Chains
The Bricats Lyrics
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And they ain't the kind that you can see.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me. Yeah!
Chains, well I can't break away from these chains,
Can't run around 'cause I'm not free.
Whoa, these chains of love won't let me be. Yeah!
I'd like to hold you, but, darling, I'm imprisoned by these
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me, Yeah!
I wanna tell you pretty baby, your lips look sweet.
I'd like to kiss them, But I can't break away from all these
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me, Yeah!
The lyrics to The Bricats's song "Chains" speak of being trapped in love, unable to break free from the grip that this particular lover has on the singer's heart. While the word "chains" usually elicits ideas of physical restraints, the singer emphasizes that these chains aren't visible, but rather emotional and psychological, indicating that the relationship isn't necessarily abusive but the singer has lost all of their autonomy because of the way they feel about their lover.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is very much in love with their partner but has been imprisoned by their desire for one another, meaning that they can't seem to break free from this passionate, dangerous love. They express wanting to be with their love interest, and being physically and emotionally connected to them but feels confined by the constraints of the relationship. The chorus highlights the gravity of the situation, with the "chains of love" having "a hold on me," emphasizing the inescapable nature of the feelings the singer is experiencing.
To sum it up, "Chains" by The Bricats is about the singer feeling stuck in a passionate, intense relationship that they can't escape, and while they're entirely consumed by their feelings, it's also disabling to them, which is where the metaphorical "chains" come in.
Line by Line Meaning
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
The singer feels imprisoned in their relationship because they are emotionally bound to their partner.
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
The chains which bind the singer to their partner are emotional and psychological, rather than physical.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me. Yeah!
The singer is aware that their emotions are controlling them, and they are unable to escape the situation.
Chains, well I can't break away from these chains,
Despite their desire to break free from their partner, the singer feels like they are unable to.
Can't run around 'cause I'm not free.
The singer feels like they are being held back by their emotions and is unable to act freely.
Whoa, these chains of love won't let me be. Yeah!
The singer is unable to focus on anything else because they are so consumed by their emotions towards their partner.
Now believe me when I tell you I think you're fine.
The singer is still attracted to their partner despite feeling trapped in the relationship.
I'd like to hold you, but, darling, I'm imprisoned by these
The singer desires physical intimacy but is unable to act on it because they are emotionally trapped.
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
The singer is emphasizing how they feel trapped by their emotions towards their partner.
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
The singer is reiterating that their emotional chains are not visible to outsiders.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me, Yeah!
The singer is once again emphasizing that their emotions are controlling them.
I wanna tell you pretty baby, your lips look sweet.
The singer is still attracted to their partner despite feeling trapped in the relationship.
I'd like to kiss them, But I can't break away from all these
The singer desires physical intimacy but is unable to act on it because they are emotionally trapped.
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
The singer is restating their emotional entrapment in the relationship.
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
The singer is restating that their emotional chains are not visible to outsiders.
Whoa, it's chains of love got a hold on me, Yeah!
The singer is emphasizing that their emotions are controlling them and they are unable to break free from the relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind