City and Colour – Like Knives

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Your words are like knives
They peel my skin and pierce my soul
Your body will burn tonight
Though your heart may still remain cold

And I will blame myself
And I will blame myself
For holding on to what I hoped would keep you by my side
I will blame myself

The Sheets are stained with
Memories of your soft kiss
Now this is all I have
Paper and pen to remember you with

And I will blame myself
And I will blame myself
For holding on to what I hoped would keep you by my side
I will blame myself
Can I have you
Can I have you
Can I have you
Can I have you

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Lyrics submitted by star_up_in_the_sky

Track duration: 04:30

"Like Knives" as written by Dallas Green

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Like Knives song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Thought in my head, during a breakup turned into beautiful lyrics

    "The sheets are stained with
    memories of your soft kiss
    Now this is all I have
    paper and pen to remember you with"
    Flag Erika144on January 06, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation: I think it's about a relationship that has emotionally ended but he tries to hold on to the physical aspect to revive it.
    Flag lovemeganon May 24, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't even think this song necessarily has to do with 2 people who are in some sort of a relationship. It just could be 2 people with one having a more emotional connection to each other. I think the girl in this song may be making false, empty promises to him:

    *Your words are like knives
    They peel my skin and pierce my soul
    Your body will burn tonight, but your heart will remain cold*


    and I've always thought of the body burning as a sexual reference but the heart remaining cold is stating that her emotions are not involved, yet they might be sleeping together. The same goes for the sheets being stained with her kiss line.

    *I will blame myself
    I will blame myself for holding onto what I hoped would keep you by my side*

    To me this symbolizes that all the actions he is taking are to try to win her over or get her to be with him. He thinks that he has not done enough- thus blaming himself. I think he also feels foolish over his actions.

    Obviously this is to no avail and he still longs to be with the girl very much so. I think the repetition of the last line symbolizes that. It's such a simple question but it's delievered with such emotion.

    *Can I have you?


    Flag xbriteeyes730xon February 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think... he knew it wasn't working out, but he held on anyways.

    She is gonna leave him, and now he will only have paper and pen to remember her.

    I feel like the end is almost like begging to yourself. Like when you're begging... but you know you won't get it. His pain is released in the last 4 verses. This song is so brilliant.
    Flag lovelybeutsieon March 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:that last line is so simple, yet he sings it with such raw emotion it makes me tear up everytime i hear that.
    Flag literate_stylishon January 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A agree that it's about a breakup but I acutally don't think it's about cheating. I just think their relationship is not working anymore- perhaps he took her for granted which is why he blames himself.
    It seems a simple song- but there is depth. Love it!
    Flag bohemian_like_youon September 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The last line breaks my heart. His voice makes it so clear that he is in pain.
    Flag Blue_Goldilockson September 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song.
    It really reminded me of my breakup with my recent ex.
    I found out he was cheating and I screamed at him so hard.
    When I went back to my house I realised all the things we'd done and I couldn't sleep without thinking of him. The memories were all I had left of him =]
    This song helped me through that.
    It's a beautiful song =]
    Flag pixie_kandyflosson February 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is so beautiful it makes me cry..
    Flag -imNOTokay-on August 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They had a serious fight; she cheated on him and is telling him about it:
    "Your words are like knives
    They peel my skin and pierce my soul"

    But they have make-up and have sex:

    "Your body will burn tonight"

    Although he still knows that she still wants the other guy:

    "but your heart will remain cold"

    He thought that his love was enough to keep her and so he blames himself. All he has left are memories and he writes songs about her:

    "paper and pen to remember you with"

    The last line is very poignant because he asks if she will reliniquish her other relationship for him, in the hopes that he can have her.
    Flag Whippon January 27, 2007   Link

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