Black Hole Brain

Citizen Soldier's 'Black Hole Brain' delves into the profound struggles of living with traumatic memories and the lengths one might go to avoid confronting them. The song's protagonist is haunted by past experiences that have left an indelible mark on their psyche, leading to sleepless nights and a constant need for distraction. The lyrics, 'As long as I can stay distracted, the past can never get to me,' highlight the desperate attempts to escape the grip of these memories.

The metaphor of a 'black hole brain' is particularly striking, suggesting that the protagonist's mind is a void where memories are buried, yet their gravitational pull is inescapable. This imagery conveys the overwhelming nature of these memories, which are so powerful that they surpass even the force of gravity. The lines 'Gravity's got nothing on these memories that I buried in this black hole brain' emphasize the relentless and consuming nature of the protagonist's internal struggle.

The song also touches on the fear of facing these memories through therapy, as expressed in the lines 'I'm afraid of therapy, every thought's a hair-pin trigger.' This fear leads to a preference for dissociation and forgetting, as these are seen as the only ways to feel safe. The protagonist's reluctance to open up and heal is further underscored by the declaration, 'I'd rather plan my own funeral than face what it would take to heal.' This stark statement reveals the depth of their pain and the extent to which they are willing to go to avoid confronting their past. Ultimately, 'Black Hole Brain' is a poignant exploration of the impact of trauma and the complex coping mechanisms that individuals may adopt to survive.