This is definitely a band worth checking out:
Atomism is available on iTunes or buy physical copy through http://www.myspace.com/whitelightriotmusic
http://www.whitelightriot.com
or http://50records.com
Tourniquet
White Light Riot Lyrics
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My fervent bitterness, failing to address and save today
But the ocean was never blue, it's the sky being mirrored for you
Ain't it funny how things never turn out like they're supposed to
I'm scraping the asphalt and what's to show for it?
Cut off the blood flow dressed with a tourniquet
Scattered, pale and tense, delicate defense-retract it
Head is elastic, stretching 'til my patience cracks
But the ocean was never blue, it's the sky being mirrored for you
Ain't it funny how things never turn out like they're supposed to
I'm scraping the asphalt and what's to show for it?
Cut off the blood flow dressed with a tourniquet
Rescue the blessed and all the fortunate
While I'm left at the corner and dressed with a tourniquet
If we loosen the ties, it might take our lives
And fuel the chagrin
But we can't be afraid to start over again
And run, just run
I'm scraping the asphalt and what's to show for it?
Cut my blood flow dressed with a tourniquet
Rescue the blessed and all the fortunate
While I'm left at the corner, never heeded warning
Left at the corner dressed with a tourniquet
The lyrics of White Light Riot's "Tourniquet" are a reflection on the consequences of one's actions and the realization that life does not always turn out as planned. The opening lines "Leading my arrest, a protocol to test and fade away, my fervent bitterness, failing to address and save today" suggest the consequences of the singer's actions, and how they have led to their downfall. The feeling of hopelessness is further emphasized by the line "But the ocean was never blue, it's the sky being mirrored for you", implying that everything they had believed was not what it seemed, and the realization of this can be a hard pill to swallow.
The chorus, "I'm scraping the asphalt and what's to show for it? Cut off the blood flow dressed with a tourniquet" shows the singer's sense of desperation and feeling of being stuck in a situation beyond their control, using the imagery of a tourniquet as a metaphor for something that is stopping them from moving forward. The subsequent line "Never heeded a warning, imploding" suggests that this situation is not new, and the singer has been ignoring warning signs that have led to their current predicament.
The song concludes with a sense of renewal and resolution in the face of adversity, with lines such as "If we loosen the ties, it might take our lives and fuel the chagrin, but we can't be afraid to start over again and run, just run". The message is that sometimes letting go of the things that are weighing us down, can be the only way to move forward and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
Leading my arrest, a protocol to test and fade away
Starting with my arrest, there's a process in place to test me and make me disappear
My fervent bitterness, failing to address and save today
My intense anger isn't helping me solve my problems or improve my current situation
But the ocean was never blue, it's the sky being mirrored for you
The appearance of things can be deceptive
Ain't it funny how things never turn out like they're supposed to
It's ironic that life doesn't always follow our plans
I'm scraping the asphalt and what's to show for it?
I'm struggling and working hard, but what do I have to show for it?
Cut off the blood flow dressed with a tourniquet
I'm stopping the bleeding, but the injury is still there
Never heeded a warning, imploding
I ignored the warnings and now I'm falling apart
Scattered, pale and tense, delicate defense-retract it
I'm scattered and stressed out, and my defenses are weak
Head is elastic, stretching 'til my patience cracks
I'm trying to hold it together, but my patience is wearing thin
Rescue the blessed and all the fortunate
Help those who are lucky in life and need it the least
While I'm left at the corner and dressed with a tourniquet
I'm left behind, still injured and trying to fix myself
If we loosen the ties, it might take our lives
Change can be dangerous and risky
And fuel the chagrin
And cause us to feel regret or frustration
But we can't be afraid to start over again
But we can't let our fear of starting over hold us back
And run, just run
And take action, even if we're not sure where it will lead us
Left at the corner, never heeded warning
I'm stuck and struggling, wishing I had listened to the warnings
Left at the corner dressed with a tourniquet
I'm still trying to fix myself, but it's only a temporary solution
Contributed by Charlie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.