Biography by Mark Deming
Pistol Made of Bones
The Arcs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By a pistol made of bones
I got got
By a bullet made of stones
Oh, the earth fuel the flame
But it was only me to blame
I was shot
By a pistol made of bones
The shooter was
A mean and mighty ghost
Ooh yeah
He hated me
Because I loved him most
The ones you should fear
Are often oh so near
I was shot
By a pistol made of bones
Oh, how could I be so blind?
The gun was with me all the time
The ones you should fear
Are often oh-so near
I was shot
I was shot
By a pistol made of bones
The song "Pistol Made of Bones" by The Arcs is a haunting and introspective ballad about the consequences of loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings, with the singer using a pistol made of bones as a metaphor for the emotional wounds inflicted upon them by a former lover. The resonant and soulful voice of lead singer Dan Auerbach draws the listener in as he sings about being shot by a bullet made of stones, highlighting the importance of being mindful of one's own self-destructive tendencies. The lyrics of the song are striking and poignant as they talk about blaming oneself for the emotional turmoil caused by the failed relationship.
The singer is shown to be in a state of regretful understanding that the love they had for the shooter, represented as a "mean and mighty ghost," was one-sided and ultimately futile. The pistol made of bones is a metaphor for the emotional weight that the singer carries, symbolizing the hurt and pain they experienced because of their unrequited feelings. The song concludes with a realization that the shooter was always near and warns the audience through the lyric that "the ones you should fear are often oh so near," bringing a sense of closure to the track.
Line by Line Meaning
I was shot
I was targeted and hit by a firearm
By a pistol made of bones
The gun used to shoot me was made of bones, giving it an eerie and unnatural quality
I got got
I was caught and hit by the bullet, unable to escape its impact
By a bullet made of stones
The projectile used in the firearm was made of stones, emphasizing its destructive power
Oh, the earth fuel the flame
The foundation of my situation was caused by external factors and circumstances beyond my control
But it was only me to blame
Although influenced by outside forces, ultimately the responsibility for the shooting lies with me
The shooter was
The entity responsible for firing the gun
A mean and mighty ghost
The shooter was a malicious and powerful ghost, adding to the haunting and ominous nature of the song
Ooh yeah
An exclamation of emphasis or agreement with the previous statement
He hated me
The shooter had a strong animosity towards me
Because I loved him most
The reason for the shooter's hatred stemmed from my intense love for them, making their attack on me all the more bitter and cruel
The ones you should fear
Those who pose the greatest threat or danger
Are often oh so near
Dangerous individuals or situations can often be found in close proximity, lurking just beneath the surface
Oh, how could I be so blind?
I failed to see the threat posed by the firearm and the shooter, blindsided by my own emotions and desires
The gun was with me all the time
The firearm used to shoot me was in my possession at all times, indicating that I was unaware of the danger I was in and the consequences that would come from it
I was shot
Reiteration of being hit by the firearm
I was shot
Final reiteration of being targeted and hit by the firearm
By a pistol made of bones
Final emphasis on the eerie and supernatural nature of the firearm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Auerbach, Ream Daranoi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind