The Descent
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics


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Will my kingdom disappear and fade away
Will sleep overcome the hurt and then decay
I can't be poisoned and you will not make me cry
I've cleansed my ugliness and I've cleansed my paranoia

The winner takes it all
My baby teeth are gone
Into a better place
That I have yet to go
Will I burn or will I pray
Will sleep consume my waking days
Descent is getting steeper day by day

This is my last descent
I hope I'm making sense
I've lost my last defense
This is my last descent

Have my expectations gone too far again
Do I have the courage of the books I've read
Do you understand the pain we're going through
There is no need to leave us* beaten black and blue

The winner takes it all
My baby teeth are gone
Into a better place
That I have yet to go
Will I burn or will I pray
Will sleep consume my waking days
Descent is getting steeper day by day

This is my last descent
I hope I'm making sense
I've lost my last defense
This is my last descent

This is my last descent
I hope I'm making sense




I've lost my last defense
The pages that you left

Overall Meaning

behind will never end


The opening lines of the song, "Will my kingdom disappear and fade away / Will sleep overcome the hurt and then decay" suggest a sense of questioning one's own mortality and the eventual decline of one's accomplishments. The singer then asserts their strength, claiming that they cannot be poisoned and they will not cry. This can be interpreted as a form of defiance against those who would bring them down, whether that be physical or emotional harm. The line "I've cleansed my ugliness and I've cleansed my paranoia" further emphasises this, indicating a sense of personal growth or change after having overcome past struggles.


The chorus, "The winner takes it all / My baby teeth are gone / Into a better place / That I have yet to go / Will I burn or will I pray / Will sleep consume my waking days / Descent is getting steeper day by day" reinforces the idea of uncertainty and impending decline. The reference to losing baby teeth is an interesting one, as it symbolises growth and change, but also vulnerability and loss. The idea of a better place that the singer has yet to go suggests a sense of hope, but the question of whether they will burn or pray demonstrates a sense of indecision or even doubt.


The final verse, "Have my expectations gone too far again / Do I have the courage of the books I've read / Do you understand the pain we're going through / There is no need to leave us beaten black and blue" emphasises the idea of questioning oneself and one's own abilities. The singer acknowledges the pain they are going through, but also asserts that they should not be left beaten down by it. The final repetition of "This is my last descent / I hope I'm making sense / I've lost my last defense / The pages that you left behind will never end" reinforces the idea of the impending decline and loss, but also suggests that what has been left behind will continue to have an impact.


Line by Line Meaning

Will my kingdom disappear and fade away
Am I going to lose everything that I have built or achieved?


Will sleep overcome the hurt and then decay
Will I find solace in unconsciousness and then suffer the consequences?


I can't be poisoned and you will not make me cry
I am resilient and will not succumb to your attempts to hurt me emotionally.


I've cleansed my ugliness and I've cleansed my paranoia
I have gotten rid of the negative aspects of my personality and am no longer plagued by unfounded fears.


The winner takes it all
Success comes with a cost, and often at the expense of others.


My baby teeth are gone
I have grown up and moved on from my childhood.


Into a better place that I have yet to go
I am hopeful that there is a better future awaiting me.


Will I burn or will I pray
Am I going to be punished or blessed in the afterlife?


Will sleep consume my waking days
Will my current troubles be all-consuming and prevent me from living my life?


Descent is getting steeper day by day
My situation is getting worse with time.


This is my last descent
I have hit rock bottom and this is my final fall before I rise again.


I hope I'm making sense
I hope that my words are coherent and can be understood by others.


I've lost my last defense
I am completely vulnerable and have no more protection.


The pages that you left
The remnants of our past that you left behind.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES BRADFIELD, NICHOLAS JONES, SEAN MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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