Tempest
Pendulum. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Acting like it wouldn't happen
Making sense of anything that you could find
Because it's just about to happen and you'll be there
You must've known the storm was coming
When the clouds appeared
And join the circus of people
While you're there
Something is changing, bruising and taking
And I'm trying to find out what it is
When I fix her, she's breaking, reason keeps escaping me
We're protecting and burning like a cyst
I know that I can help you, I just don't fucking want to
And the feeling is stronger by the day
Say that I'm selfish but I know you need me
Said I'm just so sick of the chase
While you are letting your guard down
I will be letting myself go
While you keep running your ship aground
I will be setting myself alight
Too late you dropped the drawbridge, you let the vampires in
You caused the shit to happen and now you want out
Too late you dropped the drawbridge, you let the vampires in
I hope you know now that it's nobody's fault but yours
While you are letting your guard down
I will be letting myself go
While you keep running your ship aground
I will be setting myself alight
The lyrics to Pendulum's song The Tempest seem to be about a person who is feeling defeated and undermined but is still trying to make sense of what is happening around them. The opening lines, "Saw you the other day looking so undermined, Acting like it wouldn't happen, Making sense of anything that you could find," suggest that the person is trying to deny the inevitability of something that is about to happen.
The theme of impending doom continues in the next set of lyrics with the lines, "Because it's just about to happen and you'll be there, You must've known the storm was coming, When the clouds appeared." The person seems to have known that something bad was coming but chose to ignore it. The song then goes on to talk about change, bruising, and trying to find meaning in it all. The lyrics suggest that the person is struggling to hold on to something and is frustrated with their inability to find a way out.
As the song progresses, the tone becomes more confrontational with lines like, "I know that I can help you, I just don't fucking want to" and "Said I'm just so sick of the chase." There is a sense of anger and resentment directed at someone who constantly needs help and support. The final lines, "I hope you know now that it's nobody's fault but yours, While you keep running your ship aground," suggest that the person is ultimately responsible for their own problems and that others can only do so much to try and help them.
Overall, The Tempest seems to be a song about frustration, anger, and the struggle to find meaning in difficult situations. It suggests that sometimes we need to let go of our guard and embrace change, even if it means setting ourselves alight.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw you the other day looking so undermined
I saw you the other day and you looked defeated and hopeless.
Acting like it wouldn't happen
Even though the inevitable was bound to happen, you acted like it wouldn't.
Making sense of anything that you could find
You tried to make sense of anything that could possibly help you in this situation.
Because it's just about to happen and you'll be there
The event is about to occur, and you'll be present for it.
You must've known the storm was coming
It's likely that you were expecting something turbulent to happen.
When the clouds appeared
Your sense of dread heightened upon seeing the clouds.
May as well let the rain come down
At this point, it's better to accept the inevitable and let it happen.
And join the circus of people
It's important to recognize that you aren't alone, and that others are going through similar trials and tribulations.
While you're there
At this point, it's best to be present and accept everything as it's happening.
Something is changing, bruising and taking
Something is happening that is affecting you deeply and causing pain.
And I'm trying to find out what it is
I'm actively attempting to understand and make sense of the situation.
When I fix her, she's breaking, reason keeps escaping me
Even when I try to mend the situation, it only breaks further, and I can't find a logical explanation for it.
We're protecting and burning like a cyst
We're trying to protect ourselves, but the situation is simultaneously hurting us.
I know that I can help you, I just don't fucking want to
I understand that I have the ability to assist you, but I don't have the desire to do so.
And the feeling is stronger by the day
My apathy towards helping is increasing with each passing day.
Say that I'm selfish but I know you need me
You may view me as selfish, but you still depend on me.
Said I'm just so sick of the chase
I'm tired of trying to fix things and always feeling like I'm getting nowhere.
While you are letting your guard down
While you become vulnerable and open yourself up to others.
I will be letting myself go
I'll be releasing my hold on control and allowing myself to relax.
While you keep running your ship aground
While you continue to make mistakes that harm you and others.
I will be setting myself alight
I'll be igniting my own passions and desires, and focusing on my own life.
Too late you dropped the drawbridge, you let the vampires in
You made a mistake by allowing harmful people into your life.
You caused the shit to happen and now you want out
You were responsible for a bad situation, but now you want to just leave it behind.
I hope you know now that it's nobody's fault but yours
I hope you realize that the situation is a result of your own actions and choices.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT SWIRE THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind