Ashes
K T Tunstall Lyrics
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And I'm wondering how long it's gonna last.
Be my mirror, be my friend,
Be the workhouse of the energy
I twist your arm to spin
Everyday, like a power station
You know it isn't good
Oh, when you burn out
The twisted irony is
Your ashes come home to me
Come home to me
So we take a walk
To make some sense
And I'm wondering if you fancy my defense.
I have pushed you
Way too far
And you say, "Fuck you little princess
Who the hell do you think you are?"
Everyday, like a power station
You know it isn't good
You know you're burning too much wood
But I said if you burn out
The twisted irony is
Your ashes come home to me
Come home to me
Come home to me
Yeah well your ashes come home to me
Come home to me
Come home to me
You know well the circus' gonna have you on a fucking mantelpiece
The mantelpiece
The mantelpiece
The lyrics to K T Tunstall’s song Ashes deal with the push and pull of a relationship in which the singer admits to being “a pain, in your ass” and wondering how long the other person is willing to tolerate it. The singer then asks the other person to be their “mirror” and “friend” and to provide the energy necessary to keep their relationship going. The metaphor of a power station is used to represent the constant drain on energy that the singer poses to the other person, but also acknowledges that they know it isn’t good and that the other person is “burning too much wood”.
The chorus introduces a twisted irony whereby if the other person were to “burn out”, they would come home to the singer in the form of ashes. The relationship is therefore shown as being mutually dependent and potentially destructive. In the second verse, the singer and the other person take a walk to try to “make some sense” of their situation. However, the conversation becomes contentious when the other person accuses the singer of pushing them too far and asks them who they think they are. The song ends with the repeated refrain of “Come home to me” and the ominous statement that “the circus is going to have you on a fucking mantelpiece”.
Overall, the lyrics to Ashes represent a complicated and possibly toxic relationship in which each person relies on the other for energy and validation, but also risks burning out and becoming nothing but ashes in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a pain, in you're ass
I am formidable and challenging presence in your life
And I'm wondering how long it's gonna last.
I question the duration of our relationship
Be my mirror, be my friend,
I want you to be honest with me and supportive of me
Be the workhouse of the energy
Provide me with strength and endurance
I twist your arm to spin
I demand your absolute commitment and effort
Everyday, like a power station
Daily, with intensity and industriousness
You know it isn't good
You are aware of the negative consequences
I know you're burning too much wood
I know you are expending too much of your own resources
Oh, when you burn out
When you reach exhaustion and limit
The twisted irony is
The cruel circumstance is
Your ashes come home to me
The consequences and remains of your efforts directly impact me
So we take a walk
We take a moment to discuss
To make some sense
To seek clarity and understanding
And I'm wondering if you fancy my defense.
I am curious if you support my side of things
I have pushed you
I have demanded and challenged you
Way too far
Beyond what is reasonable or fair
And you say, "Fuck you little princess
You retaliate with anger and aggression
Who the hell do you think you are?"
You question my arrogance and entitlement
Yeah well your ashes come home to me
The results of your efforts and actions ultimately affect me
You know well the circus' gonna have you on a fucking mantelpiece
You are aware of the inevitable consequences of your hard work, however, others will ultimately take credit for it.
The mantelpiece
A metaphorical finish line or goal that others will reap rewards from
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATIE TUNSTALL, KT TUNSTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DustOffUH1
I saw her at a small venue in Chicago when I heard this for the first time. I was about 20' away from the stage. She announced her new acoustic album and before she played it, she apologized to her nephew, who was in the audience, for the language :)
@TheOtherFifthBeatle
I love this song. This is by far one of her finest.
@cieloinunastanza6854
She is a great songrwriter, with a beautiful raspy voice.
@daisyhorn7921
this album was overshadowed by eye to the telescope and this song is one of my favs. :(
@kissmarianita
This song is PERFECT! LIKE HER. LIKE HER GUITAR.... LIKE HER VOICE.. LIKE EVERYTHING SHE DOES....
@humbertoquadros9384
LOVE the trumpet in this, wish i knew other songs like it
@omargarcia2252
Desde la ciudad de México un besote para esa princesa kt tunstall
@2604971000
this is my favorite song ever.....!!!!!
@edethethel
I feel warm all over when i hear her voice...great little singer entertainer...
@martijnmartin8783
True to live in all of her songs. Love her what-a-fuck-attitude, facial expression,voice and all about her. Great thing this too, heard it first time- no one ever compares to you KT! Hold on to, pretty, you've got it.