Before The Fire
Santigold (born Santi White on September 25, 1976) is a musician, songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴Santigold (born Santi White on September 25, 1976) is a musician, songwriter and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA who formerly went under the stage name Santogold. She is perhaps best known for the song L.E.S. Artistes which became a hit in the UK and on American alternative radio.

In February 2009, she officially changed her stage name to Santigold as a result of infomercial jeweller Santo Gold threatening legal action against White and her label Downtown Records.

White was lead singer of the Philadelphia-based punk rock band Stiffed, but while in the band, she was offered a solo contract. Working with fellow Stiffed member John Hill as co-producer, she recorded her debut album, Santogold, which was released in April 2008. Upon the change of her stage name, her label Downtown Records issued this press release:

"Change the graffiti on the bathroom wall, get your tattoo fixed, get your T-shirt airbrushed and change the name on your year-end list: Santogold is now Santigold. She's not telling you why, that's just how it is."

Before The Fire
Santigold Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes

I never wanted much
I never complained
Only want a little love sometimes
I just need a little touch
A little color on a greyscale
Or I forget to inhale sometimes

Now I don't even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it's far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I'm up in flames?

But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire

I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes

I don't have another heart
Don't remember how to say
I don't want you to let me down sometimes
I already know this part
Leave it for another day
Wish it wasn't this hard sometimes

Now I don't even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it's far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I'm up in flames?

But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire

Before the fire
Before the fire




Before the fire
Before the fire

Overall Meaning

"Before The Fire" by Santigold delves into the complex emotions surrounding a turbulent relationship. The lyrics express a longing for love and connection, but also a hesitance to fully trust and let someone in. The repetition of "I want it sometimes" and "Sometimes, sometimes" reflects the inconsistent nature of these desires. The singer acknowledges that they don't ask for much and only crave a little love and affection occasionally. The metaphor of adding color to a greyscale represents the need for excitement and passion in life, a reminder to oneself to appreciate the small joys.


However, the song takes a darker turn in the chorus. The singer reflects on past burns and experiences of pain in relationships. They question whether their partner truly wants to stay and save the relationship, considering the look of despair on their face when everything was falling apart. There is a sense of bitterness and resignation in the lines, "Oh, you want to be my healer, now that I'm up in flames?". The singer here recognizes the insincerity or belatedness of the partner's attempts to fix things.


Overall, "Before The Fire" explores the complexities of love, trust, and the fear of getting hurt again. It captures the conflicting emotions of longing for love while being cautious and protecting oneself based on past experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

I want it sometimes
Occasionally, I desire something


I want it sometimes
Occasionally, I desire something


I want it sometimes
Occasionally, I desire something


Sometimes, sometimes
At times, I feel this way


I want it sometimes
Occasionally, I desire something


Sometimes, sometimes
At times, I feel this way


I never wanted much
I never desired a lot


I never complained
I never expressed dissatisfaction


Only want a little love sometimes
Just seeking a bit of affection occasionally


I just need a little touch
I simply require a gentle contact


A little color on a greyscale
Some vibrance in a monotonous world


Or I forget to inhale sometimes
Otherwise, I may neglect to breathe occasionally


Now I don't even know if you want to stay
Currently unsure if you wish to remain


Saw you when it all burned down
Observed you during the destruction


That look was on your face
That expression was visible in your countenance


Now you want to save this house
Now you desire to rescue this dwelling


Well it's far too late
Unfortunately, it is now beyond repair


Oh, you want to be my healer
Oh, now you wish to be the one to restore me


Now that I'm up in flames?
Now that I am engulfed in fire?


But I was burned before the fire
Yet, I was scarred prior to the blaze


I don't have another heart
I lack an additional heart


Don't remember how to say
I do not recall how to express


I don't want you to let me down sometimes
I do not desire for you to disappoint me occasionally


I already know this part
I am already familiar with this aspect


Leave it for another day
Defer it to a future occasion


Wish it wasn't this hard sometimes
I wish it was not this challenging occasionally


Before the fire
Prior to the blaze


Before the fire
Prior to the blaze


Before the fire
Prior to the blaze


Before the fire
Prior to the blaze




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Samuel Joseph Dew, Santi White, David Andrew Sitek

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

Harsh Agrawal

I want it sometimes

I never wanted much
I never complained
Only want a little love sometimes
I just need a little touch
A little color on a greyscale
Or I forget to inhale sometimes

Now I don’t even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it’s far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I’m up in flames

But I was burned before the fire (I'm burned up)

I want it sometimes

I don’t have another heart
Don’t remember how to say
I don’t want you to let me down sometimes
I already know this part
Leave it for another day
Wish it wasn’t this hard sometimes

Now I don’t even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it’s far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I’m up in flames

But I was burned before the fire (I'm burned up)

Before the fire



Jada

I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes

I never wanted much
I never complained
Only want a little love sometimes
I just need a little touch
A little color on a greyscale
Or I forget to inhale sometimes

Now I don't even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it's far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I'm up in flames?

But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire

I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes
I want it sometimes
I want it sometimes

I don't have another heart
Don't remember how to say
I don't want you to let me down sometimes
I already know this part
Leave it for another day
Wish it wasn't this hard sometimes

Now I don't even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it's far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I'm up in flames?

But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire
But I was burned before the fire

Before the fire
Before the fire
Before the fire
Before the fire



All comments from YouTube:

Harsh Agrawal

I want it sometimes

I never wanted much
I never complained
Only want a little love sometimes
I just need a little touch
A little color on a greyscale
Or I forget to inhale sometimes

Now I don’t even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it’s far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I’m up in flames

But I was burned before the fire (I'm burned up)

I want it sometimes

I don’t have another heart
Don’t remember how to say
I don’t want you to let me down sometimes
I already know this part
Leave it for another day
Wish it wasn’t this hard sometimes

Now I don’t even know if you want to stay
Saw you when it all burned down
That look was on your face
Now you want to save this house
Well it’s far too late
Oh, you want to be my healer
Now that I’m up in flames

But I was burned before the fire (I'm burned up)

Before the fire

abc xyz

Appreciate the lyrics

Levell Holland

Thank u

Seth Browder

I've not been blown away by an entire album in some time. this whole album is freakin amazing.

Money Mark

P.O.W.E.R. 🔥🔥🔥‼️

Alecu

wow, I've forgot about Santigold for so many years, today I've listened to at least 20 Santigold tracks which are all fire!

Glassboulders

She’s about to drop a new album. Keep an eye out. 👀

Nicky D

This song is so dark and haunting... I love it!!!

Alex C.

Such a good song. Santigold is a gem.

Catherine Chase

This track is incredible! I Can't stop groovin to this beat, I super dig the new Santigold album.

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