Jessica Cerro was a triple j Unearthed High finalist of 2012 with indie pop song ‘Anyone But Me’. Jess decided to wait on pursuing their music career full-time in order to finish their secondary studies.
They spent time refining and developing their songwriting skills under the guidance of Michael Szumowski of Alberts music. Consuming more of the fiction that feeds their introspectively self-conscious lyrics, their quest was to develop a more mature worldview. Late last year Montaigne recorded their first EP with producer Tony Buchen (The Preatures, Andy Bull).
‘I’m A Fantastic Wreck’ was the first offering from Montaigne’s debut EP, Life of Montaigne, released in 2014. The EP is like a book, each song a chapter. Each sound is unique, leaving us to understand the depths of our very private selves, with influences such as The National, Sigur Rós, Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett.
They later released two albums: ‘Glorious Heights’ in 2016 and ‘Complex’ in 2019.
In 2020 they won Australia Decides with their song ‘Don’t break me’ and got selected to represent their country in the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was supposed to be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Unfortunately the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, they represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Technicolour", but did not qualify from the semi-final, becoming the first Australian entrant not to qualify to the final since the debut of Australia in 2015.
In The Dark
Montaigne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I'm in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I'm in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I'm in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
Ten thousand men stand before me
I can't pretend they don't bore me
I am strategically leaving small bruises
What if I am a liar?
What if I don't control desires?
I am unintentionally tying the nooses
I am, I am
I am, I am
I am, I am
I am! I am who I am
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
My only man stands before me
He worships me, he adores me
I am unintentionally leaving small bruises
What if I am ungrateful?
What if I am unfaithful?
I don't want to be that kind of loser
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (whoa)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (whoa)
[Post-
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I do believe I've been mistreated
My disbelief comes from a reason
I do not love anyone anymore
You taught me how to be numb to the core
I can't sleep, I am the reason
For my defeat, for keeping feelings in
I do not love anything anymore
I'm in the dark, and I'm digging deeper
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (whoa)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (down)
I am in the dark and I'm digging down
I am in the dark and I'm digging down (whoa)
Montaigne's "In the Dark" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores themes of self-doubt, numbness, and a sense of lost identity. The repetition of the chorus, "I am in the dark and I'm digging down," echoes the feeling of being trapped or stuck in a place emotionally, with no clear way out. The verses describe a sense of dissatisfaction with both oneself and others, with lines such as "Ten thousand men stand before me, I can't pretend they don't bore me" and "My only man stands before me, he worships me, he adores me, I am unintentionally leaving small bruises." The lyrics suggest a struggle with maintaining a sense of agency and control in one's life, and the fear of either being unfaithful or a victim of mistreatment.
The repetition of the phrase "I am who I am" in the chorus suggests a desire to hold onto one's sense of self in the midst of a confusing and uncertain emotional landscape. However, the final verse reveals a sense of defeat and numbness, with lines such as "I do not love anyone anymore, you taught me how to be numb to the core" and "I'm in the dark, and I'm digging deeper." The song leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved tension, as the singer continues to dig deeper and deeper into the darkness.
Overall, "In the Dark" is a powerful and evocative exploration of the experience of feeling lost, numb, and disconnected from oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the dark and I'm digging down
I am grappling with difficult thoughts and emotions
Ten thousand men stand before me
I am overwhelmed by societal pressures and expectations
I can't pretend they don't bore me
I am unable to fake interest in mundane or meaningless things
What if I am a liar?
I am questioning my own honesty and integrity
What if I don't control desires?
I am worried that I may not be able to manage my own impulses
My only man stands before me
My significant other is the only person who truly knows and loves me
He worships me, he adores me
My partner idolizes me and holds me in high esteem
What if I am ungrateful?
I am afraid of not showing enough appreciation for the love and support I receive
What if I am unfaithful?
I am anxious about betraying the trust and love of my partner
I do believe I've been mistreated
I feel like I have not been treated fairly or kindly by others
My disbelief comes from a reason
My skepticism and mistrust is founded on real experiences and events
You taught me how to be numb to the core
Someone in my past has caused me to shut off my emotions and become emotionally numb
I can't sleep, I am the reason
My own thoughts and worries are keeping me awake at night
Contributed by Alaina R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@luckyphilster
I am a turducken a dinga dong
@nick83366650
+Philip Taylor Hahaha now it's all I can hear
@nuvolebarocche6215
LOVING this song!! it has such a haunting and fascinating sound...it's seriously underrated!!! ❤️
@josephbellamy2587
Such respect for this woman. A role model for the generation. It's tragic less than 10,000 people have been influenced by this artwork.
@strwbrryfinchy
glad to see goza from ghostbusters making a return after her failed attempt on new york! hehe. love the song!
@lukecooke9509
Ah Montaigne, you've done it again! <3
@TenisJr
This is so underrated
@gamerdareswins2825
Reminds me of so much early 80s synth pop and i love it!
@harps4me
i saw this live and it was so sick
@withintheether
wow! new and challenging the mainstream. Great