Our innocence
A high that can never be bought or sold
Symbolic acts, so vivid
Yet at the same time
Were invisible
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow
Do you remember when
Things seemed so eternal?
Heroes were so real...
Their magic frozen in time
The only way to learn
Is be aware and hold on tight
I close my eyes
And sink within myself
Relive the gift of precious memories
In need of a fix called innocence
When did it begin?
The change to come was undetectable
The open wounds expose the importance of
Our innocence
A high that can never be bought or sold
Symbolic acts, so vivid
Yet at the same time
Were invisible
The song "Symbolic" by Death is a reflection on nostalgia for a simpler time when life was innocent, carefree and filled with wonder. The lyrics open with the admission that the singer cannot help but dwell on memories of the past, especially when the vibe and sensations trigger those senses. He then goes on to describe how the memories of a time in his life when unadulterated innocence was prevalent comes flooding back, and the years can appear to stand still. The need for a fix of innocence is evident, and he relives the gift of those precious memories. The same memories that invoke feelings of loss, as it appears innocence is not something that can be regained once lost.
The middle section of the song then lays out the contours of the problem faced by the singer. The change to come is undetectable, and suddenly the symbols of innocence, representing a time when the world made sense, is lost. The open wounds that the loss of innocence creates expose the wounds in the world, and its importance. The symbolic acts are so vivid, yet barely visible, a mix of sentimentality and skepticism that warns us that the world has both magic and danger in equal measure. The only lesson we can take from it is that we must be aware and hold on tight to what we have left.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mean to dwell
I don't intend to get stuck in the past.
But I can't help myself
But I can't resist the urge to reminisce.
When I feel the vibe
When I get a certain feeling in my gut.
And taste a memory
And remember something from the past in a visceral way.
Of a time in life
Of a moment from earlier in my life.
When years seemed to stand still
When time seemed to move more slowly.
I close my eyes
I shut out the present.
And sink within myself
And focus completely on my own mind.
Relive the gift of precious memories
Experience once again moments from the past that are dear to me.
In need of a fix called innocence
Longing for the purity of youth.
When did it begin?
When did the change occur?
The change to come was undetectable
The coming alteration was impossible to foresee.
The open wounds expose the importance of
The shattered state reveals the value of.
Our innocence
Our naivety and innocence.
A high that can never be bought or sold
A feeling of euphoria that can't be purchased or exchanged.
Symbolic acts, so vivid
Metaphorical actions, so striking.
Yet at the same time
However, at the same time.
Were invisible
Were unnoticed.
Savor what you feel and what you see
Appreciate the emotions and sights you experience.
Things that may not seem important now
Things that may not have significance at present.
But may be tomorrow
But could be essential in the future.
Do you remember when
Can you recall those times when.
Things seemed so eternal?
Events appeared permanent.
Heroes were so real...
Role models were so vividly present.
Their magic frozen in time
Their greatness forever preserved in memory.
The only way to learn
The sole method of acquiring knowledge.
Is be aware and hold on tight
Is to stay alert and not let go.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHUCK SCHULDINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Death Metal Supply
Year: 1995
Country: USA
S̲y̲m̲b̲o̲l̲i̲c̲ ̲0:00 – 6:33
̲Z̲e̲r̲o̲ ̲T̲o̲l̲e̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲ ̲6:34 – 11:23
̲E̲m̲p̲t̲y̲ ̲W̲o̲r̲d̲s̲ ̲11:24 – 17:46
̲S̲a̲c̲r̲e̲d̲ ̲S̲e̲r̲e̲n̲i̲t̲y̲ ̲17:46 – 22:11
̲1̲,̲0̲0̲0̲ ̲E̲y̲e̲s̲ ̲22:12 – 26:41
̲W̲i̲t̲h̲o̲u̲t̲ ̲J̲u̲d̲g̲e̲m̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲26:42 – 32:10
̲C̲r̲y̲s̲t̲a̲l̲ ̲M̲o̲u̲n̲t̲a̲i̲n̲ ̲32:11 – 37:16
̲M̲i̲s̲a̲n̲t̲h̲r̲o̲p̲e̲ ̲37:17 – 42:21
̲P̲e̲r̲e̲n̲n̲i̲a̲l̲ ̲Q̲u̲e̲s̲t̲ ̲42:22 – 50:40
Death Metal Supply
Year: 1995
Country: USA
S̲y̲m̲b̲o̲l̲i̲c̲ ̲0:00 – 6:33
̲Z̲e̲r̲o̲ ̲T̲o̲l̲e̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲ ̲6:34 – 11:23
̲E̲m̲p̲t̲y̲ ̲W̲o̲r̲d̲s̲ ̲11:24 – 17:46
̲S̲a̲c̲r̲e̲d̲ ̲S̲e̲r̲e̲n̲i̲t̲y̲ ̲17:46 – 22:11
̲1̲,̲0̲0̲0̲ ̲E̲y̲e̲s̲ ̲22:12 – 26:41
̲W̲i̲t̲h̲o̲u̲t̲ ̲J̲u̲d̲g̲e̲m̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲26:42 – 32:10
̲C̲r̲y̲s̲t̲a̲l̲ ̲M̲o̲u̲n̲t̲a̲i̲n̲ ̲32:11 – 37:16
̲M̲i̲s̲a̲n̲t̲h̲r̲o̲p̲e̲ ̲37:17 – 42:21
̲P̲e̲r̲e̲n̲n̲i̲a̲l̲ ̲Q̲u̲e̲s̲t̲ ̲42:22 – 50:40
Jonathan Scheets
The best death metal album ever recorded, chuck was a musical genius, his death was a tremendous loss 😔
Correspondência Camarada
a curiosity is that Chuck didn't want this album to be classified as a death metal album
Gábor Márk Hardy
Agreed
vomitbath
@Correspondência Camaradawhat did he want it labeled as?
Victor S
No
Ancient Galaxy
i like the sound of preserverence more but this is amazing too
edit: intresting how in just 6 months my tastes have changed so much. Now my favourite death albums are human and ITP but i still love every album they made
astracax
Death has the most solid discography. You cannot go wrong with any album. I like how Chuck evolved the sound throughout the years. Starting with standard death metal and becoming more progressive up until The Sound of Perseverance. Human was my introduction and will always be my favourite, but I could put on any album and throughly enjoy it.
Kevin
I know alot of people don't like the more shrill sounding vocals on Symbolic, but the collection of songs here is just impeccable. 10 out of 10 masterpiece.
Brennan Fry
I love his vocals on this, it's visceral, it's emotional, it embodies the message he was portraying and coagulates beautifully with the masterful musicianship this album gives out.