The band has so far released two EPs ("Home of the Lame" in 2003 and "Habitat" in 2006) and two full lengths ("Here, of All Places" in 2005 and "Sing What You Know" in 2008).
Mirror Mirror
Home of the Lame Lyrics
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Why do we have to fall?
Standing in the bathroom light
With my headphones late at night.
The dull expression on my face
Is something I'd like to erase.
I'm listening, trying to get some signals
This urge to keep my feelings safe.
This need to keep all pain away.
I understand that they can be rocks in the way to the real me.
But I've burned my hands before.
Turned hyper-realist to the core.
I've learned a lesson there and I don't plan on burning them again.
I hope you understand.
I thought today I'd not be waiting.
There'd be no doubts nor hesitation.
Because I know which way to go.
The one I've chosen years ago.
Sometimes it seems that all my plans are merely bullshit in the end.
An easy way to fool myself.
To stifle my own cry for help.
Now there's way to much at stake.
This body needs to stay awake.
Walled in and looked out, walked around.
Can't help but run about.
Someone help me map this out.
So today I'll not be waiting.
There'll be no doubts nor hesitation.
Because I know which way to go.
The one I've chosen years ago.
I'm thrilled by all the things you give,
Still I know that they will only live so long after today.
Keep this piece of me with you.
Promise to nurture it,
Take care that the cat won't drag it away.
If you ask me I would stay.
I'm thrilled by all the things you give,
Still I know that they will only live so long after today.
Keep this piece of me with you.
Promise to nurture it.
Take care that the cat won't drag it away.
The taste of all those sleepness nights that I keep somewhere deep inside
Helps me make it through the days.
Keep this piece of me with you,
Promise to feed it and take care that the cat won't drag it away.
If you ask me I would stay.
The song "Mirror Mirror" by Home of the Lame is a personal exploration of the struggles and doubts that come hand-in-hand with a creative or introspective life. The lyrics are an introspective reflection on the singer's inability to fully access their emotions, and the ways in which they construct barriers to protect themselves from pain. The opening lines ("Mirror mirror on the wall, why do we have to fall? Standing in the bathroom light, with my headphones late at night") evoke a sense of isolation and loneliness, as the singer struggles to connect with others and with their own emotions. They find themselves trapped in a cycle of listening to others' experiences (in this case, their neighbors having sex) instead of feeling their own.
The chorus ("I'm thrilled by all the things you give, still I know that they will only live so long after today") suggests a sense of impermanence and transience, as the singer grapples with the fleeting nature of life and experience. They yearn for someone to understand and nurture the vulnerable parts of themselves ("Keep this piece of me with you, promise to feed it and take care that the cat won't drag it away"), but are afraid of being hurt or abandoned. In the end, the singer decides to take action and move forward ("So today I'll not be waiting, there'll be no doubts nor hesitation. Because I know which way to go"), but the song leaves a sense of uncertainty hanging in the air. The final lines ("If you ask me I would stay") suggest that the singer is still torn between the desire for connection and the fear of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Mirror mirror on the wall
Asking the mirror for true reflection of oneself
Why do we have to fall?
Questioning why hardships are a necessary part of life
Standing in the bathroom light
Being alone, vulnerable and exposed to scrutiny
With my headphones late at night.
Seeking solace in music while retreating from the world
The dull expression on my face
Being emotionless and blank
Is something I'd like to erase.
Wanting to remove the numbness and feel alive
I'm listening, trying to get some signals
Being receptive and searching for meaningful communication
But the only ones I get are of the neighbours having sex.
Feeling disconnected from others and only hearing superficial noises
This urge to keep my feelings safe.
Desiring to protect oneself from emotional harm and rejection
This need to keep all pain away.
Avoiding unpleasant emotions and experiences
I understand that they can be rocks in the way to the real me.
Recognising that emotional barriers hinder self-discovery
But I've burned my hands before.
Having experienced the consequences of one's actions
Turned hyper-realist to the core.
Becoming extremely rational and objective
I've learned a lesson there and I don't plan on burning them again.
Learning from past mistakes and avoiding future ones
I hope you understand.
Expressing the desire for others to comprehend one's perspective
I thought today I'd not be waiting.
Expecting to take action without hesitation
There'd be no doubts nor hesitation.
Having certainty and confidence in one's decisions
Because I know which way to go.
Being clear on one's direction and goals
The one I've chosen years ago.
Having made a decision long ago and sticking to it
Sometimes it seems that all my plans are merely bullshit in the end.
Feeling disillusioned and doubting the validity of one's goals
An easy way to fool myself.
Realising that one's aspirations may not be realistic
To stifle my own cry for help.
Suppressing one's vulnerability and need for assistance
Now there's way to much at stake.
Feeling immense pressure and responsibility
This body needs to stay awake.
Being physically and mentally exhausted but pushing on
Walled in and looked out, walked around.
Feeling trapped and observed by others while moving aimlessly
Can't help but run about.
Being restless and anxious
Someone help me map this out.
Desperately seeking guidance and direction
I'm thrilled by all the things you give,
Appreciating the present moment and the support of others
Still I know that they will only live so long after today.
Realising that everything is temporary and that nothing lasts forever
Keep this piece of me with you.
Asking someone to remember and cherish a part of oneself
Promise to nurture it,
Asking someone to take care of that part of oneself
Take care that the cat won't drag it away.
Metaphorically warning someone to protect that part of oneself from harm
If you ask me I would stay.
Expressing the desire to remain close to someone or something
The taste of all those sleepness nights that I keep somewhere deep inside
Feeling the weight and impact of past struggles and traumas
Helps me make it through the days.
Drawing strength from past experiences to cope with current challenges
Promise to feed it and take care that the cat won't drag it away.
Urging someone to preserve and maintain a part of oneself for the future
Contributed by Keira W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.