Under the Knife
Icon for Hire Lyrics


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This is the song I'm too scared to write
But some of you may need it tonight

Oh there you were, heart made of glass
Fragile little thing, shattered too fast
Tried to pick the pieces up up up
And that's the way you first got cut cut cut
Devil drew you in, you didn't let it show
Didn't want the others to ever have to know
That you were getting hooked on up up up
And all you had to do was cut cut cut

You carved a special place for your pain
So it came back to hurt you every night
You closed your eyes and wished it all away
Until you disappeared under the knife

You knew the deal, no one gives a damn
Just another needy kid, sob story in hand
Keep your secrets covered up up up
We don't need another cut cut cut
But you couldn't hide a heart made of glass
You put yourself together with all the strength you had
You were finally fed up up up
Finally had to scream enough

You carved a special place for your pain
So it came back to hurt you every night
You closed your eyes and wished it all away
Until you disappeared under the knife

Listen- I know it's simplified from the other side
It's easy to gloss over all the messy reasons why
And it's easy to forget where you've been
I guess that's what the scars are for, huh?
When we were 15 we wouldn't dare let that shit be seen
But now it seems mutalation's gone mainstream
I see you at my shows, scarred up from head to toe
Like there's no point even trying not to let it show
Cause we all know, emo kids like to hurt themselves
Too many feelings and not enough self control
And I mean, does this mess any of the rest of you
It's an epidemic and we're cool with it, don't question it
But it bothers me, our scars are currency by which we're measured
Like let the record show who let it slip and who held it together
Cutters and burners and honorable mentions
Posers who still cut themselves up for the attention

I don't care your intentions, I just want you to know
My self-hatred never took me where I wanted to go
And at the end of the day, you know I still had to face
That I can pick at the pain, but can't cut it away
And you know what else I can't do is give you ten good reasons not to
I've racked my brain for clever sayings of all the things you ought to do
But you know, I think if there was something I could say
They'd have thrown it on a brochure- and sent you on your way
So I'll keep doing what I always do: drag my heart to the piano and make it sing for you
I'll keep doing what I always do: drag my heart to the piano and let it sing for you





Drag my heart to the piano and let it sing for you

Overall Meaning

The song, Under the Knife by Icon for Hire, is a powerful and emotional ballad that sheds light on the struggles of self-harm and the pain behind it. The lyrics describe the heartache of someone with a fragile heart like glass that has been shattered too many times. They seek solace in self-harm, creating a special place for their pain. The pain becomes overwhelming, and they eventually disappear under the knife. The song recognizes the severity of self-harm and how it can become an addiction.


The lyrics also touch on the topic of judgment and how society views those who struggle with self-harm. The writer points out that society is too quick to judge and label individuals who are dealing with these issues. They go on about how there's a misconception that people who harm themselves are simply attention seekers, but the song expresses that it's essential to remember that this is a serious issue that requires compassion and empathy.


The powerful lyrics of Under the Knife by Icon for Hire has become an anthem for those struggling with self-harm, and it's a reminder to society to be more compassionate towards those in pain.


Line by Line Meaning

This is the song I'm too scared to write
The artist is admitting their fear of writing a song discussing a sensitive topic. They also acknowledge that the song may be necessary for some listeners.


Oh there you were, heart made of glass
The person being addressed is identified as someone with a delicate emotional state that is easily broken.


Fragile little thing, shattered too fast
The fragility of the person and their emotional state is emphasized. The singer acknowledges that the person's shattering was not their fault.


Tried to pick the pieces up up up
The person made an attempt to recover from their emotional pain.


And that's the way you first got cut cut cut
Despite their attempts to recover, the person was left with emotional scars as a result of their experience.


Devil drew you in, you didn't let it show
The person was struggling with internal demons that were not easily visible to others.


Didn't want the others to ever have to know
The person made an effort to hide their struggles from others, possibly out of shame or fear of judgment.


That you were getting hooked on up up up
The person was becoming addicted to a harmful coping mechanism.


And all you had to do was cut cut cut
The addiction was to self-harm, specifically cutting.


You carved a special place for your pain
The person found a way to purposefully inflict pain on themselves as a way of coping with emotional pain.


So it came back to hurt you every night
The person's self-harm habit became a cycle that perpetuated their emotional pain, making it difficult to escape.


You closed your eyes and wished it all away
The person was struggling to escape their emotional pain and sought refuge in dissociation.


Until you disappeared under the knife
The person found that self-harm was not an effective solution to their pain and instead became trapped in their own destructive cycle.


Listen- I know it's simplified from the other side
The artist is acknowledging that it may be difficult for others to understand the complexity of self-harm and addiction from an outside perspective.


It's easy to gloss over all the messy reasons why
The artist recognizes that it can be tempting to oversimplify the reasons behind a person's self-harm habit.


And it's easy to forget where you've been
It can be difficult to remember what it's like to experience the emotional turmoil that drives a person to self-harm once you've moved past that stage in your life.


When we were 15 we wouldn't dare let that shit be seen
Stigma surrounding mental health and self-harm can make it difficult for young people to seek help or share their struggles with others.


But now it seems mutalation's gone mainstream
The artist is commenting on the fact that self-harm has become more visible in the media and in popular culture.


I see you at my shows, scarred up from head to toe
The artist is speaking directly to fans who may be struggling with self-harm and acknowledging that it is a common issue.


Like there's no point even trying not to let it show
The artist acknowledges that hiding self-harm can feel futile and that it can be difficult to go against the urge to self-harm.


Cause we all know, emo kids like to hurt themselves
The artist is referencing the stereotype that people who dress in a certain style or listen to certain music are more likely to self-harm.


Too many feelings and not enough self control
The artist suggests that emotional intensity can be a contributing factor to self-harm and that it can be difficult to regulate emotions in a healthy way.


And I mean, does this mess any of the rest of you
The artist is questioning whether others are bothered by the normalization of self-harm and the stereotypes surrounding it.


It's an epidemic and we're cool with it, don't question it
The artist is criticizing the apathy and lack of concern surrounding the issue of self-harm among young people.


But it bothers me, our scars are currency by which we're measured
The artist is critical of the societal pressure to prove one's emotional pain through visible scars and is disturbed by the fact that people may feel the need to harm themselves in order to be taken seriously.


Like let the record show who let it slip and who held it together
The artist is commenting on the idea that emotional distress can be seen as either a weakness or a strength depending on how a person handles it.


Cutters and burners and honorable mentions
The artist is referencing different methods of self-harm and acknowledging that it takes many forms.


Posers who still cut themselves up for the attention
The artist is commenting on the idea that some people may self-harm for attention rather than as a genuine coping mechanism.


I don't care your intentions, I just want you to know
The artist is emphasizing that regardless of a person's motivations for self-harming, it is a harmful behavior that deserves attention and care.


My self-hatred never took me where I wanted to go
The artist is sharing personal experience to underscore the fact that self-harm is not an effective or healthy coping mechanism, even though it may feel like the only option in the moment.


And at the end of the day, you know I still had to face
The artist is emphasizing that even though self-harm may provide temporary relief, it does not ultimately solve the underlying issue that is causing the emotional pain.


That I can pick at the pain, but can't cut it away
The artist is acknowledging that while they can try to cope with their emotional pain, they can't simply cut it out of their life.


And you know what else I can't do is give you ten good reasons not to
The artist is acknowledging that there is no easy solution to self-harm and that it may be difficult for a person to stop once they've started.


I've racked my brain for clever sayings of all the things you ought to do
The artist is acknowledging that sometimes people may try to help a person who self-harms by giving them advice, but that advice is not always helpful.


But you know, I think if there was something I could say
Despite the difficulty of finding helpful solutions, the artist still wants to try to offer hope or support to those who are struggling with self-harm.


They'd have thrown it on a brochure- and sent you on your way
The artist is recognizing that there are many resources available to people who self-harm, but that these resources are often reduced to simple slogans or messages that may not address the individual's unique situation.


So I'll keep doing what I always do: drag my heart to the piano and make it sing for you
The artist is promising to continue using their music as a way to connect with and support others who may be struggling with self-harm or other emotional issues.


I'll keep doing what I always do: drag my heart to the piano and let it sing for you
The artist reiterates their commitment to creating music that is honest, heartfelt, and speaks to the experiences of those who may be struggling with self-harm or other emotional issues.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Shawn Jump, Amy Jump

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jacquessteenkamp7218

Writing really helps! i started writing poems a few years ago to deal with my emotions and it really helps. And at first it was really tough to share these pieces of writing with anyone. When i finally did the reaction was overwhelming... People who were close to me who i asked to read these poems..well some said i should go see a proffesional for help... and the others finally figured out that i was unhappy and at that point i could actually move on and for a while i couldnt write.. i had no reason. Until i went through a rather tough weekend last week and then i wrote my second piece of this year. It may have been sorrow that lead me to write this piece..but the most common way it has been described has been "beautiful". Because those who cannot express themselves in a way that allows others to feel your emotion..well i feel like they get a bit jealous....

i think im rambling on here >_<
Basically. write some stuff, get some of that stuff out of your head. Let your heart tell its story and I am sure something amazing will come out of it.

Best of luck to you Nicole.

P.S
im always open to talk about anything and would not mind any questions so please, feel free :)

- Jacques



@user-is1om7bp8w

My 27 year old daughter showed me, the drug in me and then she showed me the reimagined.
And she showed me, I'm not a vampire, and then she showed me the revamped.
I loved it! So I checked cut your other songs/videos.
I grew up listening to 1960s & 1970s music.
In the 1990s I fell in love with the grunge movement. Narvana, Alice in chains, Soundgarden, STP, Pearl Jam.
The last concert I attended was with my daughter, it was right before COVID.
We saw Breaking Benjamin, 3 days grace & Chevelle. It was pretty good.
I have fallen in love with Falling in Reverse!
Thank you for your music and awesome videos!



@brook8592

last year i selfharmed up until january after dealing with depression for a few years.
i didnt know what was go8ng on in my head and i was terrified i was going crazy.
songs like this helped me find my way out and now im getting help for my anxiety and depression.
kids on school will smirk and ask what the scars on my arms are from.
other kids will say its just for attention.
they tell me that i did it just to fot in with emo, and think i still do it because i am still "emo"
they dont understand that it stems from something deeper.
so all i can do in retaliation is keep beong me and acknowledging where ive been and what ive done and note that it doesnt dictate my future. to anyone selfharming, it doesnt make it better.
to anyone scared to get help,
it doesnt mean youre weak. it means that its just some thing you cant handle alone, which is perfectly normal.
i promise it will get better. im not saying that because ive reached better, but because it has to.
i have a long way to go before i am okay again, but that doesnt mean it will never be okay again.



All comments from YouTube:

@ingerfie291

This must be the only song about self harm that is not pitiful but honest. That is why I love Ariel, she makes the kind of songs that really hit you

@stealth_meister4939

This is one of select few songs that hit me every. single. time.

@arie7685

Everytime I listen to this song I get REALLY emotional. And it's true what she says

@arie7685

@@stealth_meister4939 same

@benjaminlloyddvanwyk940

True but not for other people

@ftes2561

Icon For Hire are the best composing this type of lyrics... This song makes its own way through me, going directly into my heart.

15 More Replies...

@agentarachnid2009

Most People always say these sort of songs are depressing but those who need them find them full of hope and those who dont need them find them emotional and thought provoking. Thank you Ariel

@ameliab324

Some songs like that are depressing and some are not. It all depends on how you decide to present some topics.

@cirius7019

I always admired how she acknowledged that self harm becomes an addiction. So many things I've heard is always "Just stop 🙃" But it seriously becomes an addiction. It's not as easy as "just stop" It's a process and she's one of the only artists I've heard who talks about that.

@rainatmidnight

She used to self harm in high school, that's why she knows how it feels

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