Battle Born by The Killers Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Soul of Survival and Resilience
Lyrics
You walk around like a ghost
Your star-spangled heart
Took a train for the coast
When you shine you’re a hilltop mansion
So how’d you lose the light?
Was it blown by the wind
In the still of the night?
You’re up against the wall
Up against the wall
There’s something dying on the street
When they knock you down
You’re gonna get back on your feet
(‘Cause you can’t stop now)
I always saw you as a kind of keeper
A mother to a child
But your boys have grown soft
And your girls have gone wild
From the Blue Ridge to the Black Hills
To the Redwood sky
The season may pass
But the dream doesn’t die
Now don’t you drop the ball
Up against the wall
There’s something dying on the street
When they knock you down
You’re gonna get back on your feet
(‘Cause you can’t stop now)
And when they break your heart
And when they cause your soul to mourn
Remember what I said
Boy, you was battle born
(‘Cause you can’t stop now)
You was battle born
When the night falls on the land
Are you haunted by the sound?
It’s gonna take more than a hand
To turn this thing around
Won’t you lean it on me?
Rescue, set me free
Up against the wall (up against the wall)
There’s something dying on the street
When they knock you down (up against the wall)
You’re gonna get back on your feet
‘Cause you can’t stop now (’cause you can’t stop now)
And did they break your heart? (Did they break your heart?)
And did they cause your soul to mourn?
Remember what I said (remember what I said)
Boy, you was battle born (you were battle born)
‘Cause you can’t stop now (’cause you can’t stop now)
Come on, show your face (come on, show your face)
Come on, give us one more spark (give us one more spark)
We’ll sing your song of fire (sing your song of fire)
Unless we fall into the dark (fall into the dark)
‘Cause you can’t stop now (’cause you can’t stop now)
You never live, you never learn
You never shine if you never burn
A rising tide, the undertow
The famine and the overflow
Well, turn away, welcome home
The Killers, a band renowned for painting vivid narratives within the confinements of their anthemic songs, have once again struck a deeper chord with ‘Battle Born’. Within this track lies an intricate blend of poignancy and hopeful resilience, a journey adorned with metaphors that are simultaneously personal and universal.
As we dissect the layered meaning behind the compelling lyrics of ‘Battle Born’, we uncover an emotive exploration of the human condition, the persistence of spirit, and the unyielding essence of being ‘battle born’ amidst the trials and tribulations that etch the paths of our lives.
The Haunted Heart of the American Dream
The lyrics of ‘Battle Born’ transport listeners across a geographic and emotional landscape, drenched in the hues of the American dream. From the Blue Ridge to the Black Hills to the Redwood sky, the song’s protagonist travels – a journey reflective of the internal search for purpose and light that once gleamed bright.
The ‘star-spangled heart’ alludes to an inherent patriotism that has been tested and is on the verge of faltering. Yet, within this weary heart, the core of the American spirit – brave, unyielding and resilient – is revealed, challenging the darkness that seeks to envelop it.
The Anthemic Pulse of Perseverance
The recurring phrase ‘up against the wall’ in the chorus acts as a relentless drumbeat, representing those moments in life where we are cornered by circumstances, with our backs against the wall. Yet, it’s in these very moments that ‘Battle Born’ ignites a fire of defiance.
The song doesn’t merely hint at survival but demands an active stand. It rallies the broken and beaten, not to surrender to the falls but to rise each time, feet steadied by the pulse of their inextinguishable will to push forward – because they ‘can’t stop now’.
Peeling Back the Veneer to Find ‘Battle Born’ Meanings
Beneath the anthem’s surface, like roots beneath the earth, grows the hidden meaning of ‘Battle Born’. It’s a term that encapsulates birthright and identity, character and destiny. To be ‘battle born’ is to emerge from strife with a spirit that refuses to be extinguished.
The lyrics call out, urging us to face our suppressed struggles. They whisper of resilience passed down through generations, an inherited strength from those who have fought their battles before us. This unspoken bond creates a legacy of survivors and fighters reverberating through time.
Lyricism that Cuts Deep: The Song’s Most Memorable Lines
The simple yet profound declaration ‘Boy, you was battle born’ serves as a tattoo across the listener’s consciousness. It’s an assertion that whatever the scars, they serve not as marks of defeat, but as badges of honor, of having braved the battleground of life.
Furthermore, ‘You never shine if you never burn’ captures the essence of triumph through adversity. This line heartens listeners with its raw truth: the brightest of lights are often born from the darkest of fires – an invocative reminder of the beauty that arises from struggle.
The Song’s Siren Call – Redemption and Unity
‘Come on, show your face, come on, give us one more spark’ acts as a siren call not just to the subject of the song, but also to every listener. It is an invitation to step back into the light, to ignite once more the spark that fuels purpose and connection.
The Killers’ ‘Battle Born’ becomes a hymn of redemption, of collective empowerment, beckoning its audience to come together in solidarity. The song stirs a communal sense of belonging, a choir of shared experiences and the undying hope of a brighter day.
