Flesh And Bone
The Killers저 Lyrics
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Refusing to heed the yield
I penetrate the force fields in the blind
They say I'll adjust, God knows I must
But I'm not sure how
This natural selection picked me out to be
A dark horse running in a fantasy
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
Somewhere outside that finish line
I square up and break through the chains
And I hit like a raging bull
Anointed by the blood, I take the reins
Cut from the cloth of a flag that bears the name of "Battle Born"
They'll call me the contender
They'll listen for the bell
With my face flashing crimson from the fires of hell
(What are you afraid of?)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
Man, I'm turning on a dime (flesh and bone)
(This could decay)
This could decay like the valley below
Defenses are down
The stakes are high (scouting the crowd for a face of compassion)
The fairytale end (to face off the journey that fathers no more)
The staggering blow (you'll find the truth in the roots of desire)
You lead with your chin (thinkin' with your corners, just a compass and the sun)
This could be real (thinkin' with your corners, just a)
Simple
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
What are you made of?
He faces forward, trading in his blindness for the world of love
And time is raging, may it rage in vain
And you always had it, but you never knew
So boots and saddles, get on your feet
There's no surrender, 'cause there's no retreat
The bells are sounding, bring this match to an end
We are the descendants of giant men
The lyrics to The Killers' song "Flesh and Bone" are about perseverance and overcoming obstacles in life. The song opens up with the singer stating that he has gone through life with a white-knuckled grip, refusing to give up even in moments where he feels left behind. He has broken through force fields despite being blind, and this natural selection has picked him to be a dark horse running in a fantasy. The lyrics then shift to somewhere outside the finish line where the singer squares up and breaks through the chains, hitting like a raging bull. He is anointed by the blood and takes the reins, cut from the cloth of a flag that bears the name of "Battle Born," indicating strength and resilience. He knows he will be seen as the contender, and people will listen for the bell with his face flashing crimson from the fires of hell.
The second verse asks the question - what are you made of? The stakes are high, and this could all decay like the valley below. The singer thinks that some people think with their corners, and a compass and sun are enough to find the truth in the roots of desire. Still, he knows that he is running out of time and must use all his flesh and bone to overcome the obstacles he faces. The song then ends with the singer facing forward, trading his blindness for the world of love. He knows that life's time is always raging and may rage in vain, but he always had the strength within himself all along.
Line by Line Meaning
I've gone through life white-knuckled in the moments that left me behind
I've lived my life holding on tight, unable to let go of past failures and disappointments
Refusing to heed the yield
Ignoring the advice to slow down and relax
I penetrate the force fields in the blind
I charge ahead without knowing exactly what obstacles lie ahead
They say I'll adjust, God knows I must
Others have faith that I'll adapt to whatever challenges come my way
But I'm not sure how
But I'm not confident in my ability to do so
This natural selection picked me out to be
I was chosen by fate to be something special
A dark horse running in a fantasy
Something unexpected, unknown or mysterious that's trying to make fantasies come true (especially in the realm of love and relationships)
(Flesh and bone)
The reality of my existence as a human being
And I'm running out of time (flesh and bone)
I'm aware of the limited nature of human life and the pressure to achieve before it's too late
Somewhere outside that finish line
There is a goal that needs to be reached
I square up and break through the chains
I prepare myself with an intense focus and determination to break through any obstacles
And I hit like a raging bull
I come out fiercely, ready to take on any challenge
Anointed by the blood, I take the reins
Through the trials and tribulations I have experienced, I have gained the leadership role
Cut from the cloth of a flag that bears the name of "Battle Born"
My character is associated with the ideals of patriotism and war
They'll call me the contender
People will recognize my abilities and my potential to win
They'll listen for the bell
Others are waiting for the signal to begin this contest
With my face flashing crimson from the fires of hell
I have been through a lot and have scars to show for it
(What are you afraid of?)
An introspective question, asking what it is that one fears
And what are you made of? (Flesh and bone)
Asking what one is truly made of as a human, given the limitations and shortness of life
Man, I'm turning on a dime (flesh and bone)
I am quick to make decisions and change direction, as I am aware of how limited time is
(This could decay)
Introspective statement about how things can fall apart and disintegrate
This could decay like the valley below
A metaphor for how something can go from fruitful to barren and disfigured
Defenses are down
I am vulnerable and open to attacks or criticism
The stakes are high (scouting the crowd for a face of compassion)
There is a lot on the line, and I am looking for empathy and support from others
The fairytale end (to face off the journey that fathers no more)
A happy ending that comes after a long journey of pain and struggle
The staggering blow (you'll find the truth in the roots of desire)
A major setback that will challenge one's clarity of purpose and motivation
You lead with your chin (thinkin' with your corners, just a compass and the sun)
Being willing to take risks in life, ignoring potential danger or setbacks
(thinkin' with your corners, just a)
Introspective statement about how one makes decisions
This could be real
A hopeful statement about the potential of what one is doing
Simple
A simple fact that doesn't need further explanation
He faces forward, trading in his blindness for the world of love
A metaphor representing how one changes their perspective for the better, letting go of past guilts and shortcomings for the sake of love
And time is raging, may it rage in vain
Even though time continues to move forward, it may be a futile attempt to try and fight it
And you always had it, but you never knew
A realization that one had the talent or ability all along but was unaware of it
So boots and saddles, get on your feet
It's time to get up and get going
There's no surrender, 'cause there's no retreat
No matter what, you can't give up and accept defeat
The bells are sounding, bring this match to an end
The end of a competition is near, and it's time to finish it
We are the descendants of giant men
A metaphorical statement that speaks to the bravery and strength of those who came before us and their impact on our lives
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRANDON FLOWERS, DAVE BRENT KEUNING, MARK AUGUST STOERMER, RONNIE JR. VANNUCCI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind