Wrong Victory
MS MR Lyrics
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Golden flames that burned, but couldn't heal me from within
Disperse the heat, let the cults repent, oh
Burstin' languid light, past my head and by his bed
When your skin doesn't feel like home, oh
And I don't wanna break down and feel alone, oh oh oh
This body only knows, oh
Superstition that drowned itself in the way
Of a freed premonition that could've helped me escape
It's the wrong kind of victory, always has a breakthrough
So when nothing fits like it used to
Hairs on my head stand on end
The spine of this truth, repel and suspend
Act like birds, but should help me transcend
Hairs on my head stand on end
The spine of this truth, like cracks in the wind
Act like birds, but should help me transcend
The opening lyrics of "Wrong Victory" by MS MR reveal a person who has been wearing "rose-colored glasses" in an attempt to hide from reality. These glasses were ineffective and could not protect them from the emotional pain they experience. They go on to describe the burning sensation they feel from the figurative "golden flames" that they believe should have healed them, but instead left them feeling empty on the inside. They recognize the need to let go of the past and repent so as to progress and move forward. There is a burst of hope seen in the "languid light" that passes by the bed, but what follows is a story of feeling lost and out of place in one's own skin. The person has built up defensive walls, as they don't want to feel vulnerable and alone.
The second verse sees the person focus on the internal turmoil that they battle, despite the outside world looking at them and seeing only the facade they present. Superstition has gotten in the way of freeing themselves and "helped" them build a defensible wall. Instead of seeing the victory in breaking free from these walls, they instead see only the loss of something familiar. The chorus repeats, as they struggle with how to deal with the feelings of being out of place in their own body.
The bridge sees the person's nerves and senses heightened, almost like a premonition of something to come. It's as if their body is warning them of danger or a change, but they don't know how to interpret the signals. The spine can be interpreted in a number of ways, whether it is a physical sensation or a figurative backbone. Finally, they find hope in the metaphorical imagery of acting like birds and transcending their current state, but it is unclear what this transcendance may look like.
Line by Line Meaning
Rose-colored glasses, they couldn't shield anything
Even though I looked at things through an optimistic lens, it didn't hide the problems that still existed
Golden flames that burned, but couldn't heal me from within
While being praised felt good, it didn't fix the brokenness inside of me
Disperse the heat, let the cults repent, oh
Let go of the intensity and allow those caught up in destructive behavior to change their ways
Burstin' languid light, past my head and by his bed
A slow-motion explosion of light that happened near me and some other person's bed
When your skin doesn't feel like home, oh
When you don't feel comfortable or accepted in your own skin
And I don't wanna break down and feel alone, oh oh oh
I don't want to have an emotional breakdown and feel isolated
This body only knows, oh
My physical self only knows
How to hold back more than it shows, oh oh oh
How to restrain or hide more than it displays
Superstition that drowned itself in the way
A belief in magic or the supernatural that didn't bring success and ultimately caused failure
Of a freed premonition that could've helped me escape
A prediction that could've warned me and allowed me to get away from a harmful situation
It's the wrong kind of victory, always has a breakthrough
Celebrating harmful behavior or outcomes is never truly a victory
So when nothing fits like it used to
When things aren't as they were before and don't feel right
Hairs on my head stand on end
I feel frightened or anxious, causing my hair to stand up
The spine of this truth, repel and suspend
The backbone of reality is pushing away and holding back
Act like birds, but should help me transcend
Act like free creatures, but really assist me in my spiritual journey
The spine of this truth, like cracks in the wind
The backbone of reality is weak and vulnerable
Contributed by Joshua H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Lipglosspink
Rose-colored glasses, they couldn't shield anything
Golden flames that burned, but couldn't heal me from within
Disperse the heat, let the cold sweep in, oh
Burst in languid light, as my head and body spin
When your skin doesn't feel like home, oh
And I don't wanna break down and feel alone, oh oh oh
This body only knows, oh
How to hold back more than it shows, oh oh oh
A superstition, that found itself in the way
Of a freed premonition, that could've helped me escape
It's the wrong kind of victory, disguised as a breakthrough
It's hard when nothing, fits like it used to
When your skin doesn't feel like home, oh
And I don't wanna break down and feel alone, oh oh oh
This body only knows, oh
How to hold back more than it shows, oh oh oh
Hairs on my hand, stand on end
The spine of this truth, repel and suspend
Act like bars, but should help me transcend
Hairs on my hand, stand on end
The spine of this truth, like cracks in the wind
Act like birds, but should help me transcend
When your skin doesn't feel like home, oh
And I don't wanna break down and feel alone, oh oh oh
This body only knows, oh
How to hold back more than it shows, oh oh oh
@Akkesama
These guys are iconic and deserve recognition for it.
@robertapascal6962
Akkesama a hell of a lot more than Halsey.
@lanier1000
Yeah, don't get it -- this is fabulous work. Smashes almost everything contemporary (last 10 years or so).
It's the cruel world of art....... the good stuff mostly gets no love until it has aged like wine, and then still maybe not. Meanwhile, trash music makes others millionaires.
.
@TheYendor24
It’s 2021 we need more MSMR!!!! Please come back!!!!
@damien1834
One of the best female voices I ever heard. Beautiful music, you guys should be recognized worldwide!
@funkyfurballs1078
What a musical tragedy! I guess we'll have to rely on a MsMr cover band to continue the story.
@RayRay-lo2wn
Oh it has been years since I last listened to MS MR, and today I suddenly remembered them... Damn I didn't know how much I liked their music.
@justschr
I agree. It’s unfortunate they split before they could do a third album.
@Gripstress
Randomly into my head too. Popped on to listen. ❤
@yasmindornelas3364
Quero eles no lollapalooza! Ahhh meu coraçãoo! <3 <3