Challenger
Falling Joys Lyrics
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baby starts crying as daddy walks in
what could she do?
baby's still part of him
Mary in the morning
forgot those warnings he started again
what could he do?
she sighs
I will not compromise
just to look good in your eyes
challenger
Mary's talking
nobody could understand the way you've hurt me
what you've turned into
I'm just a girl who loved you once
until I knew you
I will not compromise
just to look good in your eyes
challenger
And in this solitude
it's great to be unabused
challenger
The song "Challenger" by Falling Joys depicts a story of a woman named Mary who is in a toxic and abusive relationship. The opening lines set the scene of a tense household where the sound of the door slamming traumatises the baby, and Mary feels helpless as she is still bound to the abuser through their child. The lyrics suggest that Mary is aware of the warning signs of her partner's behaviour but is trapped in the cycle of abuse. The repetition of "Mary belongs to him, she sighs" emphasises the lack of control and autonomy she has in her own life.
As the song progresses, Mary tries to speak up and express the pain she's endured at the hands of the abuser. However, nobody seems to understand how deeply she's been affected. The chorus of "I will not compromise just to look good in your eyes" suggests an unwillingness to conform to societal norms or endure further mistreatment, even if it means sacrificing her relationship with the abuser.
The final lines of the song offer a sense of relief and liberation as Mary's perspectives shift towards embracing solitude and freedom from abuse. "And in this solitude, it's great to be unabused" portrays a newfound sense of strength and empowerment.
Overall, "Challenger" is a poignant commentary on the insidious nature of domestic violence and the emotional toll it can take on survivors.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary heard the door slam
Mary perceived the sound produced by the abrupt closing of the door
baby starts crying as daddy walks in
The infant initiated vocalizations of distress when the father appeared
what could she do?
Mary faced a difficult and problematic situation with no clear course of action
baby's still part of him
The infant is considered a product of the father's genetics and thus connected to him
Mary in the morning
Mary became the focal point of the narrative
forgot those warnings he started again
Mary failed to heed cautionary advice and he resumed damaging behavior
what could he do?
The male figure considered the situation with a perplexed and defeated mindset
Mary 'belongs to him'
The male character asserts ownership over Mary which implies domination and control
she sighs
Mary inwardly and involuntarily exhaled audibly
I will not compromise
The artist unambiguously states their unwillingness to sacrifice their principles
just to look good in your eyes
The purpose of behavior change should not be to gain external approval
challenger
The artist declares themselves to be a contender, opposing the dominant power
Mary's talking
The story returns to the point of view of Mary
nobody could understand the way you've hurt me
The pain inflicted by the male figure baffles those outside the situation
what you've turned into
The male figure's transformation into a toxic person is emphasized
I'm just a girl who loved you once
Mary's past affection for the male character is alluded to
until I knew you
Mary's perception of the male character changed based on experience
And in this solitude
The singer addresses how they experience isolation
it's great to be unabused
The lack of maltreatment is described as truly positive and ideal
challenger
The artist restates their oppositional stance, challenging the status quo
Writer(s): Suzie Higgie
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
blucat
on Amen (Divinity remix)
I mean the music is the right song, the lyrics are not from Amen.
blucat
on Amen (Divinity remix)
You have the wrong song. This is not Amen by the Falling Joys.