Teardrop
Portishead & Massive Attack Lyrics


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Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath

Night, night of matter
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my

Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Fearless on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath





You're stumbling in the dark
You're stumbling in the dark

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Teardrop by Portishead and Massive Attack explore the complex nature of love and the emotions associated with it. The opening lines, "Love, love is a verb, love is a doing word," suggest that love is something that must be actively pursued and engaged with, rather than simply felt passively. The repetition of "fearless on my breath" throughout the song emphasizes the idea of bravery in the face of difficult or intense emotions, particularly in the context of a romantic relationship. The image of a teardrop falling on a fire suggests the destructive potential of powerful emotions like love and desire, and the need to control and channel these emotions in a positive way.


The second verse introduces the contrasting symbols of "night" and "black flowers," which create a sense of darkness and foreboding. However, the repeated phrase "fearless on my breath" suggests a determination to confront these negative emotions and find light in the darkness. The third verse adds another layer to the song's themes, as the singer describes water as a "faithful mirror." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for self-reflection and the need to look within oneself in order to understand and navigate the complexities of love and relationships. The final line, "You're stumbling in the dark," drives home the idea that love is often unpredictable and can leave us feeling lost and disoriented.


Line by Line Meaning

Love, love is a verb
Love is not just a feeling, it's an action that one does


Love is a doing word
Love requires one to take action and do something


Fearless on my breath
Without fear, I am breathing calmly and confidently


Gentle impulsion
A soft prompting or urging that is driving me forward


Shakes me, makes me lighter
The impulsion is both shaking and lifting me, allowing me to become weightless


Teardrop on the fire
A tear falling onto the flames, extinguishing them


Night, night of matter
The darkness around me is a physical thing, not just an absence of light


Black flowers blossom
Even in the darkness, beautiful things are growing


Water is my eye
My tears are flowing like a river


Most faithful mirror
The water reflects back to me the most honest version of myself


Of a confession
The teardrop on the fire is a confession of my emotions


You're stumbling in the dark
You are struggling to find your way in the darkness




Lyrics © Music Hub O/B/O GEMA, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elizabeth Fraser, Robert Del Naja, Grantley Marshall, Andrew Vowles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@princessmakaba8717

This song feels like a taste of life and death.
Ice and fire.
Love and hate.
A taste of dreams and nightmares.
Fear and Joy.
Like witnessing the birth of a baby
And seeing someone bleed to death later that day.
I can't put my finger on it but it's there.
It's a crisp taste I can't describe.



All comments from YouTube:

@danplewnarz

In case anyone didn't know, Geoff Barrow the brains behind Portishead was first a studio tech for Massive Attack, when he was still a teenager.
He recorded a demo of "Sour Times" using leftover studio time that Massive Attack had paid for.

The fuzzy distortion of "Roads" isn't digital, he recorded the tracks on vinyl then rode over them with his skateboard.

@TheSoldier0fortunE

Thats a useless fact im totally gonna take and use in the future on a random 5am comedown when i put on some massive attack or portishead when everyone can barely string a sentence together. Thanks man.

@amystabile7789

That's so gangster. 👍✌️❤️

@TheGreenEarthKitty

@@TheSoldier0fortunE ideal 🥰

@Onmy47s

I feel.. no moooooore.

@francesgames

not totally useless then
😌@@TheSoldier0fortunE

1 More Replies...

@DarthMomo85

It's been 3 years since I heard this mash up for the first time.
It was the first time we met, this mash up played in the bar we went to, and that night I knew she was the One.
203 days later we broke up, but I never stopped loving her, and not a day goes by without me regretting that I didn't tell her how much I love her..

@cbrue1896

These two songs meld together so well. Two fantastic songs by two groups that don't get enough love.

@merrynothing3204

Shhh... they get the absolute right amount of love - those who recognise their beauty and artistry. I don't want them to blow up in a trend on tiktok or whatever. They are special that way. Best to keep it secret so it maintains the authenticity <3 ;) One of the rare moments that the stupid phrase "the ones who get it, get it, the ones who don't, don't" applies IMO.

@jamesrosado2929

It’s Epic.

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