Dark Times
Ed Sheeran; The Weeknd Lyrics


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Waking up, half past five
Blood on pillow and one bruised eye
Drunk too much, you know what I'm like
But you should've seen the other guy

This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with me
Baby I'm just being honest
And I know my lies could not make you believe
We're running in circles that's why

In my dark times I'll be going back to the street
Promising everything I do not mean
In my dark times, baby this is all I could be
Don't think my mother could love me for me
In my dark times, in my dark times

Light one up, let me bum a smoke
Still calming down, dripping throat
I got another man's blood on my clothes
But an endless fog's the life I chose

This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with me
Baby I'm just being honest
And I know my lies could not make you believe
Running in circles that's why

In my dark times I'll be going back to the street
Promising everything I do not mean
In my dark times, baby this is all I could be
Only my mother could love me for me
In my dark times, in my dark times

In my dark times I've still got some problems I know
Driving too fast but just moving to slow
And I've got something I've been trying to let go
Pulling me back every time

In my dark times taking it back to the street
Making those promises that I could not keep
In my dark times, baby this is all I could be
Only my mother could love me for me
In my dark times taking it down to the street
Making those promises that I would not keep
In my dark times this is all I could be
Only my mother could of loved me for me




In my dark times, in my dark times
In my dark times

Overall Meaning

The Weeknd's song 'Dark Times' tells a story of a person who is struggling with their inner demons and the consequences that come along with it. The lyrics indicate a time of turmoil and possibly addiction, as the person wakes up with a bruised eye and blood on their pillow. The opening lyrics, "Waking up, half past five, blood on pillow and one bruised eye, drunk too much, you know what I'm like, but you should've seen the other guy" paint a somber picture of a person who is in a dark place and not sure how to get out.


The chorus of the song further emphasizes this feeling of despair, as the person admits that this isn't the right time for anyone to fall in love with them. They acknowledge that they are running in circles and can't seem to break free from their struggles. The lyrics, "In my dark times I'll be going back to the street, promising everything I do not mean, in my dark times, baby this is all I could be, don't think my mother could love me for me" indicate that the person is aware of their behavior and the negative impact it might have on those around them.


As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal that the person is trying to cope with their problems by smoking and drinking, but they realize that these are just temporary solutions that won't solve anything. The verse, "Light one up, let me bum a smoke, still calming down, dripping throat, I got another man's blood on my clothes, but an endless fog's the life I chose" highlights the fact that the person is aware of the choices they're making but feels trapped and helpless.


Overall, 'Dark Times' is a song about a person struggling with addiction and the impact it has on their life and relationships. The lyrics are raw and honest, and highlight the challenges that come with trying to overcome our own demons.


Line by Line Meaning

Waking up, half past five
Starting the day early in the morning


Blood on pillow and one bruised eye
Evidence of a physical fight the night before


Drunk too much, you know what I'm like
Admitting to having a drinking problem


But you should've seen the other guy
Hinting at being involved in a fight


This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with me
Warning the listener that now is not the best time to start a relationship


Baby I'm just being honest
Acknowledging the truth of the situation


And I know my lies could not make you believe
Admitting that lying is not worth it


We're running in circles that's why
Acknowledging that the relationship is not going anywhere


In my dark times I'll be going back to the street
Implying the artist will return to a life of crime


Promising everything I do not mean
Admitting to making empty promises


Baby this is all I could be
Acknowledging that this is the singer's true nature


Don't think my mother could love me for me
Expressing a lack of self-worth


Light one up, let me bum a smoke
Asking for a cigarette


Still calming down, dripping throat
Recovering from the physical altercation


I got another man's blood on my clothes
Further evidence of fighting or violence


But an endless fog's the life I chose
Acknowledging that the artist has made poor life choices


In my dark times I've still got some problems I know
Admitting to ongoing issues


Driving too fast but just moving to slow
Feeling stuck or trapped


And I've got something I've been trying to let go
Struggling to move on from a past trauma or emotional pain


Pulling me back every time
Feeling like a problem or issue keeps resurfacing


Making those promises that I could not keep
Acknowledging past failures and mistakes


Only my mother could love me for me
Expressing a belief that only unconditional love exists in the world


In my dark times taking it down to the street
Reiterating a return to a life of crime or violence


In my dark times this is all I could be
Acknowledging that the artist's actions are a product of their environment


Only my mother could of loved me for me
Repeating the belief that only a mother's love is unconditional


In my dark times, in my dark times
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the impact of such times on the singer's life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JASON QUENNEVILLE, EDWARD CHRISTOPHER SHEERAN, ABEL TESFAYE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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