Bleach

Ellie Goulding's song 'Bleach' delves into the emotional turmoil of trying to erase the memory of a toxic relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that once brought joy and excitement but has since turned into a source of pain and regret. The repeated use of the word 'bleach' symbolizes the desperate desire to cleanse oneself of the lingering effects of this relationship, much like one would use bleach to remove a stubborn stain. The metaphor extends to the idea of trying to 'bleach' the person out of one's mind, highlighting the difficulty of moving on from a deeply ingrained emotional attachment.

The song's narrative reveals the protagonist's struggle with the aftermath of a relationship that has left them feeling low and heartless. The lines 'I tried, tried to fix your heart / You thief, pat my pockets / Now I'm feeling heartless' suggest a sense of betrayal and loss. The imagery of 'bleeding but you don't notice' and 'lying in a thousand flames' conveys the intense emotional pain and the feeling of being unnoticed and unappreciated by the other person. Despite the protagonist's efforts to fix the relationship and their own heart, they find themselves stuck in a cycle of hurt and deception.

Ellie Goulding's use of vivid and relatable metaphors, such as being 'stuck to me like a tattoo' and needing 'Five Hennessys to drink you out my mind,' emphasizes the difficulty of erasing the past and the lengths one might go to in an attempt to forget. The song captures the essence of a toxic love that lingers long after it has ended, leaving a lasting impact on the individual's emotional well-being. The repeated refrain of 'bleach you like a bone in a brook' serves as a haunting reminder of the protagonist's ongoing struggle to cleanse themselves of the relationship's residue.