Candles by Juice WRLD Lyrics Meaning – Traversing the Labyrinth of Heartache and Addiction

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Juice WRLD's Candles at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I’m insecure
I’m not sure
(Yeah, I like that)
Uh

Yeah, I’m not sure
I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I’m insecure
Baby, you’re not her
My last girl had me so fucked up, it was a blacked out blur
Baby, you jump first
It’s a long way to hell, I ain’t really tryna leave this Earth
Baby, do your worst
I’ve come to the conclusion, you can’t kill me if I kill you first

I’ve been through the ringer
Tryna put a diamond ring on her finger
She love drama, she be watching Jerry Springer
Next thing you know, we all on Jerry Springer
I play love games, but no, I’m not a cheater
She hate it when I sip codeine, I’m a leaner
The devil on my shoulder keep on telling me to keep her
Should I take her out or should I take her to the cleaner?
Love don’t end good for me, no good for me
She’s good for me, too good
These hoes love playing me, heartbreaking me
Don’t pray for me, just give me drugs (bring me drugs)

Just give me drugs
Just bring me drugs
Just give me drugs

Yeah, I’m not sure
I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I’m insecure
Baby, you’re not her
My last girl had me so fucked up, it was a blacked out blur
Baby, you jump first
It’s a long way to hell, I ain’t really tryna leave this Earth
Baby, do your worst
I’ve come to the conclusion, you can’t kill me if I kill you first

I told her, “Run along and get away”
I think I need a getaway
I need to call a timeout, I need to set another play
I need a umbrella ’cause every day feels like a rainy day
I need something other than Xannies to take the pain away
I ran away to California, I’m tryna cut corners
Satan bossing me around, but you know I don’t take orders
Yeah, I had to move around, I was starting to feel cornered
Starting to feel cornered, I can’t see the front door
Starting to feel cornered, starting to feel slaughtered
Started to not give a fuck, screaming out, “Why bother?”
My ex-bitch too bad, my next bitch way hotter
We met in a car crash, she ride it like full throttle

Yeah, I’m not sure
I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I’m insecure
Baby, you’re not her
My last girl had me so fucked up, it was a blacked out blur
Baby, you jump first
It’s a long way to hell, I ain’t really tryna leave this Earth
Baby, do your worst
I’ve come to the conclusion, you can’t kill me if I kill you first

Juice WRLD’s ‘Candles’ is more than just a melodic manifesto from the late artist; it’s an introspective journey exploring inner turmoil and seeking solace in the midst of chaos. As a master at transforming pain into poetry, Juice WRLD used his unmistakable voice to unwrap layers of vulnerability in his music, leading listeners through the shadows of his experiences.

Navigating the dark realms of lost love, substance abuse, and existential dread, ‘Candles’ is an emblematic piece that highlights the psychological and emotional framework within which Juice WRLD operated. Disguised underneath its catchy hooks and hypnotic beats are the stark truths of a troubled soul, elaborating on the raw realities that are often glossed over in mainstream music.

A Refrain of Melancholic Reality: The Opening Lines Revealed

The deceptively simple chorus where Juice WRLD contemplates his heartache and insecurity sets the stage for an anthem that goes beyond the surface of love and loss. The repetition of ‘I’m not sure’ echoes the confusion and indecision that grip someone reeling from the effects of a toxic relationship, questioning the very foundation of their emotional well-being.

In these lines, Juice WRLD bridges the gap between personal strife and universal struggle. While his confessions might be deeply personal, the sentiments of uncertainty and introspective questioning resonate with his audience, offering a raw, unfiltered portrayal of human vulnerability.

Heart on the Battlefield: The Tug-of-War with Love and Pain

‘Candles’ paints a picture of Juice WRLD’s loving endeavors as a battleground, sprinkled with regrets and what-ifs. His past romantic scars serve as a bleeding backdrop to his current skepticism in love, referring to his ‘last girl’ and the blacked out blur that represents his previous relationship, rife with tumult.

The aggressive twist in suggesting the partner ‘do your worst’ and ‘I’ve come to the conclusion, you can’t kill me if I kill you first’ is Juice WRLD’s defensive stance against future hurt. Acknowledging the risk of emotional vulnerability, the lyrics pivot to pre-emptive self-protection, threading his resilience throughout the narrative of the song.

Dancing with Demons: Codeine and Jerry Springer Analogies

In ‘Candles,’ the late artist doesn’t shy away from the narrative of substance dependency as he incorporates the mention of codeine, pointing towards his coping mechanisms. The casual yet stark introspection about the role drugs play in his life and hindsight on how they impact his relationships explain the constant battle with his inner demons.

The reference to ‘Jerry Springer’ symbolizes the chaotic and public meltdowns common in toxic relationships, perchance reflecting his own experiences. Under the celebrity spotlight, Juice WRLD’s lyrics expose the internalization of this external chaos, offering listeners a backstage pass to the reality show of his life.

Escape to a Rainy Parade: Seeking Sanctuary in Stormy Weather

In his verses, Juice WRLD narrates attempts to escape his melancholic state – ‘I told her,

Racing Towards Redemption: Metaphors of Speed and Salvation

The metaphor of a car crash in the final verse is a poignant embodiment of the chaos that permeates Juice WRLD’s relationships and life. ‘We met in a car crash, she ride it like full throttle’ is not only a nod to the intensity of his encounters but an unsettlingly vivid picture of finding allure amidst devastation.

Juice WRLD’s exploration of these ill-fated encounters speaks to a greater narrative in which passion and danger often become intertwined, possibly indicating his acceptance and even embracement of a life led at breakneck speed, where every moment, good or bad, is lived to the fullest.

Deciphering ‘Candles’: A Beacon in the Darkness

Through the allegorical lyrics of ‘Candles,’ it becomes apparent that Juice WRLD was constructing a metaphorical signal fire, one that not only served to illuminate his personal plight but also to guide others through similar struggles.

The duality of the song’s nature—as both a reflection on personal insecurities and a resonant message to others just as lost in the darkness—establishes ‘Candles’ as a testament to the enduring human spirit. It’s the sort of song that seems to say, ‘I’ve been there too,’ setting ablaze a path toward hope, connection, and understanding within the labyrinth of life’s trials.