Rattling Locks
Unveiling Love's Black Hole: Josh Ritter's Rattling Locks Revelations
Lyrics
There was a time I had the right key,
Reflecting on a time when the speaker had control and access to something significant.
Rolled the tumblers, threw the bolt
Describing the physical act of securing or locking something.
On every wandering eye I caught
Recalling a period of vigilance and attentiveness to others.
But something has changed it's all wrong
Expressing a sense of discomfort and realization that something has changed negatively.
I'm out here in the cold with a wet face
Feeling abandoned or rejected, exposed to harsh conditions.
A-rattling your locks
Metaphorically referring to the act of attempting to regain control or access, possibly to a relationship.
There ain't nothin' new about the world
Stating that the challenges faced are not unique; others have experienced similar situations.
That I ain't learned from 'a just standin' here in this spot
Implying that the speaker has gained wisdom from observing life and its challenges.
Ain't nothing new about the world
Reiterating the idea that life's lessons are not new, but learned from observing others.
That I ain't learned from just watching you go by
Highlighting the speaker's focus on watching someone else pass by.
I tell myself people are cold and strangers pass
Convincing oneself that people distance themselves from love by building emotional barriers.
Separate themselves from love
Suggesting that people avoid love by creating emotional barriers.
By building walls a hundred thousand miles high
Metaphorically describing emotional barriers as immense walls.
Frostbite and heartsickness
Downplaying the severity of frostbite and heartsickness, implying they are manageable.
Ain't neither one of them so bad
Indicating that neither frostbite nor heartsickness is insurmountable.
You can understand the reason why
Suggesting that understanding the reasons behind difficulties makes them more bearable.
Black hole, black hole
Metaphorically referring to the person's eyes as a "black hole," suggesting emptiness or void.
Are your eyes as empty as they look?
Raising a question about the emptiness reflected in the person's eyes.
Black hole, black hole
Repeating the inquiry about the emptiness perceived in the person's eyes.
How can your two eyes be as empty as they look?
Reiterating the question regarding the perceived emptiness in the person's eyes.
All along I thought I was giving you my love
Expressing a realization that the speaker's love was taken advantage of, and now they want it back.
But you were just stealin' it, now I want it back
Indicating a desire to reclaim everything that was taken by the person.
Every single thing you took
Emphasizing the speaker's awareness of every item taken by the person.
Black hole, black hole
Repeating the metaphorical reference to the person's eyes as a "black hole."
I had a dream where I was dyin'
Describing a dream where the speaker faced a peaceful death.
But it wasn't no nightmare
Clarifying that the dream was not a nightmare but a serene experience of dying.
I was peaceful as I fell
Expressing tranquility during the fall in the dream.
And if I was fallin' into heaven
Speculating that if heaven was reached, it must be different from conventional expectations.
Heaven must be hotter than the Bible tells
Playing with the idea that heaven might be hotter than commonly described.
I woke up sorry I was living
Waking up with regret about being alive, contrasting with the peaceful dream.
Rather than rattling your locks
Expressing a preference for facing challenges or difficulties rather than dealing with the person.
I'd rather spend the night in hell
Choosing a metaphorical night in hell over engaging with the person.
In hell, in hell, in hell
Repeating the preference for a night in hell, emphasizing the desire to avoid the person.
Black hole, black hole
Repeating the metaphorical reference to the person's eyes as a "black hole."
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