Smoulder
EMA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain′t no spell make it lesser
You make it public decision
Sage and mirrors we break up
So hold me closer now
We get older each day now
And we just smoulder
And we earn
So stone me to the ground
And we get older each day now
And we just smoulder
Where the flames went out
And we urn
And I get so upset now
And I get so ashamed
Stand up there stupid naked
Lost my diamond spine again
And I know it's why people do it
I know it′s just the game
But I can't
It's something deep inside me
I just can′t explain so
I staggered in the club
I staggered to the stage
It′s all the bright lights filled me up
With nothing, empty rage
And I wanna know what love is
I wanna trust for sure
If I forsake everything baby
Will you still be here?
The lyrics of EMA's song "Smoulder" convey a complex mix of emotions, and are open to various interpretations, as the words evoke a sense of loss, disillusionment, and hope. The opening lines, "Age makes contents a letter. Ain′t no spell make it lesser", suggest that time and experience inevitably erase the importance and intensity of certain things, but no amount of effort can diminish their impact on us. The following line, "You make it public decision. Sage and mirrors we break up," seems to imply that the singer acknowledges the power of public opinion, but also recognizes how easily it can be manipulated or obscured.
The chorus of the song, "So hold me closer now. We get older each day now. And we just smoulder. Where the flames went out. And we earn," plays with the idea of fire as a metaphor for passion, intensity, and energy. The repeated phrase "we get older each day now" reminds us of our impermanence and the brevity of our lives, while "we just smoulder" suggests a slow, fading flame that has not yet gone out completely. The final line, "And we earn," may be a nod to the concept of earned wisdom or knowledge, as the singer implies that despite the loss of fire, there is still value in the experience and insight they have gained.
The second verse of the song, "And I get so upset now. And I get so ashamed. Stand up there stupid naked. Lost my diamond spine again," reveals a more personal and vulnerable side of the singer. They feel exposed and weak, having lost something precious and valuable ("diamond spine"), and struggle to understand their own emotions. The lines "It's something deep inside me. I just can′t explain so," suggest that the singer may be grappling with a profound existential or spiritual crisis, one that defies easy explanation.
The final lines of the song, "And I wanna know what love is. I wanna trust for sure. If I forsake everything baby. Will you still be here?" express a deep longing for connection, love, and security, as the singer asks if it is possible to find someone who will stay by their side even if they abandon everything else. The sense of uncertainty and fear is palpable, as the singer seeks reassurance and a sense of grounding amidst all the chaos and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Age makes contents a letter
The passage of time changes the meaning and importance of what we write
Ain′t no spell make it lesser
No amount of magic or alteration can diminish the significance of what we communicate
You make it public decision
Choosing to share something makes it subject to evaluation and judgment from others
Sage and mirrors we break up
We separate from the knowledge and illusions that once shaped our perspectives
So hold me closer now
In the midst of aging and changing circumstances, seek human connection and intimacy
We get older each day now
We continue to age and move forward in time despite our desire for permanence
And we just smoulder
Our passions and desires may still exist, but they may have lost their intensity or inspiration
Where the flames went out
The intensity and spark that once fueled our emotions and actions has dissipated
And we earn
We accumulate and inherit experiences and knowledge as we lead our lives
So stone me to the ground
Even in the face of adversity and hardship, we must endure and persevere
And I get older each day now
The relentless passage of time impacts us all
And I just smoulder
Personal passion and desire may still exist, but they may be muted or unfulfilled
Where the flames went out
The intensity and spark that once fueled our emotions and actions has dissipated
And I urn
Despite the lack of fulfillment or meaning, we continue to yearn and long for something more
And I get so upset now
Feelings of frustration and disappointment arise in the face of unmet expectations and desires
And I get so ashamed
Our unfulfilled desires and unmet expectations may cause us to feel guilt or embarrassment
Stand up there stupid naked
Our vulnerabilities and flaws are exposed and on display for others to see
Lost my diamond spine again
We may feel weakened or compromised in the face of adversity or disappointment
And I know it's why people do it
The desire to feel validation and fulfillment drives us to seek love and trust
I know it's just the game
Our quest for love and trust is often fraught with uncertainty and risk
But I can't
Despite the challenges, we are unable to resist the pull of love and connection
It's something deep inside me
The desire for love and connection is an innate and integral part of our human nature
I just can't explain so
Our yearning for love and connection is beyond explanation or rationalization
I staggered in the club
In search of fulfillment and connection, we may venture into new or unfamiliar environments
I staggered to the stage
We may put ourselves in the spotlight or take risks to pursue our desires
It's all the bright lights filled me up
The promise and lure of love and connection can be enticing and all-consuming
With nothing, empty rage
Despite our efforts, we may feel unfulfilled and angry at the lack of connection or meaning in our lives
And I wanna know what love is
Our desire to understand and experience love and connection is powerful and universal
I wanna trust for sure
Trust is an essential component of love and connection, and we seek it eagerly
If I forsake everything baby
We may consider sacrificing and giving up everything in pursuit of love and connection
Will you still be here?
In the face of such sacrifice and risk, we seek reassurance and commitment from those we desire
Writer(s): Anderson Erika Michelle, Shackleford Leif
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.