City Of Angels
Jared Leto Thirty Seconds To Mars Lyrics


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There was truth
There was consequence
Against you, a weak defense
Then there's me, I'm seventeen
Looking for a fight

All my life
I was never there
Just a ghost
Running scared
Here our dreams are made
They're won

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I...
Found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

Bought my fate straight from hell
Against sight has paid off well
For a mother
A brother
And me

The silver of the lake at night
The hills of Hollywood on fire
A boulevard of hope and dreams
Streets made of desire

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I...
Found myself in the fire burnt hills
In the land of a billion lights

I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

Angels
Angels
I am home
Home
Home
Home

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I...
Found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

One life
One love left
One life
One love left
One life
One love left
One life
One love left

The city of angels
City of angels




City of angels
City of angels

Overall Meaning

In City of Angels, Jared Leto sings about his experience of moving to Los Angeles, the city of angels, when he was 17 years old. The lyrics are reflective and nostalgic as he reminisces about his younger days when he was full of energy and looking for a fight. He describes himself as a ghost, always running scared, but he found himself in the city that never sleeps, the city of dreams, where he could make something of himself.


The song speaks of the contrast between the city's beauty, with its bright lights and bustling streets, and the loneliness of being lost in a big, new place. Leto highlights the silver of the lake, the hills of Hollywood on fire, and a boulevard of hope and dreams. However, he also acknowledges the darker side of the city, where people take shortcuts to success and purchase their fate straight from hell.


The repetition of "one life, one love left" at the end of the song gives it a somewhat ominous feel, hinting that despite the opportunities the city has to offer, one must be careful not to lose sight of what truly matters.


Line by Line Meaning

There was truth
At the beginning of the song, the singer introduces the idea that truth exists.


There was consequence
The singer is acknowledging that actions have consequences.


Against you, a weak defense
The singer is pointing out that there isn't much defense to use against the consequences of one's actions.


Then there's me, I'm seventeen
The artist introduces their own personal story, mentioning age.


Looking for a fight
The artist is conveying a sense of aggression or a desire to rebel.


All my life
The singer is indicating that the next lines will relate to their entire life.


I was never there
The singer is confessing that they were never fully present or engaged in their own life.


Just a ghost
The artist uses a metaphor, describing themselves as a ghost, meaning they were disconnected or absent.


Running scared
The artist is depicting a sense of fear or anxiety that motivated their past behavior.


Here our dreams are made
The artist references a new location; it's likely that this place is where they feel their dreams can come true.


They're won
The singer goes on to suggest that it is here that one's dreams can actually be achieved.


Lost in the city of angels
The artist references Los Angeles, often called the City of Angels, suggesting that they are lost in this place, perhaps lost in terms of identity or purpose.


Down in the comfort of strangers, I...
The singer juxtaposes the idea of being lost with being comfortable, and mentions the idea of strangers.


Found myself in the fire burned hills
The singer describes discovering themselves within the Hollywood Hills, referencing the fires that occur in these hills and suggesting the idea of destruction.


In the land of a billion lights
The singer points out that in this place, there is an excess of bright lights, perhaps symbolizing the idea of fame and glamour.


Bought my fate straight from hell
The artist uses religious imagery to suggest that the life they have built for themselves had evil origins or was damaging to them.


Against sight has paid off well
The artist is referring to the idea that going against societal expectations has served them well.


For a mother
The singer references their mother specifically in this line.


A brother
The singer now mentions a sibling, likely as someone who has also played a significant role in their life.


And me
Lastly, the artist mentions themselves again, with the implication being that these three people are the most important to them.


The silver of the lake at night
The artist describes the appearance of a lake at night, noting its silver color.


The hills of Hollywood on fire
Again, there is reference to the Hollywood Hills and the fires that can happen in those hills.


A boulevard of hope and dreams
The singer describes an actual road in LA called the Boulevard of Dreams and suggests the idea of possibility.


Streets made of desire
The artist uses metaphor, saying streets are made of desire, meaning people are motivated by what they want and aspire to.


Angels
The singer repeats the word 'Angels,' which may refer to the religious image of angelic beings as protectors or guides.


I am home
After a journey through life and through this city, the singer claims they've found a home.


One life
The singer references the idea that they have only one life to live.


One love left
The artist suggests that they only have one love left, perhaps because they've been hurt before or because they are very particular about love.


The city of angels
One final reference to LA as the City of Angels, leaving the listener thinking about the significance of this place in the artist's life.




Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@MrBachfie

"City Of Angels"

There was truth
There was consequence
Against you, a weak defense
Then there's me, I'm seventeen
Looking for a fight

All my life I was never there
Just a ghost running scared
Here our dreams aren't made–
They're won.

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

Bought my fate straight from hell
Second sight has paid off well
For a mother, a brother and me

The silver of a lake at night
The hills of Hollywood on fire
A boulevard of hope and dreams
Streets made of desire

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights
(Of a billion lights, of a billion lights, of a billion lights...)

Angels
Angels

I am home, home, home, home

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

One life, one love live
One life, one love live
One life, one love live
One life, one love

The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels



@user-go8vt9lp7i

There was truth, there was consequence, against you
A weak defense, then there's me
I'm 17, and looking for a fight
All my life, I was never there just a ghost, running scared
Here our dreams are made, the one

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I
Found myself in the fire burnt hills
In the land of a billion lights

Bought my fate, straight from hell
A second sight is paid off well
For a mother, a brother and me
The silver of the lake at night
The hills of Hollywood on fire
A boulevard of hope and dreams
And streets made of desire

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I
Found myself in the fire burnt hills
In the land of a billion lights

I found myself in the fire burnt hills
In the land of a billion lights
(Angels)
(Angels)

I am home, home, home, home

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers, I
Found myself in the fire burnt hills
In the land of a billion lights

One life, one love, live
One life, one love, live
One life, one love, live
One life, one love, live

The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels



@giannysruiz3376

There was truth
There was consequence against you
A weak defense
Then there's me, I'm seventeen
Looking for a fight

All my life I was never there
Just a ghost, running scared
Here our dreams aren't made
They're won

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

Bought my fate straight from hell
Second sight is payed off well
For a mother, a brother, and me

The silver of a lake at night
The hills of Hollywood on fire
A boulevard of hope and dreams
Streets made of desire

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the far burned hills
In the land of a billion lights
I found myself in the far burned hills
In the land of a billion lights

Angels
Angels
I am home, home, home, home

Lost in the city of angels
Down in the comfort of strangers
I found myself in the fire burned hills
In the land of the billion lights

One life, one love live
One life, one love live
One life, one love live
One life, one love
The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels
The city of angels



All comments from YouTube:

@hibamousaid1946

Who is listening to this masterpiece in 2023 ?? ✨✨ ps: it’s 2024 now

@ViniciusTavaresVideo

Im, from Brazil

@1986Haggard

Я из России

@keenwerkz

🤚

@lisatourle6617

Me I'm from South Wales cant wait to see them in Cardiff next year

@jedmimouni1441

30 More Replies...

@charlescharlemagne4907

this band has the best intros to their songs. That drumming is amazing

@BroughtCat

You have Mr. Shannon Leto to thank for that!!

@animusdesynched7386

One of the people who appeared in the official video, Christopher “Superman” Dennis...he passed away. 4 months ago. Rest in peace, Christopher...keep inspiring people in heaven.

@shushant72

I don't know why but whenever i listen to this song it refills me with positive hope...

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