Bloodline

In 'Bloodline,' Luke Hemmings delves into the haunting and inescapable nature of familial and personal legacy. The song opens with vivid imagery of 'walls bleeding red' and 'blisters for the scars,' suggesting deep-seated pain and trauma. These lines set the tone for a narrative that explores the lasting impact of past wounds and the struggle to find meaning in one's experiences. The mention of pictures that 'didn't mean that much until it meant everything' highlights how memories and past events can gain significance over time, shaping one's identity and emotional landscape.

Hemmings' lyrics also touch on themes of isolation and the difficulty of escaping one's roots. The line 'Your heart can't keep a vacancy for me' speaks to a sense of abandonment and the realization that some relationships are irreparably damaged. This is further emphasized by the absence of warnings or guidance, as he laments, 'Ain't no one to tell you: Run, boy, run.' The bloodline, representing inherited traits and familial ties, is depicted as something that lives 'in the seams back home,' suggesting that it is an intrinsic part of his being, impossible to fully escape.

The song also grapples with the concept of numbness and the loss of feeling. Hemmings questions, 'How am I gonna know if I'm never alone? When I live in the numb and all feeling is gone?' This reflects a deep existential crisis, where the protagonist is unsure of his own emotions and sense of self. The repeated imagery of throwing everything 'out the window' symbolizes a desperate attempt to rid oneself of these burdens, even though they seem to be an inextricable part of his identity. The closing lines, 'If I knew from the start, would it change a thing?' leave the listener pondering the inevitability of fate and the possibility of change.