Teardrop
Elizabeth Fraser; Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love is a doing word
Feathers on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Feathers on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Night, night after day
Black flowers blossom
Feathers on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Feathers on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Feathers on my
Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Feathers on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Feathers on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Feathers on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Feathers on my breath
You're stumbling in the dark
You're stumbling in the dark
"Teardrop" is a significant song that delves deep into emotions and feelings of love, loss, and vulnerability. The lyrics of the song speak to the complexities of love, the challenges it poses and the experiences of being in love and then losing it. The phrase "Love is a verb, love is a doing word" is a reminder that love is something that requires action and commitment, it isn't just a feeling. The line "Feathers on my breath, gentle impulsion, shakes me, makes me lighter" seems to convey the lightness of being in love, the feeling of being swept away and lifted up.
The song also touches on the theme of death, as evidenced by the phrase "Teardrop on the fire". The image of a tear falling onto a fire can be interpreted as an expression of grief or sorrow. The line "Black flowers blossom, feathers on my breath" can be seen as an indication of mourning and the coming to terms with loss.
"Water is my eye, most faithful mirror" is an intriguing phrase that can be interpreted in various ways. It could refer to crying as tears blur our vision, symbolizing the emotional turmoil one goes through when in love. On the other hand, it could also refer to the idea that water reflects our true selves, both physically and emotionally.
The repetition of "Feathers on my breath" throughout the song seems to convey the idea of lightness and the fleeting nature of love. Overall, the lyrics of "Teardrop" are deep and thought-provoking, evoking a range of emotions and experiences related to love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love is a verb
Love is not just a feeling, it is an action that requires doing something.
Love is a doing word
Love is not passive, but an active force that requires effort and action.
Feathers on my breath
The singer's breath is light and airy, symbolized by feathers.
Gentle impulsion
Soft but powerful force that moves or guides the singer's emotions.
Shakes me, makes me lighter
The impulsion creates a feeling of weightlessness in the singer, a release from heavy emotions.
Teardrop on the fire
A teardrop represents a confession, released emotions, and the fire is the place where they are burned away.
Night, night after day
The darkness of night represents sadness or depression after the light of day.
Black flowers blossom
Despite the darkness, there is still beauty that can arise, symbolized by black flowers.
Water is my eye
The singer's tears are like a never-ending well of emotions, symbolized by water.
Most faithful mirror
The singer's reflection in their tears is the truest representation of their emotions.
Of a confession
The teardrop represents the confession of emotions that is mirrored in the singer's tears.
You're stumbling in the dark
The listener is lost in sadness or confusion, unable to find their way out of the darkness.
You're stumbling in the dark
This line is repeated to emphasize the listener's sense of being lost and struggling to find a way forward.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elizabeth Fraser, Robert Del Naja, Grantley Marshall, Andrew Vowles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sofianoiti
Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath
Night, night after day
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my...
Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Fearless on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath
You stumble in the dark
You stumble in the dark
@turkishairlines1943
Geoffrey Ringham
Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath
Night, night after day
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my...
Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Fearless on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath
You stumble in the dark
You stumble in the dark
@sminkyminky
That composition is so perfectly controlled and executed, it gives the listener an incredible sense of anticipation and anxiety. Liz Fraser vocal delivery is almost ethereal.
@phlypped
And be thankful the other didn’t get to sing it. This is for Liz they said
@andydudley1775
@R230Tuner madonna was going to be chosen .
@jasl7358
I think schminkyminky would sound better
@Dimes329
Almost
@MrJDOaktown
Liz Fraser is never "almost" ethereal
@srsdlts85
Phenomenal.Teardrop is one of those songs that you want to hear forever and ever until eternity.
@maximilliancunningham6091
Or to be the last thing, you ever hear, in this world, as you depart.
@samermazahreh
this is the first time a song performed live sounds better than the original recording, unbelievable base, eternal tune
@cheechforprez
To be fair the late 80's/early 90's were awash with talent. We didn't realise it because we thought it'd always be like that. I know the CT were earlier but there was a mashup from the 80's to the 90's that was just perfect, punk mixed with dub, house mixed with inidie, indie mixed with rock. I'd never give up growing up during those years