When The Flies Fell

Sub Urban's 'When The Flies Fell' is a haunting exploration of mental anguish, self-destruction, and the struggle to save someone from their own demons. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person in deep distress, marked by self-harm and a desperate attempt to erase their past. The imagery of 'slashes on your legs' and 'blood drying on your fingernails' immediately sets a dark and unsettling tone, suggesting a cry for help that goes unnoticed or unheeded.

The repeated phrase 'I blanked last night when you told me' underscores a sense of helplessness and disconnection. It reflects the narrator's inability to process or respond to the pain of the person they care about. This emotional numbness is further emphasized by the line 'my hands feel like somebody else's,' indicating a profound sense of alienation and powerlessness in the face of the other's suffering.

The song also delves into themes of identity and transformation, as seen in the lines 'You cut your hair off with a blade' and 'The water couldn't get you clean, so you burned your skin instead.' These actions symbolize a desperate attempt to shed an old self and escape from inner torment. The metaphor of an 'angel cutting the sky' and 'sinking through the ground from colossal heights' poignantly captures the fall from grace and the loss of hope. The narrator's final cry, 'I cannot be your saint, I know you can't be saved,' is a heart-wrenching acknowledgment of their limitations and the tragic reality that some battles are beyond their ability to fight.

'When The Flies Fell' is a powerful and evocative song that confronts the listener with the raw and painful realities of mental health struggles. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the often-overwhelming challenge of supporting those in deep emotional pain.