Nightmare
The Velvets Lyrics


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Laid at the bottom of a sinking hell
A hell oh well
Cannot wake what's real he can't tell
Can't tell can't tell

What a beautiful nightmare
Said it's a beautiful nightmare
What a beautiful nightmare
Oh what a beautiful nightmare

Nightmare nightmare
Said its a beautiful nightmare
Nightmare nightmare
Oh what a wonderful nightmare

Man woman and child on the ground
Bodies he's left and they're all making sounds
If you move quickly you hurry, if you will scurry
You might just find a way out

But he sees through their lies
Still he cant tell the time
Clocks distorted, fist fought and they left in due time
He's still stuck in this nightmare

Nightmare nightmare
Said its a beautiful nightmare
Nightmare nightmare
Oh what a wonderful nightmare

Nightmare nightmare
Said its a beautiful nightmare
Nightmare nightmare
Oh what a wonderful nightmare

What a beautiful nightmare
Said it's a beautiful nightmare




What a beautiful nightmare
But he's still stuck in this nightmare

Overall Meaning

The Velvet's song, "Nightmare" is a haunting tale of someone trapped in a surreal and possibly dangerous dreamworld. The song begins with the singer lying at the bottom of a sinking hell, unable to distinguish between what is real and what is part of the nightmare. The repeated phrases of "What a beautiful nightmare" and "Oh what a wonderful nightmare" serve as a paradoxical expression of the dream's beauty and horror.


The second verse introduces the possibility of escape, as the singer sees others moving past him and hears their cries. However, he remains unable to differentiate reality from the dream, as the clocks are "distorted" and he "can't tell the time." The final section of the song implies that the singer remains trapped in this nightmare, with the repetition of the phrase "But he's still stuck in this nightmare."


Overall, "Nightmare" is a powerful and haunting song that explores the nature of dreaming and the blurred lines between dreams and reality. It is a song that invites the listener to ponder the weird and often inexplicable nature of our inner lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Laid at the bottom of a sinking hell
He is trapped in a dark, miserable place.


A hell oh well
He has resigned himself to his horrific fate.


Cannot wake what's real he can't tell
He is unable to distinguish between reality and nightmares.


Can't tell can't tell
This confusion is ongoing and inescapable.


What a beautiful nightmare
Despite being frightening, there is something alluring about his dreams.


Said it's a beautiful nightmare
He acknowledges the paradoxical nature of his situation.


Oh what a beautiful nightmare
He can't help but be drawn to the darkness.


Nightmare nightmare
The repetition highlights the pervasiveness of his suffering.


Man woman and child on the ground
He witnesses the death and destruction of innocent people around him.


Bodies he's left and they're all making sounds
Their dying cries haunt him.


If you move quickly you hurry, if you will scurry
The only hope for escape is to move fast and cautiously.


You might just find a way out
Escaping the nightmare is possible, but uncertain.


But he sees through their lies
He is distrustful of those around him, perceiving deception.


Still he cant tell the time
He is disoriented and time loses its meaning.


Clocks distorted, fist fought and they left in due time
Even the objects around him are warped and battle-scarred.


He's still stuck in this nightmare
Despite his efforts, he remains trapped in his personal hell.


Oh what a wonderful nightmare
The juxtaposition between beauty and horror creates a twisted fascination.


What a beautiful nightmare
The singer remains entranced by the paradoxical nature of his torment.


Said it's a beautiful nightmare
He repeats himself, as if trying to convince himself of the allure of his situation.


But he's still stuck in this nightmare
The final line encapsulates his ongoing struggle.




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Reece Morrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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