Gold on the Ceiling
The Black Keys Lyrics

Down in the waves
The singer is experiencing emotional turmoil, perhaps linked to being overwhelmed with life's challenges or feeling lost and adrift.

She screams again
The emotional turmoil is causing the singer to feel like they aural screams can be heard inside his mind or in the real world.

Roar at the door
The singer hears a forceful knocking or shouting at his door, adding to his feelings of anxiety and distress.

My mind can't take much more
The singer's mental state is unsteady, as they seem to be reaching a breaking point with the overwhelming stress they are dealing with.

I could never drown in
The singer believes that they can not be overwhelmed or defeated by their problems, even if they feel like they are at the edge of a breaking point.

They wanna get my
The singer senses that someone is trying to take something of theirs, possibly indicating that other people are trying to capitalize on his vulnerability in troubled times.

Gold on the ceiling
The 'gold' represents the singer's most valuable possession or prize, something that is highly desirable and worth fighting to keep.

I ain't blind
The singer is aware of the threat coming from outside forces, and is taking measures to protect himself and what's precious to him.

Just a matter of time
The singer knows that the danger of losing his 'gold' can't be avoided forever, there will eventually come a time when he will be unable to protect it.

Before you steal it
The singer's inner voice is speaking directly to the external threat he is facing, acknowledging that someone is trying to take something away from him.

It's alright
The singer is resigned to the fact that some things are beyond his control, but at least his conscious is clear in the face of difficulty.

Ain't no blood in my eye
The singer is not going to lash out in anger or malice, despite what he may be going through. He has self-control and is not easily rattled.

Clouds covered love's
The song shifts to talking about a more personal issue related to love and relationships, with the 'clouds' representing a barrier or obstacle to finding true love.

Barbed-wire fence
The barrier/challenge facing the singer is a 'barbed-wire fence' as it is painful/dangerous to try and cross it without being injured.

Strung up, strung out
The obstacle is causing the singer to feel tense and agitated, like being strung up and unable to relax, made worse by the fact that they are hanging on the 'barbed wire' and don't know how to get across safely.

I just can't go without
The desire to find love/heal the relationship is so strong that the singer can't seem to move on or give up hope despite the difficult circumstances.