Emma
Flesh And Fell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We were together since we were five
She was so pretty, Emma was a star in everyone's eyes
And when she said she'd be a movie queen, nobody laughed
Her face like an angel, she could be anything

Emmaline, Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen, Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline, I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen

At seventeen we were wed, and I worked day and night to earn our daily bread
And every day Emma would go out searching for that play
That never ever came her way

And sometimes she'd come home and be so depressed
I'd hear her crying in the backroom and feel so distressed
And I'd remember back when she was five to the words which used to make Emmaline come alive, it was...

Emmaline, Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen, Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline, I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen

It was a cold and dark December night when I opened up the bedroom door
To find her lying still and cold upon the bed
A love letter lying on the bedroom floor

It read; "Darling I love you, but I just can't keep living on dreams no more
I've tried so hard not to leave you alone, but I just can't keep trying no more"

Overall Meaning

The song "Emma" by Flesh And Fell is a poignant story about a woman named Emma and her lifelong dream of becoming a movie star. The first verse introduces us to Emma as a young girl, whom everyone thought was beautiful and had a sparkle in her eyes that suggested she was meant for greater things. Emma herself believed that she would become a famous movie queen, and no one dared to scoff at her dreams. The chorus, repeated several times, underscores the singer's unwavering belief in Emma's potential and his determination to help her reach her goals.

The second verse is set seventeen years later when the singer and Emma are married. Although he works hard to provide for them both, Emma continues to struggle to find acting work, and her dream of a Hollywood career quickly fades away. She becomes depressed and starts crying in the backroom, which reminds the singer of the words that used to bring her joy - the very name "Emmaline." The final verse is a heart-wrenching revelation that Emma has committed suicide, unable to bear the burden of her shattered dream any longer. In a love letter left behind, she expresses her love for the singer and her inability to keep clinging to an impossible dream.

Line by Line Meaning

We were together since we were five
Our relationship began from the age of five.

She was so pretty, Emma was a star in everyone's eyes
Emma's beauty and charm were admired by all.

And when she said she'd be a movie queen, nobody laughed
Emma's aspiration to become a movie queen was taken seriously without any ridicule.

Her face like an angel, she could be anything
Emma's innocent appearance could make anyone envision her in any role.

Emmaline, Emma, Emmaline I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen, Emmaline Emma, Emmaline, I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen
Addressing Emma by her full name and nickname, the artist pledges to make her a renowned movie star with an unforgettable legacy.

At seventeen we were wed, and I worked day and night to earn our daily bread
The singer and Emma got married at a young age, and the singer worked hard to provide for them.

And every day Emma would go out searching for that play That never ever came her way
Emma persistently pursued a role in a play, but was never successful.

And sometimes she'd come home and be so depressed I'd hear her crying in the backroom and feel so distressed
Emma would feel deeply upset after a day of failed auditions which caused the artist to feel agitated and anxious as well.

And I'd remember back when she was five to the words which used to make Emmaline come alive, it was...
Reflecting on Emma's younger years when she had a vibrant spirit, the artist recalls the words that brought her joy in the hopes of cheering her up.

It was a cold and dark December night when I opened up the bedroom door To find her lying still and cold upon the bed A love letter lying on the bedroom floor It read; "Darling I love you, but I just can't keep living on dreams no more I've tried so hard not to leave you alone, but I just can't keep trying no more
The artist discovers Emma lifeless in bed with a love letter that explains her inability to continue the futile pursuit of her dreams, and her despair about leaving the artist alone despite previous efforts to persevere.

Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS