Radioactive
Marina and the Diamonds Lyrics


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Lying on a fake beach
You'll never get a tan
Baby I'm gonna leave you drowning until you reach for my hand

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

When you're around me, I'm radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive

Waiting for the night fall, for my heart to light up
Oh baby I want you to die for, for you to die for my love

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

When you're around me, I'm radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel
Ready to be let down
Now I'm heading for a meltdown

Tonight I feel like neon gold
I take one look at you and I grow cold
And I grow cold
And I grow cold

When you're around me, I'm radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel




Ready to be let down
Now I'm heading for a meltdown

Overall Meaning

"Radioactive" is a song that describes the destructive power of love. Marina And The Diamonds, the Welsh singer-songwriter behind the track, paints a vivid picture of an unhealthy relationship. The first lyrics speak of a fake beach where you can never get a tan, which symbolizes the superficiality of the relationship. The following line, "Baby I'm gonna leave you drowning until you reach for my hand," suggests that the person does not care about the well-being of the other, and is willing to let them suffer.


The chorus is where the title of the song comes into play, and it refers to the effect the relationship has on the singer. She feels like she is turning radioactive, and her blood and heart are nuclear. The line "Love is all that I feel" shows how love, in this case, is all-consuming, and it's the only thing the singer feels. The bridge mentions waiting for the nightfall and for the heart to light up. This could refer to the cycle of the relationship, where there are times when everything seems perfect, but it always ends in heartbreak.


In conclusion, "Radioactive" is a song that speaks about a toxic relationship and how love can transform someone into something destructive, just like radiation. It's a warning about how love can take over your life and make you feel like you're losing your grip on reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Lying on a fake beach
Being in a fake, artificial environment


You'll never get a tan
You'll never be able to experience the true warmth and radiance of the sun


Baby I'm gonna leave you drowning until you reach for my hand
I'm going to let you struggle until you realize your need for me


In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
You feel fulfilled in the moment, but empty and unsatisfied in the aftermath


But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me
I'm the one in control, I'm the one who is causing the pain


When you're around me, I'm radioactive
Being around me is dangerous and harmful


My blood is burning, radioactive
I am full of intense passion and emotional intensity


I'm turning radioactive
I am becoming more and more dangerous and unstable


My blood is radioactive
I am filled with toxic emotions


My heart is nuclear
My heart is powerful, potentially destructive


Love is all that I feel
My intense feelings are all-consuming and all-encompassing


Waiting for the night fall, for my heart to light up
Anticipation for passion, energy, and excitement to take over


Oh baby I want you to die for, for you to die for my love
I want you to be completely devoted to me, even if it means risking your own well-being


Ready to be let down
Expecting to be disappointed or hurt


Now I'm heading for a meltdown
I am on the brink of an emotional breakdown


Tonight I feel like neon gold
I feel vibrant and flashy


I take one look at you and I grow cold
Seeing you doesn't excite me like it used to


And I grow cold
I am emotionally distancing myself from you




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Marina Diamandis, Fabian (Quaver) Lenssen, Clyde Narain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@noijonas

Okay, so my friend and I are hardcore Diamonds, and I came up with this theory from the videos and lyrics that he added on to and I'll try to explain it as best as I can!

Part 1: Fear and Loathing is Electra getting rid of who she once was. Perhaps it was after a breakup or something? This is not the first time, either. (been many people different times).

Part 2: Radioactive is Electra meeting a new man who she feels like she's on top of the world with. Together, they are toxic and destructive (when you're around me, I'm radioactive) but again, she feels amazing with him. Also, she tries blonde. Perhaps her boyfriend enjoys it.

Part 3: The Archetypes. Electra actually dyes her hair blonde and actually becomes Electra Heart, and is showing the world who she has become. Also, she is revealing that she and the man are now married (housewife).

Part 4: Primadonna. Electra is sure of who she is now, and she gets into a whole "I don't need anyone but myself" place. She feels like the queen of the world.

Part 5: SU-BARBIE-A, Electra's husband doesn't appreciate her telling him he's unneeded, and so they begin to argue constantly, as evidenced by the arguing in the background.

Part 6: Power and Control. Electra's marriage is beginning to fall apart, and they both begin cheating on each other. It becomes a literal power play for both of them.

Part 7: How To Be a Heartbreaker, Electra is now divorced from her husband and is now fooling around with several new men. Also, she removed the blonde from her hair, going back to her natural dark hair.

Part 8: E.V.O.L, Electra begins to realise that she is a little heartbroken and "fucked up" after divorcing her husband. The fun with new boys has run dry.

Part 9: State of Dreaming, Electra realises that she ruined her own life by being narcissistic and unappreciative. She realises that she's been "living in a make-believe land" where she didn't need anyone but herself.

Part 10: Lies. Electra gets her husband back. Sort of. He doesn't love her anymore, and she's completely heartbroken. Their relationship now is purely sexual, and she knows it will never be mended.

Part 11: Electra Heart. Electra's life has fizzed out, and after ruining her marriage and losing her husband and all the happiness she ever had, Electra kills herself.

Also: Perhaps her husband had a girlfriend or wife when he and Electra first met in Radioactive, and thats where "Homewrecker" comes in.

Thanks for reading this mess haha, hope it made sense! xx



@giorgioz1550

Lying on a fake beach
You'll never get a tan
Baby I'm gonna leave you drowning until you reach for my hand

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive

Waiting for the night fall, for my heart to light up
Oh baby I want you to die for, for you to die for my love

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel
Ready to be let down
Now I’m heading for a meltdown

Tonight I feel like neon gold
I take one look at you and I grow cold
And I grow cold
And I grow cold

When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I feel
Ready to be let down
Now I’m heading for a meltdown.



@arlethlp825

Lying on a fake beach
You'll never get a tan
Baby I'm gonna leave you drowning until you reach for my hand

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

[Chorus]
When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I fear
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive

Waiting for the night fall, for my heart to light up
Oh baby I want you to die for, for you to die for my love

In the night your heart is full and by the morning empty
But baby I'm the one who left you, you're not the one who left me

[Chorus]
When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I fear
Ready to be let down
Now I’m heading for a meltdown

[Bridge]
Tonight I feel like neon gold
I take one look at you and I grow cold
And I grow cold...
And I grow cold...

[Chorus]
When you’re around me, I’m radioactive
My blood is burning, radioactive
I'm turning radioactive
My blood is radioactive
My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I fear
Ready to be let down
Now I’m heading for a meltdown

My heart is nuclear
Love is all that I fear.



All comments from YouTube:

@TheJJmaynard

My only question is, why isn't Marina more famous? She has a perfect voice, she's so beautiful, and overall just so lovely. 

@melikeerdemir3845

Because she's not a slut like other singers

@ThePsychoticPurple

I don't think it's a perfect voice but I like it just the same.

@mismag133

ThePsychoticPurple shh, it's perfect.

@ccceeable

Because ger songs arent about having fun partying and the positives of love. I find them perfect tho.

@melikeerdemir3845

ThePsychoticPurple at least she has kinda different voice. She's not like others

169 More Replies...

@brendanwernisch4761

We need a club that literally only plays Marina. 

@curassavica

Call it the Lonely Hearts Club.

@stargirrrl_

😱💕🙏💖

@pastelcums5781

Omg, yes! 💞

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