The first time I heard this song, I was blown away by what I heard. After a while, I came to the conclusion I wanted to know what the song was about. After reading what is on this forum and information dealing with the song, I think I know what the song is about. I don't know if has been posted here already or not, but the song is about being in love with someone who cannot hear it, due to death. It's hard when you lose someone you love, which is what the lyricist Elizabeth Fraser was feeling when she lost her good friend Jeff Buckley. This is what I believe is the analysis of the song.
"Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath"
-In this instance, she states that love is what she feels and that she's not afraid to say it.
"Gentle impulsion
Shakes me makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath"
-This is speaking of living on without the person she loves, as impulsion means the act of impelling, driving onward, or pushing. The thought of living without this person is bittersweet as it shakes her to tears but it also make her happy to have known that person.
"Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath"
-This can mean two things at once. A teardrop cannot put out a fire. Therefore this means that though she cries for this person, the sadness will not extinguish the passion she has for this person. The other thing this means is that she will not spend the rest of her life crying for this person, as crying when grieving is healthy, but one cannot cry forever if they want to live on.
"Nine night of matter
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath"
-This has to do more with the actual person that died, Jeff Buckley. I believe the nine represents the 29th, which is the day he died, May 29th. Night refers to the last time he was seen alive. Black flowers represent death and farewell. The fact that they are blossoming means that it is not a dismal farewell but one that she grow from.
"Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my..."
-I believe this is a reflection, like she was thinking strongly of the person lost, because after this there is an instrumental part before it starts up again.
"Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath"
-She states that the tears she cries for the person are an honest reflection of her feelings.
"Teardrop on the fire of a confession
Fearless on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath"
-I believe the confession she is speaking of is a confession of love, which now falls on deaf ears since the person the love confession is to has died and can no longer hear it. She repeated the part about most faithful mirror which goes back that she is being honest about her feelings.
"Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath"
-Repeated from above.
"Stumbling a little
Stumbling a little"
-This is showing how it has been hard to deal with the death.
Also, the "fearless on my breathe" throughout the song refers to not being afraid to speak. In this case, it is that she not afraid to express her feelings about the death.
quite agree with your interpretation.. and this song's original video is an unborn fetus, which indicates the reincarnation of the lost friend, or the writer thinks her friend will always stay in her heart.
quite agree with your interpretation.. and this song's original video is an unborn fetus, which indicates the reincarnation of the lost friend, or the writer thinks her friend will always stay in her heart.
The first time I heard this song, I was blown away by what I heard. After a while, I came to the conclusion I wanted to know what the song was about. After reading what is on this forum and information dealing with the song, I think I know what the song is about. I don't know if has been posted here already or not, but the song is about being in love with someone who cannot hear it, due to death. It's hard when you lose someone you love, which is what the lyricist Elizabeth Fraser was feeling when she lost her good friend Jeff Buckley. This is what I believe is the analysis of the song.
"Love, love is a verb Love is a doing word Fearless on my breath" -In this instance, she states that love is what she feels and that she's not afraid to say it.
"Gentle impulsion Shakes me makes me lighter Fearless on my breath" -This is speaking of living on without the person she loves, as impulsion means the act of impelling, driving onward, or pushing. The thought of living without this person is bittersweet as it shakes her to tears but it also make her happy to have known that person.
"Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath" -This can mean two things at once. A teardrop cannot put out a fire. Therefore this means that though she cries for this person, the sadness will not extinguish the passion she has for this person. The other thing this means is that she will not spend the rest of her life crying for this person, as crying when grieving is healthy, but one cannot cry forever if they want to live on.
"Nine night of matter Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath" -This has to do more with the actual person that died, Jeff Buckley. I believe the nine represents the 29th, which is the day he died, May 29th. Night refers to the last time he was seen alive. Black flowers represent death and farewell. The fact that they are blossoming means that it is not a dismal farewell but one that she grow from.
"Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my..." -I believe this is a reflection, like she was thinking strongly of the person lost, because after this there is an instrumental part before it starts up again.
"Water is my eye Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath" -She states that the tears she cries for the person are an honest reflection of her feelings.
"Teardrop on the fire of a confession Fearless on my breath Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath" -I believe the confession she is speaking of is a confession of love, which now falls on deaf ears since the person the love confession is to has died and can no longer hear it. She repeated the part about most faithful mirror which goes back that she is being honest about her feelings.
"Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath" -Repeated from above.
"Stumbling a little Stumbling a little" -This is showing how it has been hard to deal with the death.
Also, the "fearless on my breathe" throughout the song refers to not being afraid to speak. In this case, it is that she not afraid to express her feelings about the death.
Really well done. I feel the same way since losing somebody very close but was afraid to step out. This song haunts me...
Really well done. I feel the same way since losing somebody very close but was afraid to step out. This song haunts me...
I will buy this interpretation. I've been trying to figure this one out for a while now.
I will buy this interpretation. I've been trying to figure this one out for a while now.
quite agree with your interpretation.. and this song's original video is an unborn fetus, which indicates the reincarnation of the lost friend, or the writer thinks her friend will always stay in her heart.
quite agree with your interpretation.. and this song's original video is an unborn fetus, which indicates the reincarnation of the lost friend, or the writer thinks her friend will always stay in her heart.