Not Strong Enough (feat. Brent Smith) by Apocalyptica Lyrics Meaning – The Heart’s Endless Battle with Love and Desire
Lyrics
Can’t run from you
I just run back to you.
Like a moth I’m drawn in to your flame,
Say my name, but it’s not the same.
You look in my eyes, I’m stripped of my pride.
And my soul surrenders, and you bring my heart to it’s knees.
And it’s killing me when you’re away, I wanna leave and I wanna stay.
And I’m so confused, So hard to choose.
Between the pleasure and the pain.
And I know it’s wrong, and I know it’s right.
Even if I try to win the fight, my heart would overrule my mind.
And I’m not strong enough to stay away
I’m not strong enough to stay away
What can I do
I would die without you
In your presence my heart knows no shame
I’m not to blame
Cause you bring my heart to it’s knees
And it’s killing me when you’re away, I wanna leave and I wanna stay.
And I’m so confused, So hard to choose.
Between the pleasure and the pain.
And I know it’s wrong, and I know it’s right.
Even if I try to win the fight, my heart would overrule my mind.
And I’m not strong enough to stay away
There’s nothing I can do
My heart is chained to you
And I can’t get free
Look what this love’s done to me
And it’s killing me when you’re away, I wanna leave and I wanna stay.
And I’m so confused, So hard to choose.
Between the pleasure and the pain.
And I know it’s wrong, and I know it’s right.
Even if I try to win the fight, my heart would overrule my mind.
And I’m not strong enough to stay away
Not strong enough, strong enough
Not strong enough, strong enough
To stay away
Not strong enough, strong enough
Not strong enough, strong enough
I’m not strong enough to stay away
Apocalyptica, a Finnish cello-metal band, teams up with Brent Smith of Shinedown to bring us ‘Not Strong Enough,’ a poignant musical exploration of the tension between love, addiction, and inner strength. The song is a masterfully woven tapestry of raw emotion, intensified by the haunting resonance of cellos accompanied by Smith’s power-packed vocals.
Navigating through the labyrinthine complexities of a love that both empowers and destroys, ‘Not Strong Enough’ serves as an anthem for the tortured souls caught in love’s relentless grip. The track delves deep into the human psyche, exposing vulnerabilities and a desperation that resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped by their own desires.
The Moth and the Flame: A Symbol of Fatal Attraction
Drawing on the metaphor of a moth irresistibly attracted to flame, Apocalyptica captures the essence of fatal attraction. The song’s lyrics paint the picture of being so deeply entangled in passion’s snare that the risk of burning becomes inconsequential to the powerful draw of the beloved.
This fatalism is mirrored in the song’s melody, where the cellos embody the smoldering burn of love’s fire, building to a crescendo with each verse, and emphasizing the relentless pull towards an emotionally destructive embrace.
Unveiling the Song’s Hidden Meaning: The Struggle for Emotional Sovereignty
‘Not Strong Enough’ is more than a love song; it’s an introspective journey into the battle for emotional autonomy. The ongoing tug-of-war between heart and mind spills over into a broader commentary on human desire and our capacity for self-control.
These lyrics articulate the eternal human struggle to maintain autonomy in the face of overwhelming emotion. They navigate the dichotomy of knowing what is harmful while simultaneously being unable to resist the siren call of an overpowering affection.
Between Pleasure and Pain: The Threshold of Indecision
With ‘I’m so confused, So hard to choose / Between the pleasure and the pain,’ Apocalyptica taps into the universal theme of indecision that plagues many who are caught between their pursuit of happiness and the avoidance of hurt.
These lines act as a haunting refrain throughout the song, poignantly expressing the internal conflict faced when every choice seems to lead equally to joy and sorrow. It’s a powerful reminder of the fragility of the human condition when faced with the complexities of love and attachment.
The Soul-Baring Confession: ‘My Heart Knows No Shame’
Perhaps one of the most striking moments in the song is the admission ‘In your presence my heart knows no shame.’ It’s a vulnerability that’s at once beautiful and terrifying, a testament to love’s uncanny ability to strip away our defenses and leave us profoundly exposed.
This line stands out as a raw, honest insight into the psyche of the narrator. It encapsulates the essence of being laid bare emotionally, where love becomes both a sanctuary and a battleground, with the self often caught in the crossfire.
Memorable Lines: The Heart Overruling the Mind
The recurring line ‘And I’m not strong enough to stay away’ is more than just a catchy hook—it’s the crux of the entire song. It encapsulates the overpowering battle between intellect and emotion, a classic human dilemma where passion overthrows logic.
Repeated throughout the song, this line resonates with the listener as a universal truth: despite our best efforts and rational understanding, sometimes the heart’s desires will not be denied. It is this admission of fallibility and the emotive repetition that carve the lyrics deeply into the listener’s consciousness.
