These Words Are Bullets
The Flatliners Lyrics


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Cover your blackened eyes, and forget about this mess
If I haven't destroyed every little thing...
We could leave in the middle of the night
With the worst behind us
WE'll smoke these days away until the day we die

You better stop before you hurt yourself
These words are bullets, have you caught one yet?

Don't give me those sunken eyes
This train is racing my heartbeat
The lights all slowly fade and stop, stop at a glow
Just give me what I need, I'll swallow anything you know

I don't wanna die empty
I don't wanna live along the lines of ruining everybody's lives

We are the dead generation on a heart attack mission
We're the black-eyed population making heart attack decisions

We better stop before we hurt ourselves
These words are bullets, have you caught one yet?

And life is lying in shambles on the floor
And if you haven't been motherfucked yet, you'll get yours

We better stop before you hurt yourself
These words are bullets, have you caught one yet?
These words are bullets from the gun you've been hiding from me





We are the dead generation, staring down the barrel of your gun
You're gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "These Words Are Bullets" by The Flatliners are a powerful expression of the consequences of hurtful words and destructive behavior. The song begins with the singer addressing someone with blackened eyes, telling them to forget about the mess they've made and suggesting they leave everything behind. The line "we'll smoke these days away until the day we die" is a bitter statement about their belief that their lives are already ruined, and they have nothing to lose.


The chorus of the song repeats the warning that the words that hurt others can also harm oneself, and the lines "these words are bullets, have you caught one yet?" is a vivid analogy for the destructive power of unpleasant, violent speech. The song's bridge reflects the desperation of the singer, who is willing to do anything to avoid dying or causing further damage to others. The lyrics also express a fear of living a life that hurts or disrupts others.


The repeated use of the words "dead generation" and "heart-attack mission" in the chorus is a reflection of the nihilistic attitude the singer has about life. The line "staring down the barrel of your gun, you're gone" in the final verse can be interpreted as a declaration by the singer to stop being hurtful to themselves and others and start a new chapter in their life.


Line by Line Meaning

Cover your blackened eyes, and forget about this mess
Try to hide the damage I've done, ignore the consequences


If I haven't destroyed every little thing...
If there's anything left to save...


We could leave in the middle of the night
Escape from our problems


With the worst behind us
Hopefully the biggest issues are resolved


WE'll smoke these days away until the day we die
Use drugs as a temporary escape from reality until the end


You better stop before you hurt yourself
Words can be just as damaging as physical harm


These words are bullets, have you caught one yet?
Verbal attacks can be just as dangerous as a physical weapon


Don't give me those sunken eyes
Don't make me feel guilty or pity you


This train is racing my heartbeat
Feeling anxious or panicked


The lights all slowly fade and stop, stop at a glow
Life is slowly slipping away


Just give me what I need, I'll swallow anything you know
Desperate for anything that can numb the pain


I don't wanna die empty
Not wanting a meaningless life


I don't wanna live along the lines of ruining everybody's lives
Not wanting to cause harm to others


We are the dead generation on a heart attack mission
Feeling like we're already doomed


We're the black-eyed population making heart attack decisions
Making choices that will only lead to destruction


And life is lying in shambles on the floor
Everything has fallen apart


And if you haven't been motherfucked yet, you'll get yours
If you haven't faced consequences for your actions, you will


These words are bullets from the gun you've been hiding from me
The hurtful words being spoken are just as deadly as a weapon


We are the dead generation, staring down the barrel of your gun
Feeling powerless and hopeless


You're gone
Giving up and accepting defeat




Contributed by Penelope F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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