Chandelier
Trent Harmon Lyrics
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Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I push it down, I push it down
See, I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, is ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, I feel the love
And woah
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
Throw 'em back as I lose count
I, I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
I, I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I, I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry
I said I, I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
But I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light
Until morning light, until morning light
The sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
And woah
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
Throw 'em back as I lose count
I, I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
I, I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I, I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry
I said I, I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
From the chandelier
In the song "Chandelier", Trent Harmon sings about a party girl who is trying to escape from her emotions by drinking and partying. The girl speaks about her own mental state, stating that she cannot feel anything and is unaware of when she'll learn not to push her emotions down. Despite the numbness she experiences, she thrives in the party scene and enjoys the attention she receives. She then symbolizes her desires and aspirations by stating that she will "swing from the chandelier", which represents her willingness to abandon herself to her passions and have a wild and uninhibited existence. The repetition of the lyrics, "1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink, throw 'em back as I lose count" emphasizes the idea of escape and the desire to forget all of her troubles.
The chorus serves as the emotional climax of the song, as Trent Harmon sings about the emotional release that comes from living life without fear of consequences. He sings about his character's desire to live without fear, fly like a bird through the night, and let her tears dry. Despite the numerous breakdowns she experiences, she's holding onto life for dear life, refusing to look down or open her eyes. At the end of the song, the sun rises as she must face the truth of her partying ways and come to terms with her behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Party girls don't get hurt
Girls who party don't show their emotional pain
Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I'm numb to my emotions, and I'm wondering when I'll realize that it's not healthy
I push it down, I push it down
I suppress my emotions and avoid dealing with them
See, I'm the one 'for a good time call'
I'm seen as someone who is only good for a casual hookup
Phone's blowin' up, is ringin' my doorbell
I'm getting a lot of attention from guys who only want me for my body
I feel the love, I feel the love
I mistake the attention I'm getting for genuine love and affection
1-2-3, 1-2-3, drink
I'm drinking to numb my emotions
Throw 'em back as I lose count
I'm drinking so much that I can't keep track of how much I've had
I, I'm gonna swing from the chandelier
I want to let go of my pain and party like there's no tomorrow
From the chandelier
I'm using partying and drinking as a coping mechanism
I, I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
I'm trying to forget about my problems and live in the moment
Like it doesn't exist
I'm pretending that my problems don't exist
I, I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
I want to escape my pain and feel free
Feel my tears as they dry
I'm crying, but I'm also trying to move on and let go of my emotions
But I'm holding on for dear life
Despite my attempts to escape my pain, I'm struggling to hold on
Won't look down, won't open my eyes
I'm avoiding reality and refusing to face my problems
Keep my glass full until morning light
I'm continuing to drink to avoid dealing with my emotions
Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I'm trying to make it through the night without breaking down
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life
I'm asking for help because I'm struggling to keep it together
The sun is up, I'm a mess
Despite my attempts to escape my pain, I'm still a mess in the daylight
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
I need to leave my current situation and change my lifestyle
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
I'm starting to feel ashamed of my behavior and the way I'm coping with my pain
Writer(s): JESSE SHATKIN, SIA FURLER
Contributed by Evan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gailkoskorelos8536
5 years later and still listen to this. My favorite performance ever on American Idol.
@dollrose3085
Listening in 2023 and it’s still so magical 🙌🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@vickiewiseman7112
@@dollrose3085 ditto! I listen to it every single day in June of 2023! I absolutely 💯♥ him and his voice! 😊
@AnneonaMouse
Magnificent. ❤
@rubyruby9542
The look on the other 3 competitors was priceless!!
They knew after that beautiful performance they were done for!!
@marisaschooley
MY ALL TIME FSVORITE AMERICAN IDOL EVER. Great song, great voice. And he seems like such a humble nice man.
@NYChica23
Even though Trent wasn't my favorite that season, this performance proves that he definitely deserved his win based on talent alone
@kay-collins
What?? laporsha was so much better!
@TheUmystifyme18
I've heard a lit of covers of this amazing song but Trent's version is by far the best. Brilliant
@TallulahLawksley75
To think he sang this even better in the final.. just incredible.