Bitter Rivals
Lowell Lyrics
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It hurts to lie like a wrinkled sheet
I followed the blow, I took my chances
I know I'm blinded by my demons
All that's left for me to bleed
I took my time and abused my freedom
You and I, spitting fire at a dying flame
Cause we were bitter rivals
We were rebels without a cause
We were bitter rivals
We were bitter rivals
We were born into this fire
In our prayers and in our kiss
[?] of your father
Like a cut on either side of a leg
Cause we were bitter rivals
Playing in a war that can't be stopped
We were rebels without a cause
We were bitter rivals
(We were bitter rivals)
We were bitter rivals
(We were bitter rivals)
We were bitter rivals
The lyrics of Lowell's song "Bitter Rivals" address the pain and deceit of a relationship that has gone sour. Through vivid imagery, the singer describes the bitterness that has resulted from two people who were once close and now view each other as rivals. The line "I taste blood on the back of my answer" creates a visceral image of the singer's struggle to be honest about their feelings, which have caused emotional pain. The image of a "wrinkled sheet" adds to the sense of emotional turmoil, suggesting that the singer has been lying for a long time.
The lyrics go on to describe the relationship as a war that cannot be stopped, with both parties "spitting fire at a dying flame." The use of the word "rebels" suggests a sense of defiance or opposition, but without a clear cause or goal. The repeated lines "We were bitter rivals" emphasize the sense of division and hostility between these two people who were once close.
The imagery in the chorus reinforces the idea of a relationship that has become dangerous and destructive, with references to fire and cuts. The line "We were born into this fire" suggests that conflict has been a part of their relationship from the beginning, while the image of a cut on each side of a leg suggests that both parties have been hurt in the relationship.
Overall, "Bitter Rivals" is a powerful portrayal of a relationship that has gone wrong, using vivid and brutal imagery to convey the pain and bitterness that has resulted.
Line by Line Meaning
I taste blood on the back of my answer
I feel guilty about what I've done and I know I'm going to be caught.
It hurts to lie like a wrinkled sheet
Lying has become so easy, but at the same time, it's painful because I know it's wrong and it's changing me.
I followed the blow, I took my chances
I took a risk and did what I wanted to do, even though I knew it was dangerous.
I know I'm blinded by my demons
I'm struggling with inner demons that are causing me to make bad choices and hurt those around me.
All that's left for me to bleed
I've lost everything and all that's left is for me to suffer the consequences of my choices.
I took my time and abused my freedom
I wasted my time doing things I shouldn't have done, and now I regret it.
You and I, spitting fire at a dying flame
We fought passionately even though our relationship was already falling apart.
Cause we were bitter rivals
Our intense competition and animosity toward each other consumed us.
Playing in a war that can't be stopped
We were locked in constant conflict that we couldn't escape from.
We were rebels without a cause
Our fighting had become pointless and we were just acting rebellious without really knowing why.
We were born into this fire
Our problems and conflicts have always existed and we were shaped by them.
In our prayers and in our kiss
The intensity of our relationship was evident in both our love and our fights.
[?] of your father
Unclear without more context, so no meaning can be provided.
Like a cut on either side of a leg
Our constant fighting was like an open wound that never healed and kept causing pain.
We were bitter rivals
Our animosity and fierce competition consumed us completely.
(We were bitter rivals)
Reiteration of the previous line.
(We were bitter rivals)
Reiteration of the previous line.
Writer(s): Elizabeth Lowell Boland
Contributed by Sophie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.