Story of the End

Burn The Ballroom's 'Story of the End' is a vivid, chaotic narrative that intertwines elements of fantasy, biblical references, and modern-day disillusionment. The song opens with a scene of disorder as the choir falls apart when the jester cuts the lights, symbolizing a sudden disruption or loss of guidance. The whisper from the rafters suggesting 'everything's alright' adds a layer of eerie reassurance amidst the chaos. The king's futile attempt to seek wisdom from prophets, who fall dead one by one, and the queen's melancholic song about the end, set a tone of inevitable doom and futility.

The lyrics then shift to a surreal blend of fairy tale and contemporary imagery. Snow White and Rose Red, characters from classic tales, are depicted engaging in self-destructive behavior, highlighting a loss of innocence and the corruption of purity. The neon sign that reads 'this is fine' glowing amidst the chaos is a stark metaphor for denial and complacency in the face of disaster. The mention of Cain killing Romeo merges biblical betrayal with romantic tragedy, further emphasizing the theme of inevitable downfall.

The song continues with more jarring juxtapositions, such as Jesus in drag dancing with War, and beauty queens painting guillotines, suggesting a world turned upside down where sacred and profane, beauty and violence, are indistinguishably intertwined. The king, a puppet on strings, represents the powerless figurehead in a world spiraling out of control. The final image of the cops busting through the door signifies an abrupt, forceful end to the chaotic revelry. The recurring chorus, with its haunting melody, reinforces the sense of an inescapable, cyclical end, leaving listeners with a lingering feeling of unease and reflection on the state of the world.