Signals in Smoke
The Devils Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Signals in smoke fade away
The signs on the screen tell me
You won't stay What we can't see
Will never change & the bells of your costume

Have rung there last change
We had so much & nothing to loose
Signals in smoke tell me
We all loose





Overall Meaning

The Devil's song "Signals in Smoke" is a melancholic recollection of a relationship that has fallen apart. The titular phrase "Signals in smoke" is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of relationships; they are transient and vulnerable to being broken down at any time. The line "The signs on the screen tell me you won't stay" suggests that the singer is trying to hold onto a relationship that is slipping away from them. The use of the screen imagery adds a layer of distance and detachment to the lyrics, as if the relationship itself was always mediated by technology.


The following lines "What we can't see will never change & the bells of your costume have rung their last change" further underline the sense of loss and finality. Despite whatever love and hope the singer has invested in the relationship, it has failed to yield a lasting connection. The use of the phrase "bells of your costume" is also intriguing, suggesting that the relationship was just a facade, a performance in which the singer was a willing participant but ultimately was left to fade away. The final line "Signals in smoke tell me we all lose" suggests a universal truth, that all relationships are doomed to fail and that we are all just watching the signals fade away.


Line by Line Meaning

Signals in smoke fade away
The hints we receive are fleeting and temporary, and will eventually disappear.


The signs on the screen tell me
I am relying on electronic cues to convey information to me.


You won't stay What we can't see
I know you won't be with me for the long-term, and there are things about the future that can never be predicted.


Will never change & the bells of your costume
Certain aspects of life are unalterable, and the outward appearances people put on can be deceiving.


Have rung there last change
The opportunity for change has passed, and nothing else can be done.


We had so much & nothing to loose
There was a lot at stake, but no matter what happened, there wouldn't be any significant loss.


Signals in smoke tell me
The clues I'm receiving suggest that something unpleasant is about to occur.


We all loose
In the end, we are all defeated.




Contributed by Caleb G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

walriley48

Love this track. Love the album.

Peter Alston

Ah, great song, and a great video, I reckon they would have done something very similar - must do a cover version, maybe my laptop but I thought a really deep bass kicked quite early

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