Karen's ballade
Sebastian M.W. Lyrics
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Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I push it down, push it down
I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
The lyrics to "Chandelier" by Sia tell the story of a person who uses partying to numb themselves from the emotional pain of their life. The opening lines of "Party girls don't get hurt, can't feel anything, when will I learn?" suggest that the singer is using partying as a coping mechanism to avoid feeling their emotions. They "push it down" and continue to party and drink ("1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink, throw 'em back 'til I lose count"). The chorus talks about swinging from the chandelier and living like tomorrow doesn't exist, which suggests a reckless abandon that is ultimately unsustainable. The singer is holding on for dear life and refusing to look down or open their eyes. They keep their glass full until morning light and are just holding on for tonight.
Overall, the message of the song is about the destructive nature of using partying and substance abuse to avoid emotions. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm just holding on for tonight," which conveys a sense of desperation and a lack of long-term solutions. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "On for tonight" which implies that the singer is still stuck in this cycle of partying and avoiding their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Party girls don't get hurt
Girls who go to parties are perceived as people who cannot be hurt emotionally and physically due to their wild lifestyles.
Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I have desensitized myself to the point that I cannot feel any physical or emotional pain, and I wonder when I will realize the error of my ways.
I push it down, push it down
I suppress my feelings and pain inside of me.
I'm the one "for a good time call"
I am known as the person who is always down to have a good time and party.
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
My phone is constantly being bombarded with calls and messages, and people are coming to my house looking for me.
I feel the love, feel the love
Despite my lifestyle, I feel loved by those around me.
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, drink
I am counting my drinks as I consume them.
Throw 'em back 'til I lose count
I drink until I am unable to keep track of how many drinks I have had.
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I am going to let loose and have a wild time, like swinging from a hanging light fixture.
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
I am going to live in the moment and not worry about the consequences of my actions tomorrow.
Like it doesn't exist
I will ignore the reality of tomorrow and live solely in the present.
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I will experience a sense of freedom while flying through the night, and I will cry until all of my emotions are dried up.
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
I am holding on tightly to my lifestyle and refuse to acknowledge the potential consequences of my actions.
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I will keep drinking and partying until the morning comes, as I am only holding on to this lifestyle for tonight.
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
I need help to let go of my wild lifestyle, but I am too afraid to face reality and the consequences of my actions.
Sun is up, I'm a mess
The morning has come, and I am in a state of disarray.
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
I need to leave and escape from this lifestyle.
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
I am beginning to feel ashamed of my actions and lifestyle.
On for tonight
I am only continuing with this lifestyle for tonight.
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I am only holding on to this lifestyle for the present moment, as I am too afraid to face the reality of my actions.
Writer(s): Sebastian Wilken
Contributed by Aiden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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