Self Portrait

Rainbow's 'Self Portrait' is a haunting exploration of inner turmoil and existential despair. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with their own dark emotions, using the metaphor of a self-portrait to convey the depth of their inner struggle. The imagery of painting a picture 'darkly' with lines that 'start to crawl' suggests a sense of creeping dread and a descent into a darker state of mind.

The recurring theme of 'going down' throughout the song emphasizes a feeling of sinking or falling deeper into one's own negative emotions. This is further highlighted by the lines 'Nothing is real but the way that I feel,' which suggest a disconnection from reality and a focus on the overwhelming power of personal feelings. The repetition of 'down, down, down' creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener into the same downward spiral the narrator is experiencing.

The mention of 'eyes that never see' and 'flashes of lightning that burn for only me' adds to the sense of isolation and personal torment. The reference to 'the devil to pay' implies a reckoning with one's own demons, and the desire for a place to lay suggests a longing for rest or escape from this inner turmoil. Rainbow's musical style, characterized by powerful guitar riffs and emotive vocals, enhances the song's dark and introspective mood, making 'Self Portrait' a compelling exploration of the human psyche's darker aspects.