Meaning and Lyrics of There’s A Fire by Longwave

“There’s A Fire” by Longwave is a haunting and atmospheric track that delves into themes of chaos, fear, and regret. Through its vivid imagery and repetitive structure, the song creates a sense of urgency and inevitibility, all while exploring the darker facets of the human experience.

The opening line, “There’s a fire and all the lines are down, there’s a panic in the town,” sets the stage for the unfolding disaster. The use of the word “fire” is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it represents a catastrophe that causes panic and disruption, evidenced by lines like “there’s a panic in the town” and “buildings burned to the ground.” Metaphorically, the fire symbolizes personal crisis and the breakdown of communication, highlighted by the phrase “all the lines are down.” The fire becomes a catalyst for chaos, as everything around it dissolves into disorder and fear.

“And the teeth shine like pearls in a witchy underworld” introduces a surreal, almost otherworldly element. The “teeth” likely represent malicious forces or people thriving in the chaos, “shining” in their malevolence. The term “witchy underworld” conjures images of a dark, mystical place where normal rules don’t apply, emphasizing the unnatural and eerie atmosphere created by the fire.

The chorus, “And everyone knows your name, in the dark it’s all the same,” suggests a loss of identity and individuality in times of crisis. The darkness here is both literal and symbolic of ignorance and confusion. When the familiar is eradicated by disaster, all distinctions blur, making personal achievements or status irrelevant. This idea is reinforced by the repetition of “in the dark it’s all the same,” illustrating that in such times, everyone finds themselves on equal footing, facing the same fear and uncertainty.

As the song progresses, the narrative seems to evolve from immediate chaos to the aftermath. “But the worst is almost passed, now the dogs are gone at last,” indicates a slight respite from the initial panic. The “dogs” could symbolize threats or challenges that have been overcome, but the aftermath still leaves individuals grappling with the consequences. The line “And they wanna point the blame, you can hear them saying,” highlights how blame becomes the focus once the immediate danger subsides. It reflects the human tendency to look for scapegoats in the face of disaster, rather than addressing underlying issues.

The recurring sentiment “And you want to take it back,” reveals a deep-seated regret. There’s an acknowledgment that actions—or inactions—during the crisis had unintended and irreversible consequences. When repeated, this phrase adds a layering effect, emphasizing how regret intensifies over time and is inescapable.

Finally, the song closes with the somewhat resigned observation that “Whether you’re dancing in the light or crawling on all fours, in the end it’s all the same when there’s no one left to blame.” This encapsulates a nihilistic view that, regardless of one’s actions or status, everyone faces the same end. It brings the listener back to the core theme: in the face of disaster, all human pretensions and societal structures break down, rendering everyone fundamentally the same.

In summary, “There’s A Fire” is a deep and reflective work that uses the imagery of fire as a powerful metaphor for destruction, crisis, and the human experience of dealing with regret and blame. The detailed descriptions and evocative language work together to create a vivid and unsettling landscape, urging the listener to consider the fragile nature of stability and identity in the face of disaster.