Portishead are an English band formed in 1991 in Bristol. Portishead are na… Read Full Bio ↴Portishead are an English band formed in 1991 in Bristol. Portishead are named after Portishead, Somerset, eight miles west of Bristol, along the coast. The band comprises vocalist Beth Gibbons, producer Geoff Barrow and musician Adrian Utley.

Portishead's debut album, Dummy (1994), fused hip hop production with an atmospheric, cinematic style reminiscent of spy film soundtracks. The album was met with commercial and critical acclaim, quickly becoming a landmark album in the emerging trip hop genre. However, the band disliked being associated with the term, and would consciously step away from that sound on later releases. Two other studio albums have been issued: Portishead in 1997 and Third in 2008, both of which received similar acclaim. In 1998, the band released a concert album, Roseland NYC Live.

It's a Fire
Portishead Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's a fire
These dreams they pass me by
This salvation I desire
Keeps getting me down
'Cause we need to
Recognize mistakes
For time and again
So let it be known for what we believe in

I can see no reason for it to fail

'Cause this life is a farce
I can't breathe through this mask
Like a fool
So breathe on, sister breathe on

From this oneself
Testify or tell
It's fooling us now
So let it be known for what we believe in
I can see no reason for it to fail

'Cause this life is a farce
I can't breathe through this mask
Like a fool

So breathe on, little sister, breathe on
Oh so breathe on, little sister, like a fool

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Portishead's song It's a Fire delve into multiple themes, but one of the main ones is the burden of living a life that feels like a performance or a masquerade. The opening line "These dreams they pass me by" sets a pensive tone, hinting at unfulfilled aspirations or missed opportunities. The singer then expresses their desire for "salvation," which can be interpreted as a longing for meaning, purpose, or release from suffering. However, this longing only seems to exacerbate their feelings of frustration and hopelessness, as they confess that it "keeps getting me down."

The chorus shifts the focus to the collective, urging listeners to "recognize mistakes/for time and again" and to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of uncertainty. The line "I can see no reason for it to fail" suggests a glimmer of optimism in an otherwise bleak landscape. However, the next verse returns to the singer's perspective and emphasizes their feeling of suffocation, both metaphorically ("I can't breathe through this mask") and literally ("Like a fool"). In the final lines, the singer addresses a "little sister," perhaps a younger or more vulnerable version of themselves or someone else who feels similarly lost. The repetition of "breathe on" can be viewed as a gentle encouragement to keep going despite the challenges of existence.

Line by Line Meaning

It's a fire
There is an intense feeling of passion or desire burning inside of me.

These dreams they pass me by
I am constantly losing focus on my aspirations and desires.

This salvation I desire
I am seeking a form of deliverance or escape from my current struggles.

Keeps getting me down
Despite my efforts, I am unable to find the solution to my problems and it is affecting my state of mind.

'Cause we need to
It is imperative that we take action.

Recognize mistakes
We need to acknowledge our errors and learn from them.

For time and again
This is a recurring issue that needs to be addressed.

So let it be known for what we believe in
It is important that we stand by our principles and make them known.

I can see no reason for it to fail
I am confident that our efforts will yield successful results.

'Cause this life is a farce
Life may seem meaningless or absurd at times.

I can't breathe through this mask
I am struggling to be my authentic self and feel constrained.