Pale
The Birthday Massacre Lyrics


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I'm looking at a face, a pointed chin
Towards the sky in arrogance
It easily betrays the closest friend
A moment lost, no consequence

A circle starts again, away from you
Deception pulls us in, away from you
Away from you, away from you

Imitation, a fabrication
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?

So how do you portray a sentiment?
Where users brought
The truth is bent
And much to our dismay, they're ignorant
The more that we make up the more it fits

A circle starts again, away from you
Deception pulls us in, away from you
Away from you, away from you

Imitation, a fabrication
A pretty fake, but counterfeit
An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?

This doesn't feel right
Feels like everything's further away
Dead as the nightlife
Hindsight, watching another mistake
We never feel right, warm night
Following into the day
Dead as the street light, pure white
Washing the color away

Imitation, a fabrication
A pretty fake, but counterfeit




An empty carcass behind the artist
Is there a trait of innocence?

Overall Meaning

The Birthday Massacre's song Pale is a commentary on the facade of celebrity and fame. The lyrics suggest that success in the entertainment industry often comes at the cost of sacrificing one's true identity and genuine relationships. The pointed chin referenced in the first verse is a symbol of arrogance and the betrayal of a close friend suggests that celebrities prioritize their own success over their relationships. The repetition of the line "away from you" throughout the song emphasizes this sense of distance and detachment.


The lyrics go on to mention imitation and fabrication, suggesting that the entertainment industry is built on false images and personas. The line "An empty carcass behind the artist" reinforces this theme of inauthenticity. The chorus repeats the idea that deception is pervasive, and that it pulls people further away from their true selves.


The final verse touches on the feeling of disconnection that comes with a life in the limelight. The imagery of dead nightlife and washed-out streetlights paints a picture of a life that is devoid of color and meaning.


Overall, Pale is a mournful reflection on the toll that fame takes on its recipients. The song suggests that the cost of success in the entertainment industry is a loss of identity and a disconnection from reality.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm looking at a face, a pointed chin
Observing a face characterized by its pointed chin


Towards the sky in arrogance
The individual's disposition of conceit which is reflected by their body language


It easily betrays the closest friend
The face's expression reveals the individual's propensity to trick even those familiar with them


A moment lost, no consequence
An insignificant time frame passes


A circle starts again, away from you
Cyclically repeating a series of events, distanced from oneself


Deception pulls us in, away from you
The association with falsehood attracts us, but also distances us from various aspects of our life


Away from you, away from you
Reiterating the removal from one's life


Imitation, a fabrication
An ersatz form, a copy of the original


A pretty fake, but counterfeit
Creating a beautiful lie which is not genuine


An empty carcass behind the artist
A hallow core existing within the artist


Is there a trait of innocence?
Asking the question of whether pure thoughts or intentions exist


So how do you portray a sentiment?
How does one depict an emotion?


Where users brought
A place where individuals are ushered to


The truth is bent
The truth undergoes distortion


And much to our dismay, they're ignorant
Regrettably, they are foolish and unaware


The more that we make up the more it fits
The concept taking shape as more facets are added


This doesn't feel right
A sensation of discomfort


Feels like everything's further away
The impression that all things appear more distant


Dead as the nightlife
An analogy of how the nightlife is listless and worn-out


Hindsight, watching another mistake
Knowing one is making an error after the fact


We never feel right, warm night
An inability to feel at ease on hot evenings


Following into the day
Continuing along with the day's activities


Dead as the street light, pure white
A lifeless street light emits a clean, white light


Washing the color away
Removing any vividness or variety


Imitation, a fabrication
A copy of that which is not real


A pretty fake, but counterfeit
Presenting a beautiful lie that is not authentic


An empty carcass behind the artist
The artist who is lacking substance at the core of their being


Is there a trait of innocence?
Questioning if any unspoiled characteristics are present




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW O'HALLORAN, MICHAEL HANMER, MICHAEL RAINBOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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