During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.
I The Mask
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're further off with every passing second
I will follow anyone that brings me to you
But the sense of time is catching up with me
Will you see me if I set fire to the sky?
If I act like I'm untouchable and golden?
Wonder when I'll hit the ground
Wasting what is mine
For a voice that's calling
Who am I?
So many faces, dressed in rags for all to see
Here I am in the mask
The Jester that wants to be free
I am done with watching graves grow mould
The sins are mine, I believe them to be
All the tears, they're draining me
We find the truth through tragedy
Give me a sign, I'm on my knees
Feel like you've forgotten me
Who am I?
So many faces, dressed in rags for all to see
Here I am in the mask
The Jester that wants to be free
How could you leave me behind?
I'm tired, and I felt it for sometime
I can't take this much longer
I'm stuck in a downward spiral
I'm stuck in a downward spiral
I'm stuck in a downward spiral
All the tears, they're draining me
We find the truth through tragedy
Give me a sign, give me a sign
Who am I?
So many faces, dressed in rags for all to see
Here I am, in the mask
The Jester that wants to be free
Will you see me if I set fire to the sky?
Will you see me if I set fire to the sky?
The lyrics of "I The Mask" by In Flames depict a sense of longing, desperation, and a search for identity. The singer is struggling to find their place in the world and seeks a connection with someone or something that can guide them. The opening lines suggest a lack of clarity and growing distance from their desired destination. They are willing to follow anyone who can lead them closer, but time is always catching up, creating a sense of urgency.
The chorus poses the question of identity, with the singer questioning who they truly are amidst a multitude of personas and disguises. They feel like a jester trapped by their own mask, longing for freedom and authenticity. The repetition of the question emphasizes their search for self, as they desperately want to be seen and known for who they really are.
The second verse reflects a desire to break free from the confines of the past. The singer feels burdened by their mistakes and regrets, taking ownership of their sins. The tears symbolize the emotional toll these burdens have taken, and the search for truth is found through the pain and tragedy they have experienced.
The bridge reveals a plea for acknowledgement and a sign from someone they have desperately been waiting for. The singer feels forgotten and abandoned, questioning why they have been left behind. They express exhaustion and a sense of being trapped in a downward spiral, longing for release from their current predicament.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the question of whether their actions, even if extreme, will finally make them visible and heard by those they long to connect with.
Line by Line Meaning
From here, I can hardly see a thing
My vision is obscured and I struggle to perceive my surroundings
We're further off with every passing second
With the passage of time, we are distancing ourselves
I will follow anyone that brings me to you
I am willing to follow anyone who can lead me to you
But the sense of time is catching up with me
However, the awareness of time is catching up to me
Will you see me if I set fire to the sky?
If I create a spectacle by setting the sky ablaze, will you finally notice me?
If I act like I'm untouchable and golden?
If I portray myself as invincible and radiant with success?
Wonder when I'll hit the ground
I wonder when I will face the consequences of my actions
Been to space, but I am falling
I have achieved great heights, yet I am still plummeting downward
Wasting what is mine
I am squandering what belongs to me
For a voice that's calling
In exchange for the beckoning of a voice
Who am I?
I question my true identity
So many faces, dressed in rags for all to see
I present various personas, each appearing destitute for everyone to witness
Here I am in the mask
I exist behind a facade
The Jester that wants to be free
A playful clown yearning for liberation
I am done with watching graves grow mould
I am tired of witnessing decay in burial sites
The sins are mine, I believe them to be
I take responsibility for my own transgressions, acknowledging their existence
All the tears, they're draining me
The constant sorrow is depleting my energy
We find the truth through tragedy
Truth often reveals itself in the midst of tragedy
Give me a sign, I'm on my knees
I plea for a sign of hope, humbled and desperate
Feel like you've forgotten me
I perceive as if you have abandoned or forsaken me
How could you leave me behind?
Why have you forsaken me and left me in the past?
I'm tired, and I felt it for sometime
I am weary, and I have been feeling this exhaustion for a while
I can't take this much longer
I am reaching my breaking point and cannot endure this anymore
I'm stuck in a downward spiral
I am trapped in a continuous descent, unable to escape
Give me a sign, give me a sign
Please provide me with a clear indication or message
Here I am, in the mask
Once again, I exist behind a facade
The Jester that wants to be free
A playful clown desperately seeking liberation
Will you see me if I set fire to the sky?
If I ignite the sky in flames, will you finally acknowledge my existence?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anders Friden, Bjorn Gelotte, Howard Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nik-wi4rr
Jesus christ. I'm 31 and thought I was a teenager again. In Flames started me down my metalhead path.
This is just like the In Flames I remember, but it's grown up.
I'm all warm and fuzzy inside now.
@yungwaco
SAME
@ehsanika9361
me too
@gustavosanchez1146
34... Not quite there yet. But a serious step towards it for sure
@jaydeathcore8707
@@gustavosanchez1146 je suis français du Québec pis j'aime le métal mon album préféré clayman just beautiful
@ChuckBeefOG
Same. I am 29 and IF taught me that metal was not scary and annoying but fucking amazing. Its all i listen to these days.
@B1smarkk
Common guys, you gotta perform this masterpiece live...
@bambifrancescoMJ94
absolutely!
@nensha5084
Anders can't sing that's why. Watch them perform I Am Above live, he covers up like 50% of that chorus by screaming. This song's chorus stinks of pitch correction, but it's still hella good and catchy so idc lol
@tomanders1
It wouldn't be good lol. This song fucking rips, but dude just can't belt it out like this.