Chandelier
Zaga Rehn Lyrics
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Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I push it down, push it down
I′m the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, they′re ringin′ my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
Throw em back, till I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I′m gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn′t exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I′m gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
And 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, 'cause I′m just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
Throw em back till I lose count
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I′m gonna live like tomorrow doesn′t exist
Like it doesn't exist
I′m gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
And 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, ′cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
The lyrics of Chandelier by Sia are heart-wrenching and reflective of a person struggling with addiction. The song begins with the observation that “party girls don't get hurt” and the singer, who identifies as one of those girls, admits to pushing her emotions down, to avoid pain. The chorus goes on to express her desire to escape her feelings of emptiness and despair by swinging from a chandelier and living as if “tomorrow doesn't exist”. She drinks heavily, trying to numb herself, aware of the shame that awaits her tomorrow. Despite the self-destructive tendencies, she’s aware that she’s holding on for dear life and she clings to a promise to drink until morning light.
The lyrics are highly symbolic of struggles with addiction and substance abuse. The chandelier symbolizes the glamorous and party lifestyle that the singer is trying to escape by swinging on it. The lyrics also depict the aftermath of addiction and the shame and guilt that follow. In the end, despite the self-destruction, there’s a glimmer of hope as the singer keeps holding on for dear life.
Line by Line Meaning
Party girls don't get hurt
Girls who party are expected not to get hurt emotionally, but that's not true.
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I'm already numb from the things that have happened to me, but I keep subjecting myself to them.
I push it down, push it down
I suppress my emotions to escape the feelings of pain and hurt.
I'm the one 'for a good time call'
I'm the person who people call when they want to have a good time.
Phone's blowin' up, they're ringin' my doorbell
My phone is constantly ringing, and people want to hang out with me.
I feel the love, feel the love
I feel the temporary, superficial love that comes with partying.
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
I start drinking heavily as a way to numb my pain and escape reality.
Throw em back, till I lose count
I keep drinking until I can't remember how much I've had.
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I will let loose all my pain and forget all my problems by partying hard.
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
I will focus only on the present and not worry about the future.
Like it doesn't exist
For me, the future does not exist.
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'll dance and party like there's no tomorrow, but my tears will dry up by the morning.
And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
I am trying my best to hold on to this temporary escape, and I won't let myself face reality again.
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I'll keep drinking until the morning comes because I'm just trying to forget everything, even if it's just for the night.
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
I'm screaming for help, but I'm scared to face reality and refuse to open my eyes.
Sun is up, I'm a mess
The morning has come, and I am hungover and still feeling lost.
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
I need to escape from my feelings and my life.
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame
I feel immense shame and guilt after partying, but I don't know how to stop.
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
I'm starting to drink again, trying to forget everything once more.
Throw em back till I lose count
I'll keep drinking until I can't remember anymore.
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'll keep partying and trying to forget my problems until I can't anymore.
And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
I'm still trying to hold on to the escape that partying provides, and I'm scared to face reality.
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
I'll keep drinking until I can't anymore because I'm just holding on to this temporary escape for one more night.
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
I need help, but I'm too scared to face the reality of my situation.
Writer(s): Sia Kate Furler, Jesse Shatkin
Contributed by Julia D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.