Haunting yet hopeful, together Dean and Bradley create luring melodies and lyrics that touch on the universal and the fleeting; those shared experiences that while they’re happening might seem trivial, but go on to become waypoints in the memory of a life well lived. It might be the sudden realization that, when it comes to love, forever isn't all that long. We’re are all on the same ride to the undeniable end, yet with someone by our side we just might be able to go gently into that good night.
Sonically, they approach each song as if writing for the screen. A swirl of melodies and harmonies bring you along on their journey, the sounds they craft at once giving rise to a myriad of mental imagery
Chains
The Sweeplings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold to the touch but she's warm as a devil
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
She takes 'til I break and I can't get more
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
Alone in the night 'til she knocks on my door
Oh no, wasted again but I can't say no (no)
Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong
Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong
Gave you my heart but you took my soul
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
D-o-o-o-o-o-on
Hey-ey-ey-ey
You got me in...
Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong
Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong
Gave you my heart but you took my soul
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
You got me in chains, oohh, baby, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, ooh, I wouldn't change this love
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
The Sweeplings' song Chains is a heart-wrenching ballad about a toxic relationship that is as captivating as it is tragic. The opening lines "With her wine-stained lips, yeah, she nothing but trouble, Cold to the touch but she's warm as a devil" immediately set a dark, foreboding mood for the song. The singer in the song admits to being trapped in this relationship, comparing it to being in chains. The chorus "You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love, But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love" is a paradox, as the singer acknowledges they are emotionally bound to this person and the pain they bring them, but they still wouldn't change a thing.
The second verse talks about an encounter in the night with this person who has a hold over them until they learn to say no. However, even though this person is toxic, the singer still can't find it in themselves to break free, pleading "Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong, Gave you my heart but you took my soul". The closing lines of the song "Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me" reveal the frustration the singer feels in an emotionally abusive relationship that leaves them trapped and powerless to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
With her wine-stained lips, yeah, she nothing but trouble
Describing the troubles that come with a person, this line talks about a woman who is troublesome with her wine-stained lips.
Cold to the touch but she's warm as a devil
Though she may seem cold at first, this woman is warm and inviting, much like the devil himself.
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
Despite giving her love and affection, this woman desired something deeper and more intense, like his very soul.
She takes 'til I break and I can't get more
The woman continues to take from him, even when he is at his breaking point and has nothing left to give.
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
He feels trapped and bound by the woman's love, unable to break free from her grip.
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
Despite the difficulties and struggles he faces, he would never trade his love for anything else.
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
Though he tries hard to break free from the woman's hold, his attempts only cause him further pain and suffering.
Alone in the night 'til she knocks on my door
The man is alone and without the woman until she arrives and brings him back into her grasp.
Oh no, wasted again but I can't say no (no)
Despite knowing that he will be hurt again, the man cannot resist the woman's pull and falls into her arms once more.
Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong
The man questions why the woman constantly brings him pain and hurt, despite all the love he gives her.
Gave you my heart but you took my soul
Though he willingly gave her his heart, the woman went further and took his very soul from him.
D-o-o-o-o-o-on
This line is a musical interlude with no specific meaning.
Contributed by Madison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.