song 226

 Song 226

Hello my fellow music lovers! Welcome back to the blog! Today I will be reveiwing Under The Knife by Icon For Hire! This is a very powerful song, and has a very heavy but needed message in it. So let's get into it! 

There's no intro, so we'll begin with the first verse: "This is the song, I'm too scared to write. But some of you, may need it tonight. Oh there you were, heart made of glass. Fragile little things, shattered too fast. Had to pick the pieces up, up, up. And that's why you first got cut, cut, cut. The devil drew you in, you didn't let it show. Didn't want the others to ever have to know. They you were getting hooked on up, up, up. And all you had to do was cut, cut, cut." So this song is about self harm, and depression, and self hatred. But it's also about, not letting that stuff get between you and living your life. I find the melody on this part very satisfying, and empowering. The chrous: "You carved a special place for your pain, so it came back to hurt you every night. You closed your eyes, and wished it away. Until you disappeared under the knife." This is talking about, how when the pain you feel is too much to hold inside, that's when you draw to cutting. Because sometimes, it's the only pain you can control. The second verse: "You knew the deal, no one gives a damn. Just another needy kid, sob story in hand. Keep your secrets covered up, up, up. We don't need another cut, cut, cut. But you couldn't hide, a heart made of glass. You pull yourself together, with all the strength you had. You were finally fed up, up, up. Finally had to scream enough-nough-nough." Sometimes you just can't take it anymore. The chorus repeats, and then there's the bridge mixed with the outro. This part is rapping, but I kind of like it. Which is odd, since I'm not a huge fan of rap. But something about this is different. "Listen, I know it's simplified from the other side. It's easy to gloss over all the messy reasons why. And it's easy to forget where you've been, I guess that's what the scars are for huh? When we were 15 we wouldn't dare let that shit be seen, but now it seems mutilations gone mainstream. I see you at my shows, scarred up from head to toe. Like there's no point even trying not to let it show. Cause we all know emo kids like to hurt themselves, too many feelings, and not enough self control. And I mean does this mess with any of the rest of ya? It's an epidemic and we're cool with it don't question it, but it bothers me our scars are currency, by which we're measured. Like let the records show who let it slip, and who held it together. Cutters and burners, and honorable mentions. Posers who cut themselves up for the attention! I don't care your intentions, I just want you to know. My self hatred never took me where I wanted to go, at the end of the day, yo uknow I still had to face. But I can pick up the pain, but I can't cut it away. And you know what else I can't do, is give you ten good reasons not to. I've racked my brain, with clever saying of all the things you ought to do. But you know  I think if there was something I could say, they would've thrown it on a brochure and sent you on your way. So I'll keep doing what I always do, drag my heart to the piano and make it sing for you. I'll keep doing what I always do, drag my heart to the piano and let it sing for you." I know, that's a lot to unpack. I think this was a love letter Ariel wrote to fans, telling them that she sees all of us, and knows what we've all been through. Now, I've never cut. But there is still one thing I used to do, and sometimes still do it. I dig my nails as far as I can into my skin, because it distracts me from whatever I'm feeling. I used to do it a lot when I was in school, because school made me so anxious. I still do it, if I feel really anxious or just really sad. I know it's not the same thing, but I do know what it's like to feel immense pain and wanting something to be in your control. I think Icon For Hire did a really great job with this song, and what they set out to do with it. 

I hope you consider checking this song out, I got a lot out of it. And if you are struggling, and if you are hurting yourself, or if you have self harm scars. I want you to know, that it doesn't make you any less than. If anything it makes you so strong. You also are not alone, I know it may feel like it at the time, but I promise you there is someone out there who knows what you've been through. Take care of yourselves everyone. And remember you are loved, you are worthy, and you deserve good things. Until next time happy listening <3