Burning Bridges
Passenger Lyrics


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Turn into dust, turn into dust...

(...) and my tongue when I was speaking
Block all the holes in my boat to stop me leaking
Always look forward to my best, now I'm peaking
This is me at the top of my tree

'Cause all my medals are starting to rust
And all my maybes are turning to musts
And all my dreams are turning to dust
And it's all because I don't know who to trust

This could be the one for me
But I'm too blind to see
So bring the fire in your eyes
Come on burning bridges with me

(...) when I was drinking
Block all the holes in my boat to stop me sinking
It's all I do just to keep me blinking
Yeah, it's all I do just to keep me thinking

All my colours are fading to grey
And all my smiles are leaving today
All my happiness is fading away
And it's all because I don't know how to say

This could be the one for me
But I'm too blind to see




Bring the fire in your eyes
Come on burning bridges with me

Overall Meaning

In the song Burning Bridges, Passenger expresses his feelings of uncertainty and disorientation regarding life and relationships. The lyrics "turn into dust, turn into dust" suggest the fleeting and temporary nature of life, as well as the inevitability of death. The theme of deterioration continues as the verse speaks of medals rusting and dreams turning to dust, signifying a loss of accomplishment and hope.


The refrain "this could be the one for me, but I'm too blind to see" speaks of missed opportunities and an inability to recognize what is truly important. The line "bring the fire in your eyes, come on burning bridges with me" implies a desire for someone to join him in taking risks and making bold choices, perhaps even leaving behind past mistakes or unhealthy relationships.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of desperation to hold onto something, to find a purpose or a sense of direction. The lines "always look forward to my best, now I'm peaking" and "it's all I do just to keep me thinking" suggest a struggle to maintain one's identity and to keep moving forward, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.


Overall, Burning Bridges is a song that explores the human condition, our fears, doubts, and aspirations. It speaks to the universal struggle of finding meaning in an often confusing and chaotic world.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn into dust, turn into dust...
Repetition of the phrase signifies a cyclical process of decay and loss.


(...) and my tongue when I was speaking
Acknowledgment of past mistakes and regrets, specifically about not being able to communicate properly.


Block all the holes in my boat to stop me leaking
Describes efforts to prevent further damage to oneself through metaphorical means.


Always look forward to my best, now I'm peaking
Celebrating a newfound high point in life after striving for success for a long time.


This is me at the top of my tree
Juxtaposing the imagery of success with the fragility of nature, the line hints at a feeling of precariousness.


'Cause all my medals are starting to rust
Realization of the impermanence of external recognition and awards.


And all my maybes are turning to musts
Illustrates how the singer feels trapped and committed to things they are not sure about.


And all my dreams are turning to dust
Sorrow over the loss of opportunities and idealism.


And it's all because I don't know who to trust
The root cause of the artist's internal conflicts and regrets is their inability to trust others.


This could be the one for me
Hopeful acknowledgement about the potential for a meaningful relationship or experience.


But I'm too blind to see
Self-awareness of the singer's limitations and inability to recognize what's in front of them.


So bring the fire in your eyes
A yearning for passion and intensity in life, symbolized by the metaphor of fire.


Come on burning bridges with me
An invitation to take risks and engage in a process of destruction and renewal.


(...) when I was drinking
Implicitly acknowledging the self-destructive tendencies that accompany substance abuse.


Block all the holes in my boat to stop me sinking
Reiterating the need to protect oneself from harm and downfall.


It's all I do just to keep me blinking
Acknowledging the struggle to find motivation to live under difficult circumstances.


Yeah, it's all I do just to keep me thinking
A desperate attempt to hold on to rational thought and meaningful reflection.


All my colours are fading to grey
A metaphorical description of the loss of vibrancy and variety in life.


And all my smiles are leaving today
Marking a turning point in mood and outlook, signifying a descent into despair.


All my happiness is fading away
A bleak realization of the loss of emotions and positive experiences.


And it's all because I don't know how to say
Once again, the root cause of the artist's pain and confusion is their inability to express themselves or communicate effectively.


This could be the one for me
Reiteration of the hope and possibility for something better.


But I'm too blind to see
Reiteration of the singer's shortcomings and limitations.


Bring the fire in your eyes
Reiteration of the desire for passion and intensity in life.


Come on burning bridges with me
Reiteration of the invitation to take risks and embrace change.




Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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