Walking alone tonight
‘Cause I’ve only got room for two
Me and my burdened black heart
It’s all we know how to do

Yet I look for a bigger bang
Than the kind I continually see
Sick of all this inertia ow
Won’t you mend me?

Lover, can you help me?
I’m a child lost in the woods
A black heart pollutes me
And I think

You’re a mountain that I’d like to climb
Not to conquer, but to share in the view

Pulled by a false inertia
Pushed out by circumstance
Pistol firing at my feet
That’s coercing me to dance

Yet I look for a bigger bang
Than the kind I’m sorry to know.
Here I am, first foot of the climb
Watch me go.

Lover, can you help me?
I’m a child lost in the woods
A lit path eludes me
And I think

You’re a mountain that I’d like to climb
Not to conquer, but to share in the view
You’re a bonfire and I’m gathered ’round you
Set this old black heart inertia aflame

Send it away (repeat)

-- guitar --

You’re a mountain
That I’d like to climb
Not to conquer, but to share in the view
You’re a bonfire
And I’m gathered ’round you
Set this old black heart inertia aflame

Set it aflame, send it away



Lyrics submitted by kezy12

Track duration: 04:53


Black Heart Inertia song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:It's the story of someone who is caught in a depressive state, struggling to get out because he realises, he is sick of
    his loneliness and negative approach to love.

    Walking alone tonight
    ‘Cause I’ve only got room for two
    I love these lines. He knows he'll stay lonely as long as he keeps his black heart. This night, he's at a point where he wants something to change, wants a relationship.

    I think the "bigger bang" refers to something deeper than the superficial relationships, which we see so often these days, especially among young couples. People have "cohabitants", "part time lovers", "sex friends", with no need for being committed.
    He is looking for a real, lasting relationship. This is stressed again, of course, in the chorus when he wants to "share in the view".

    Also, the chorus makes me believe that he is not just talking about love in general. There is a specific girl, "you", who he is into. She is the cause he's trying to overcome his inertia and make a new start (the "first step of a climb").
    Clearly, he is in love with her, but he's putting some pressure on her, too: He hopes *she* will solve his problems, when actually it should be him. He repeatedly asks her to erase his black heart, to "send it away". Very human, especially in a new relationship, when the pink glasses are still on, to make the lover responsible for our happiness, isn't it?

    I had to look up the word "inertia", had never heard it before, but I think it is well-chosen for this song. (Generally, I like lyrics that are beyond primary-school level and a little challenging, at least for non-natives like me.) It perfectly describes the numb, emotionally cold feeling that the person is trapped in. Also, the music and the lyrics go very well together. The song has this heavy, trotting rhythm, especially in the beginning, which makes you picture someone carrying a burden, but at the same time a catchy, uplifting melody, that, I think, is very motivating, like it's saying: "Go, make the climb!".
    Flag WhiteWolfDiefon July 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I really like this song and sounds to me that Brandon wants to one night stand a girl, he looks for a bigger bang (hotter chick than any other girl) sick of all this inertia (a reference to a babe that's like nothing to him) I want a human being (a girl wayyy better) your a mountain that I'd like to climb (a girl I'd like to f***) not to conquer (not to be your man) but to share in the view (be like the other guys who f***ed her) Now this is just my interpretation and all of these others are just corrections and feelings. So if u think I'm wrong just tell me why (I'm easily swayed)
    Flag LilBompie17on June 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When I saw the music video, my first thought was:
    "Oh, God...an excuse for Boyd to make out with hot girls."

    Or maybe I was just jealous of said girls.
    :(
    Flag jmatoron May 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When I saw the music video, my first thought was:
    "Oh, God...an excuse for Boyd to make out with hot girls."

    Or maybe I was just jealous of said girls.
    :(
    Flag jmatoron May 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:man in the video where hes making out with that girl i wish that i could trade places with her but brandon voice is so amazing beautiful flawless its perfet you can always count on incubus to bring something new to the table.
    Flag dp9241loveron December 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I also think this song is about sum1 that has been single for a while & has been jaded by the constant up & downs (him dancing) the best part for me is "your a mountain.." Its about finally meeting that person that u don't want to have the typical dating run around with (conquer) but instead share ur life & enjoy the view together, beautiful!
    Yet another song full of amazing imagery from brandon.<3
    Flag wnithitsiflnopainon March 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Set it aflame, send it away"
    Anybody got an explanation for 'it'?
    Flag MRDuffy573on December 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Listening to multiple different versions of the song (including as many live ones I can find) I always hear

    Sick of all this inertia
    I want to human be

    Even though all the lyrics I can find say otherwise...
    Flag flickeringflame42on September 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:At first I really did not like this song. It would play on the radio and I remember being disappointed since I had yet to hear an Incubus single that I did not like. The song grew on me and now I can't listen to it enough!

    I actually had not looked up the lyrics until just now and I am happy I did. I can relate to it alot because it's difficult to be in a relationship with me. I have a hard time trusting people I usually end up trusting the wrong people. I am not jaded, but I have a lot of issues and feel black inside and that is why I feel alone and can't really relate to anyone... or maybe I don't want to relate.

    Walking alone tonight
    ‘Cause I’ve only got room for two
    Me and my burdened black heart
    It’s all we know how to do

    I still hope that maybe one day I will be with someone that can understand my fucked up ways and that will help me heal. That would be great. It would be nice to feel on top of the world and be there with a person I love.

    Lover, can you help me?
    I’m a child lost in the woods
    A black heart pollutes me
    Flag Isauraon August 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:In the first verse I hear:

    Sick of all this inertia
    I want a human being!



    And it makes the song much more real to me then 'won't you mend me'
    So no matter what the correct words are...I will always sing the above lines.
    Flag heymancoolshadeson July 21, 2009   Link

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