1) A Montreal-based psychobil… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists with this name:
1) A Montreal-based psychobilly horror-punk band.
2) An Atlanta-based New Wave band who released two albums in the early eighties, both produced by Steve Lillywhite. Notable releases include “Money Changes Everything,” later covered by Cyndi Lauper.
Break
The Brains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and tear it all apart
let the crimson flow away
break the skin
and tear it all apart
let the crimson flow away
the wall of smoke
bomb blast shakes
strain to hold the fear
a sky of bullets
the barrels growing hot
nerves like steel
come on and take the shot
the blood runs thick
deep just like the sea
the bodies piled high
reach above the trees
you'll never know
when it all will end
live for today
with death around the bend
The lyrics to The Brains' song "Break" depict the intense and chaotic nature of war. The chorus, "break the skin and tear it all apart, let the crimson flow away," suggests a violent and destructive force. This is a metaphor for the act of breaking through barriers and boundaries in a way that destroys everything in its path. The use of the color red, specifically "crimson," is often associated with bloodshed, adding to the chaotic imagery.
The second verse, "the wall of smoke drawing ever nearer, bomb blast shakes, strain to hold the fear," describes the intense fear and anxiety that war brings. The "sky of bullets" and "barrels growing hot" add to the sense of danger and uncertainty. The idea that "nerves like steel" are necessary in this situation speaks to the idea that soldiers must be tough and stoic in the face of such chaos and destruction.
The final verse, "the blood runs thick, deep just like the sea, the bodies piled high, reach above the trees," adds to the imagery of death and destruction. The mention of death being "around the bend" speaks to the unpredictable nature of war and how it can end lives at any moment. The final line, "live for today," suggests that in the face of such chaos and destruction, one must focus on the present moment and live without fear.
Line by Line Meaning
break the skin
Start the injury
and tear it all apart
Damage everything, completely
let the crimson flow away
Allow the blood to flow freely
the wall of smoke
An obscuring, opaque sheet of smoke
drawing ever nearer
Approaching ever closer
bomb blast shakes
Explosion jars and rattles
strain to hold the fear
Coping with intense fear
a sky of bullets
A rainstorm of bullets falling from above
the barrels growing hot
The guns continuously firing, heating up
nerves like steel
Gathering mental resilience and toughness
come on and take the shot
Motivating oneself to shoot, however challenging or dangerous it may be
the blood runs thick
Blood flows consistently, unhindered
deep just like the sea
The blood runs deep, akin to the vastness of the sea
the bodies piled high
Dead bodies accummulate, reaching great heights
reach above the trees
Bodies surpass the level of the trees
you'll never know
It's impossible to predict or anticipate
when it all will end
When the whole event will culminate and conclude
live for today
Make the most of the moment, since the future is uncertain
with death around the bend
Being imminently confronted by death
Contributed by Leo C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.