Broken Doll
Paloma Faith Lyrics

I'm a broken doll,
The singer is conveying their fragility and vulnerability, comparing themselves to a toy that is in need of fixing.

And you're the puppeteer,
The person the singer is addressing is the one person in control, with the power to pull the strings and make things happen.

Take control for me
The singer is relinquishing control to the other person, asking them to take charge and make things better, since they are unable or unwilling to do it themselves.

And wipe away my fear.
The artist is asking the person they are addressing to dispel their worries and anxieties, giving them comfort and assurance.

I don't claim to be perfect
The artist acknowledges their faults and shortcomings, making it clear that they are not putting on a facade or pretending to be someone they are not.

I know I'm damaged goods,
The singer admits that they have been hurt in the past and are emotionally scarred as a result. They equate themselves to goods that are flawed or have been damaged in some way.

But I wanna be let out of darkness
The singer is expressing a desire to break free from their current state of sadness and despair, hoping to find a way out of their emotional turmoil.

Just like every lady would.
The artist identifies with other women who may also be feeling trapped or held back, implying that they are not alone in their struggles.

Lick my wounds and watch them seal
The artist is asking the person they are addressing to metaphorically kiss their emotional wounds and help them heal, acknowledging that the healing process may take some time.

With a healing heart,
The artist is emphasizing the need for empathy and compassion from the other person, urging them to be loving and gentle in their approach to help mend the artist's emotional wounds.

Embrace my sadness, look after me,
The singer is asking the other person to accept their pain and sorrow, and to take care of them in their time of need.

'Cause there's no-one else I'd ask.
The artist is conveying that they trust and rely on the person they are addressing more than anyone else, implicitly acknowledging the strength of their relationship.

Piece me all together,
The singer is asking the other person to help them become whole again, as though they are a jigsaw puzzle that needs to be put back together.

The broken high and sweet,
The singer is highlighting a contrast between their wounded state and their former self, which was likely more alive and well.

You thought my heart was made of wood
The singer is suggesting that the other person may have misjudged them, thinking that they were incapable of feeling emotions or being hurt like a doll that is made of wood.

But I can hear it beat.
The artist is asserting that they are a living, breathing human being with a heart that is still capable of love and emotion, despite any damage that may have been inflicted upon it in the past.

I'm scared of shadows in the night,
The artist is expressing a fear of the unknown, or perhaps a fear of being alone, which can lead to feelings of isolation or abandonment.

When you're not there by my side.
The singer is conveying that they depend on the other person for comfort and security, and feel vulnerable or exposed without them.

Sick of nightmares in my sleep
The singer describes ongoing problems with sleep, likely due to anxiety or depression.

There's no place I can hide.
The artist is conveying a sense of hopelessness or desperation, feeling that they cannot escape from their problems or find relief from their pain.

See the beauty in the blood,
The artist is suggesting that there is something compelling or captivating about their emotional turmoil, seeing value or worth in their pain or suffering.

That drips down from my eyes
The artist is likely referring to tears, which are a physical manifestation of emotional pain or distress, and can be seen as a symbol of vulnerability or raw emotion.

Hold the parts that were ripped out
The singer is asking the other person to help them repair the damage that was done to their emotional state, which likely resulted from trauma or betrayal.

That had took me by surprise.
The artist is highlighting the shock or surprise they felt when they were hurt, perhaps indicating that they were blindsided or led to believe that they were safe or secure.

Boom, Boom,
The singer is describing a rhythmic beat, perhaps indicative of their heartbeat or a musical accompaniment.

There it goes,
The singer is emphasizing the sound or sensation that they are feeling, as though some powerful force is at work within them.

To the sound of the grand piano.
The singer is describing a musical instrument that is often associated with elegance and sophistication, perhaps suggesting that there is something beautiful or delightful going on here.

I'm dancing in your light,
The artist is metaphorically describing their actions as though they are moving in time with some sort of radiant energy, which they attribute to the person they are addressing.

And I like it.
The artist is expressing a sense of joy or pleasure in this moment, perhaps feeling a sense of relief or release from their worries and fears.

I'm a broken doll,
The singer reiterates their emotional fragility, comparing themselves to a toy that is in need of fixing.

And you're the puppeteer,
The person the singer is addressing is once again compared to a puppeteer, as though they are the one in charge of making things happen.

Take control for me
The artist once again requests that the other person take charge, suggesting that they feel powerless or insufficient to address their own emotional problems.

And wipe away my fear.
The artist seeks comfort and reassurance from the person they are addressing, hoping that they will dispel their worries and anxieties.