Bloodflood Pt. II
alt-J () Lyrics
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Hips quiver
Open smother
Lipped lover
Ooh, dead in the middle of the C-O-double-M-O-N
Little did I know then that the Mandela Boys
Soon become Mandela MenRazor blades on a melted toothbrush
Assassin de la police
Woah ooh
Heat shimmer
Silky glistener, uh huh
Open smother
Lipped lover, uh huh
Ooh, dead in the middle of the C-O-double-M-O-N
Little did I know then that the Mandela Boys
Soon become Mandela Men
Silent knife, unholy knife
I've fallen for the black outside my window
Ooh, on the C-O-double-M-O-N
On the C-O-double-M-O-N
A flood of blood to the heart
A flood of blood to the heart
A flood of blood to the heart
A flood of blood to the heart
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
The opening lines of "Bloodflood Pt. II" by alt-J depict sensual and enticing imagery with phrases such as "heat shimmer" and "hips quiver." These descriptions seem to reference the physical attraction and seduction between two people. However, the following lines allude to the violence and political unrest in South Africa during the apartheid era. The singer mentions the "Mandela Boys," who would eventually become important figures in the anti-apartheid movement. The razor blades on a melted toothbrush and the "assassin de la police" suggest the use of weapons and guerrilla tactics in fighting against the oppressive regime.
The chorus repeats the words "A flood of blood to the heart" several times along with the sounds of quelea birds chirping. The quelea is known as a pest often associated with Africa, suggesting a connection to the continent and perhaps the struggles taking place there. The flooding of blood to the heart may reference the passion and intensity of the desire for freedom, but also the bloodshed and violence that come with revolution. The end of the song repeats the lines from the beginning, creating a cyclical structure that reinforces the idea that violence and sensuality are intertwined and that history repeats itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Heat shimmer
The visual distortion caused by hot air rising from a surface
Hips quiver
Muscles in the hip region shaking uncontrollably
Open smother
Embracing someone in a way that is both overwhelming and comforting
Lipped lover
A partner with whom one shares deep, passionate kisses
Ooh, dead in the middle of the C-O-double-M-O-N
A reference to the gang-infested neighborhoods of Compton, where danger can be found even in the middle of the street
Little did I know then that the Mandela Boys
A group of young men who would later become powerful and influential in their community
Soon become Mandela Men
Maturing into responsible and respected individuals who fight for justice and equality
Razor blades on a melted toothbrush
A homemade weapon that, while crude, can be very effective in a violent conflict
Assassin de la police
A criminal who kills police officers, often with the belief that they are part of a corrupt system
Silky glistener, uh huh
A visual description of something that is both smooth and shiny
Silent knife, unholy knife
A deadly weapon that is used without warning or mercy, often with evil intentions
I've fallen for the black outside my window
An attraction to the darkness and danger that lurks just beyond one's home and community
A flood of blood to the heart
A surge of intense emotions, particularly those associated with violence and passion
A flood (Quelea, quelea) of blood to the heart (Quelea, quelea)
Repeating the phrase from the previous line, emphasizing the overwhelming intensity of the feelings being expressed
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AUGUSTUS UNGER HAMILTON, JOE NEWMAN, THOMAS GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chainster
4:25
And I won't admit I love you
And that i will die for you
And I've waited waited for you
Here
Wait in front of you
Oh my body laid down to yyooouuuurrss
As I fell for you
And the world for two, for two
Here
Wait to fall with you
That's how I interpreted it. I find it so amazing that you can listen to this part and come up with many lines and lyrics
@peterulbricht449
I think it sounds more like
And of all the things i like you
And i would die for you
And i weigh the day but love tells me way to promise you
Oh my body laid down lay up
Am i front for you
In a world where 2 and 2
Um keel
Laid in front of you.
@nanoq3391
4:25
"and I'll hold your face, I love you
(I'm) in a hive of life for you
and I weigh the day but love tells me,
'way to run again'
oh the body live down, lay up,
am I a front for you?
in a world where two and two keel,
laid in front of you"
every time I listen I hear something different, but equally gorgeous
@melicastrillo1325
4:25
And of all the things I love
And I will die for you
And I waited, because of you
Here
Wait to promise you
Oh my body laid down for you
But I will come for you
And the world will crumble too
Here
Wait to fall with you
???
@zekeis26
meli castrillo
4:25
And of all the things I love
And I will die for you
And I waited, because of you
Here
Wait the wait I promised you**
Oh my body laid down for you
But I will come for you
And the world will crumble too
Here
Wait to fall with you
**I heard it like this.
Thanks for this tho!
@fieryscorpion
And I won't admit I love you
And that i will die for you
And I've waited waited for you
Here
Wait in front of you
Oh my body laid down to yyooouuuurrss
As I fell for you
And the world for two, for two
Here
Wait to fall with you
@Guyote_
My personal ending (4:25) interpretation:
And I will always [say/think] "I love you",
and that I [will/would] die for you.
And I've waited day after day, here,
wait in front of you.
Oh, my body laid down to yours,
[I am/lying] close for you.
And the world for two, for two people,
Here. Waiting for you.
@jessicabecause3717
This is the first time, in a long time, a song has made me cry from pure satisfaction. I truly love this band.
@kelseydailey4253
I feel you, I did the same thing ☹️
@pedrofaria7451
i m tired of listening radiohead so im going to listening alt j
@jangarcia9564
if u liked that I recomend u the first part
@jessicabecause3717
Jan Garcia
I like both, but this one speaks to me more.
@marcoDK95
same for me <3
@Pekkari6969
I can't stop listening Alt-J. But seriously these guys are some of the best I have heard in ages. They are seriously taking over my life. I wake up, start this tune. I got to sleep, I listen to Warm Foothills. And the rest of the songs during the day.
Alt-J is fucking awesome and this song shows it perfectly.
@johnbroadley535
+Wojtek The Bear seems like you have a serious case of Alt-Jitis
@walterherrera3733
+Wojtek The Bear i feel the exact same way since the first time i heard alt-j
@jayevans7477
+john broadley Alt-Jitis ha ha lets hope its an epidemic