Lightning Crashes by Live Lyrics Meaning – The Transcendental Cycle of Life and Death
Lyrics
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door
Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now to the baby down the hall
Oh now feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
This moment she’s been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris
Presents the circle
Puts the glory out to hide, hide
Oh now feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it
Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, I
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it
I can feel it
Live’s 1994 hit ‘Lightning Crashes’ remains an enigmatic anthem, intertwining the profound processes of birth and death with a spiritual fervor that has captivated listeners for decades. The song’s raw energy and emotive lyrics paint a picture of the circle of life, capturing moments of profound change and continuity within human existence.
As we delve into the layers of this haunting ballad, we find a tapestry woven with threads of existential thought, personal strife, and an overarching sense of the cyclical nature of the cosmos. This exploration of ‘Lightning Crashes’ seeks to illuminate the profound depth behind the song’s seemingly simple verses.
A Storm of Birth and Rebirth: ‘Lightning Crashes’ Unveiled
At first listen, ‘Lightning Crashes’ might seem to speak solely about the physical events surrounding birth and death. However, a closer examination reveals that the song is a profound commentary on the eternal cycle that churns ceaselessly. It contrasts the arrival of a new life, with a ‘new mother’ crying tears of both joy and pain, against the departure of an ‘old mother’ whose life has reached its natural conclusion.
This juxtaposition is not merely about beginnings and ends but is an acknowledgment of the transfer of energy, spirit, and intention from one soul to another, a theme succinctly encapsulated in the emblematic exchange of gazes between the angel and the mortals involved.
The Angel’s Role in ‘Lightning Crashes’: Messenger or Metaphor?
The recurring image of the angel in ‘Lightning Crashes’ is open to interpretation. Is this celestial being a literal messenger between worlds, a guardian overseeing the transition of life, or is it a metaphor for the innate innocence and purity that arrives with birth and departs with death? The angel’s ‘pale blue colored iris’ might symbolize the universal connection between all living beings.
Yet, there’s also an element of mysticism here, hinting at a deeper, perhaps divine, understanding of life’s events. The moment the angel ‘puts the glory out to hide’ could suggest the divine spark present at birth is the same that fades away in death, hidden from our mortal eyes yet ever-present.
The Visceral Imagery: ‘Her Placenta Falls to the Floor’
Live’s choice of stark, visceral imagery in the opening lines is not for the faint of heart. This immediate, almost shocking, introduction to the ‘new mother’ sets a tone of raw, unfiltered reality. Here, the physicality of birth is a grounding force, reminding us of our mortal ties and the sometimes brutal nature of life’s entrance.
In contrast, for the ‘old mother,’ intentions rather than the corporeal fall to the floor — symbolizing that with death, our desires, dreams, and aspirations are left behind, no longer tethered to the worldly plane but possibly influencing those we leave behind, as seen with the baby down the hall.
Thunderous Emotions and Earthly Forces
The chorus of ‘Lightning Crashes’ evokes an elemental power with its reference to ‘a rolling, thunder chasing the wind’. The emotional crescendo parallels the natural phenomena, suggesting that the feelings surrounding birth and death are as vast and uncontainable as a storm. These moments are as much a part of the natural world as they are of our internal landscapes.
The repeated line ‘I can feel it’ is more than just a lyrical hook; it’s an acknowledgment of the palpable energy, the life force that connects individuals to the ‘center of the earth’, to the very core of existence, emphasizing that birth and death are experiences energetically shared across time and space.
Revelations in Repetition: The Lyrical Labyrinth of ‘Lightning Crashes’
The structure of the song itself, with its repeating verses and swelling musical arrangement, mirrors the theme of cyclicality. Each refrain is like an echo, a ripple across the pool of human experience. There’s a mantra-like quality to the repetition, encouraging listeners to contemplate their own place in the infinite loop of life.
More than just memorable lines, ‘Lightning Crashes’ uses repetition to engrave its message into the listener’s consciousness. This repetition is not redundancy, but reinforcement — a musical motif that acts as a meditative device, drawing us deeper into the philosophical implications of the song with each resounding chorus.
