Revolver
Isobel Campbell feat. Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't feel like nothing.
Like walking away,
Like a mouth full of rain.
At twelve o'clock
The bell starts ringing,
A dog starts barking
Still missing something
You've never known what it was.
And I'm not one for thinking twice,
But I know this much is true.
The earth will turn, the pot'll burn
And you are my revolver.
Just waking up,
Some dogs start barking,
A bell starts ringing
And you're still missing.
And after all,
Don't you feel like nothing.
Like walking away
Like a mouth full of rain.
I'm holding on
'Cause you're my revolver
And I dreamed of ending
And flying away...
The lyrics of Isobel Campbell feat. Mark Lanegan's song Revolver seem to be a depiction of someone caught in a state of confusion, feeling lost and incomplete. The singer suggests that despite everything they do or have, they still feel like they are missing something fundamental. The imagery of a Bell ringing, a dog barking, and of rain in the mouth, evokes a sense of discomfort, pain, and disorientation. Yet, amidst all this, there seems to be a hope of finding solace in the form of another person (the 'revolver') - someone around whom they can center their life.
The second verse hints at a desire to escape, but the singer seems to be pulled back into reality by their clinging onto the idea of the other person as their 'revolver'. This notion of a partner being a source of comfort and strength, as well as a weapon, is interesting and suggests a complex layering of emotions at play within the singer.
Overall, the song Revolver speaks to the universal human condition of seeking meaning and completeness in the face of overwhelming confusion and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Now after all,
After all that has happened, now
Don't feel like nothing.
You don't feel like you're worth nothing or have no purpose.
Like walking away,
Like wanting to leave and not deal with a situation anymore.
Like a mouth full of rain.
Feeling overwhelmed, like how rain fills one's mouth.
At twelve o'clock
At the noon hour.
The bell starts ringing,
A clock tower or church bell (metaphorically) reminds you of the passage of time.
A dog starts barking
A dog (metaphorically) speaks to you, perhaps warning you or telling you something.
And you're still missing.
You're still missing something important or meaningful.
Still missing something
You continue to lack something in your life.
You've never known what it was.
Despite realizing that you're missing something, you have never been able to figure out what it is.
And I'm not one for thinking twice,
I'm not someone who overthinks a situation or decision.
But I know this much is true.
Despite not overthinking, I am certain of this statement's truthfulness.
The earth will turn, the pot'll burn
Life moves forward with or without you, and some things are simply inevitable.
And you are my revolver.
You are my source of protection or comfort; the revolver metaphorically represents a form of defence or reassurance.
Just waking up,
Waking up from sleep and starting the day.
Some dogs start barking,
As if to remind you of something impending.
A bell starts ringing
Another reminder of the passage of time.
And you're still missing.
You continue to feel that you lack something of importance.
And after all,
Despite everything that has happened.
Don't you feel like nothing.
You might feel insignificant or unimportant.
Like walking away
Like abandoning the situation or people in your life.
I'm holding on
I'm still determined to persevere.
'Cause you're my revolver
Because I rely on you for comfort, reassurance, or protection.
And I dreamed of ending
I often fantasize about quitting or ending things.
And flying away...
Escaping or leaving your problems behind by flying away.
Writer(s): Mark Lanegan
Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.