I think this song is basically written about two things – the first is to express a general frustration with how the world often expects us to put up a front and pretend to be okay, when many of us are struggling with our own demons very often. It’s essentially the struggle of having to hide how we feel and who we really are because the world judges us, quite harshly sometimes.
The other, however, is really to look at it on a more optimistic sense – the idea of ‘on all of us the broken light bulbs’ was meant to be a reflection of (somewhat) pride in admitting that you are struggling with your own issues. It’s an optimistic take that it’s okay to admit that you’re slightly broken inside, or dealing with difficult things – that ultimately it’s okay to be who you are.
lyrics
[V1]
I tell myself
That this is just a bad dream
This cannot be
The life that I lead
And maybe I
Got a little too drunk last night
So everything
Is more blurry than it seems
[Pre-Chorus]
So how
Did I let myself go
Can’t let the world know
The secrets that I hold, no no
So hold your nose, here comes the water
Oh hold your own, or they will catch ya’
Keep it together or this will be the end
[Chorus 1]
Take a step, take a breath
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
[V2]
I lose myself
Inside all my fantasies
And all the things that I could be
Are better than what I’ve been
But I know
That I can’t fix this all with alcohol
But this high is all I’ll ever know
And all that I have left to hold
[Pre-Chorus]
So how
Did I let myself go
Can’t let the world know
The secrets that I hold, no no
So hold your nose, here comes the water
Oh hold your own, or they will catch ya’
Keep it together or this will be the end
[Chorus 2]
Take a step, take a breath
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
One last round, before I drown
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
[Bridge]
Is it too late, have I lost the battle
I am but a broken light bulb
No light to see, shards of glass on the floor
I am but a broken lightbulb
Burn through the wire and crash on the floor
I am but a broken light bulb
No light to see, shards of glass on the floor
I am but a broken light bulb
[Chorus 1]
Take a step, take a breath
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
[Chorus 2]
Take a step, take a breath
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
One last round, before I drown
This city feeds on our broken hearts
On all of us the broken light bulbs
credits
released October 27, 2017
Written by: Bryan Chua
Produced by: Jerry Poh Qingle
Vocals, Backing Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: Bryan Chua
Electric Guitar: Lau Kwun Chung
Piano and Additional Instrumentation: Jerry Poh Qingle
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