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.
Pinball
In Flames Lyrics
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Conflict serum is my aura
It seems that life's so fragile
I guess I'll fly some other time
I lack from superhighway thoughts
Won't live as long as the city lights
Soaked by underwater times
Wish I could rape the day,
Just something radical
Lost the sense of sweet things
Who's gonna take me widely?
Guided by the pinball map
The driver, still unknown to me
Who was sent to glorify?
Before we injected this common pride
Sometimes I don't belong
Release me from your world
Pacified by the small things in life
I wait for earthquakes to rearrange
Never been able to use the force
I only have it read to me
Despite all the misguided faith
(Maybe) I'll find a place in this mess
Early morning moments
A glimpse of joy
But soon it's over and I return to dust
As I try to be
Everything and everyone
I waste away
The lyrics to In Flames's song Pinball are quite complex and can be interpreted in various ways. The song seems to revolve around the theme of the fragility of life and the singer's inability to find their place in it. The first verse talks about the singer's aim for a bright white day but they are surrounded by conflict serum, indicating the presence of negative energy around them. The singer then talks about life's fragility and how they feel like they'll fly another time, suggesting that they are not yet ready to face the challenges of life head-on.
The second verse talks about how the singer's thoughts are not as fast-paced as those of people in the superhighway. They also mention how they won't live as long as the city lights, indicating the fast-paced, short-lived nature of their surroundings, in contrast to a more peaceful and longer life. The third line of the second verse is quite cryptic, as the singer talks about being soaked in underwater times and experiencing an electric splash on a midnight drive. These lines could be interpreted as the singer's desire for a more thrilling and adventurous life, in contrast to their current one.
In the chorus, the singer expresses their desire to do something radical and shake things up, but they have lost their sense of sweet things, indicating that they are not sure what is right and what is wrong anymore. They then ask who is going to take them widely, indicating their desire to be taken to a place where they can find their purpose.
Overall, Pinball seems to be a song about a person who feels like they don't belong in the world around them and is searching for their place. They are dissatisfied with their surroundings and are looking for more adventure and excitement but are also aware of the fragility of life.
Line by Line Meaning
As I aim for that bright white day
Hope to reach a better future
Conflict serum is my aura
Trouble and strife are a part of me
It seems that life's so fragile
Life is delicate and can be lost easily
I guess I'll fly some other time
Not ready to face the challenges of life yet
I lack from superhighway thoughts
Don't have grand ambitions or plans
Won't live as long as the city lights
Life is short and fleeting
Soaked by underwater times
Feeling overwhelmed and submerged by difficult times
Electric splash on a midnight drive
Exciting moments in life, even in the dark
Wish I could rape the day,
Wish to have complete control over life
Just something radical
Seeking extreme change
Lost the sense of sweet things
Unable to fully appreciate the joys of life
Who's gonna take me widely?
Looking for someone to show me the world
Guided by the pinball map
Navigating life's twists and turns
The driver, still unknown to me
Uncertainty about the future
Who was sent to glorify?
Questioning the motivations of those in power
Before we injected this common pride
Thinking about a time before societal pressure to conform
Sometimes I don't belong
Feeling out of place in the world
Release me from your world
Desire to escape from the expectations of society
Pacified by the small things in life
Finding peace in simple pleasures
I wait for earthquakes to rearrange
Hoping for major changes that will shake up my life
Never been able to use the force
Lacking personal power or ability to change things
I only have it read to me
Relying on others to tell me how things are
Despite all the misguided faith
Despite being misled and disappointed
(Maybe) I'll find a place in this mess
Holding onto hope for finding a sense of belonging
Early morning moments
Brief moments of happiness
A glimpse of joy
Brief moments of happiness
But soon it's over and I return to dust
Happiness is fleeting and temporary
As I try to be
Attempting to live up to expectations
Everything and everyone
Trying to please everyone and be everything at once
I waste away
Feeling unfulfilled and losing oneself in the process
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind