The Dream Is Dead

Type O Negative's song "The Dream Is Dead" is a haunting exploration of love lost and the ensuing desolation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a Valentine's Day steeped in sorrow and regret. The opening lines, "Champagne glass of blood and wine / On chocolate hearts alone, I dined," juxtapose romantic imagery with macabre elements, setting the tone for a narrative that intertwines love and pain. The candles weeping wax tears and the ten roses, each representing a year, symbolize the passage of time and the erosion of a once cherished relationship.

The chorus, with its repeated lament of "Another lonely Valentine's Day," underscores the protagonist's isolation and heartache. The arrows festering in the heart and memories acting as darts suggest that each recollection of the past relationship brings fresh pain. The line "Love and death, both colored red" poignantly captures the duality of passion and suffering, indicating that the dream of love has been irrevocably shattered.

The song also delves into themes of betrayal and disillusionment. The lines "Nobody will break your fall / All for none, yeah, none for all" reflect a sense of abandonment and the harsh reality that no one will come to the protagonist's aid. The reference to the "festival of fools" suggests a cynical view of love and relationships, where the protagonist feels like a participant in a cruel, mocking spectacle. Ultimately, the repeated refrain of "The dream is dead" serves as a stark declaration of the end of hope and the acceptance of a grim reality.