Tears Don't Put Out The Fire
Alien
The Unquenchable Flame of Lost Love
Alien's song "Tears Don't Put Out The Fire" delves deep into the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one and the enduring pain that follows. The lyrics poignantly express the inevitability of change and the harsh reality of separation. The singer acknowledges that the past cannot be altered and that the person they loved is gone forever. This acceptance, however, does not ease the loneliness or the heartache, as the memory of the lost love continues to haunt them, symbolized by the recurring metaphor of rain falling in their heart.
The central metaphor of the song, "tears don't put out the fire," vividly captures the essence of the singer's struggle. Despite the tears shed, the emotional fire—the longing and the love—remains unextinguished. In fact, the memory of the loved one only intensifies the flames, making the pain more acute. This metaphor highlights the paradox of grief: while tears are a natural response to loss, they do not alleviate the burning desire to reunite with the lost loved one. The singer's world is depicted as timeless, where the passage of days and years is irrelevant because the pain and longing are ever-present.
The lyrics also touch on the physical and emotional yearning for the lost loved one. The singer's arms ache to hold them, and every day is marked by their absence. This longing is so profound that it permeates every moment, making it impossible to find peace or release from the sorrow. The repeated wish for the loved one to return, to hear their voice once more, underscores the depth of the singer's despair and the unending nature of their love. The song beautifully encapsulates the enduring nature of love and the inescapable pain of loss, resonating with anyone who has experienced the heartache of losing someone dear.