Send The Pain Below

Chevelle's 'Send The Pain Below' is a powerful exploration of emotional pain and the coping mechanisms people use to deal with it. The song's lyrics suggest a narrative of someone who has become accustomed to hurt and has learned to push that pain down, or 'send the pain below,' as a way to manage it. The repetition of 'I liked having hurt' indicates a complex relationship with pain, possibly hinting at a sense of familiarity or even comfort in suffering, which can happen when pain becomes a defining part of one's life.

The song also touches on themes of toxic relationships and manipulation. The lines 'You used to beg me to take care of things and smile at the thoughts of me failing' suggest a dynamic where the speaker was taken advantage of and expected to handle responsibilities, only to be mocked for their struggles. This kind of emotional abuse can lead to the victim internalizing their pain, as described in the chorus. The suffocating feeling mentioned repeatedly in the song could symbolize the overwhelming nature of this internalized pain and the difficulty in expressing it or finding relief.

Musically, Chevelle is known for their heavy, brooding sound, which complements the song's themes. The intensity of the music, with its driving guitars and forceful vocals, mirrors the emotional weight of the lyrics. 'Send The Pain Below' captures the essence of grappling with deep-seated hurt and the lengths one might go to in order to keep that pain at bay, even if it means burying it deep within oneself.