The Black Keys – Gold on the Ceiling

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Down in the waves
She screams again
Roar at the door
My mind can't take much more

I could never drown

They wanna get my
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain't blind
It's just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It's alright
Ain't no guard in my house

Clouds cover love
Barbed wire snarl
Strung up, strung out
I just can't go without

I could never drown

They wanna get my
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain't blind
It's just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It's alright
Aint no guard in' my house

They wanna get my
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain't blind
It's just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It's alright
Ain't no guard in my house
Gold on the ceiling
I ain't blind
It's just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It's alright
Ain't no guard in my house

Send "Gold on the Ceiling" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by shannakett99, edited by aliceismad

Track duration: 03:44


Gold on the Ceiling song meanings
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34 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I always thought he said:

    "It's alright
    Ain't nobody my height"

    Which I thought was cool, because the gold was on the ceiling.
    Flagged mio84on March 30, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Why is almost every song interpreted to be a hymn about drugs? *sigh*
    IDK, when I listened to this song, it sounded to me like it was simply about someone who is aware of people are trying to us him. He is not judging them "Aint no God in my eye" and knows that this is just part of life that can't be stopped and that eventually he will fall victim, maybe even by acquiescence. But is saying that in the big picture it is not what's important to him in his life...
    Flagged sunkisston March 23, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought it was "ain't no gun in my house"
    Flagged NHow89on March 15, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've always heard " It's alright, Aint no good if i die"
    haha weird
    Flagged TigerBekhaon December 19, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:Sounds like "I could never drown it" would make more sense.
    Flagged nspuron September 13, 2012   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion:This song's probably just about Dan being Jewish
    Flagged FridgeCO.on August 01, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:It is about groupies that are after him and how he eventually will give in.
    Flagged jujubeeeeon August 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was hearing "aint no doubt in my mind". People do hear what they wanna hear!
    Flagged 8mark4on July 22, 2012   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation:It seems the drug interpretation is very plausible, given the references to being "down in the waves", "strung out" and that he "can't go without." The line "I could never drown" could be a typical addicts denial that he's got it under control. But then the chorus is his admission that he knows, eventually, the addiction will screw him out of everything he's acheived, out of his "gold on the ceiling" and he just doesn't have the self-control or will to stop it from happening- "there ain't no guard in my house" (which is the corerct line, NOT "no god in my eye.).
    Flagged keith8404on July 13, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Personally, I believe this song to be about addiction. Whether it be drug or sex addiction, I am not sure. Not that it matters, the motivators associated with both are the same since, at the heart of it all, addiction is addiction.

    "Down in the waves
    She screams again
    Roar at the door
    My mind can't take much more"

    -this most likely describes the struggle to fight the addiction. Down in his belly, his being, the bitch of a whore(the addiction) screams again for more, and eventually, he gives in. Or it is specifically another female fan out in the crowd who is calling to him, again. ~Different night, different girl.

    "I could never drown"

    -the thought process of all addicts upon getting their fix. Saying I'll be fine. I can quit another day. I am not a lost cause.

    "They wanna get my
    They wanna get my
    Gold on the ceiling
    I ain't blind
    It's just a matter of time
    Before you steal it
    It's alright
    Ain't no God in my eye"

    -This verse, I think, describes the loss of self and the loss of control addicts experience. The gold on the ceiling is everything and anything he holds dear ie, his sense of "self", his sense of control and how he can't judge himself or anyone else too harshly, since after-all he is just a man, and he is no God. Or it's about having sex with a women fan and how neither of them can be judged her for what they do.

    "Clouds cover love
    Barbed wire snarl
    Strung up, strung out
    I just can't go without"

    -This verse seems to hint that the song may be about sex addiction specifically. The lyrics "clouds cover love, barbed wire snarl" imply that he is taking part in a love act that he simultaneously wants and doesn't want, but repeatedly gets caught up in, again exhibiting a loss of control and rationale.
    Flagged dreamnstateon July 11, 2012   Link

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