Lyrics

Death Cab for Cutie – Roman Candles Lyrics

Updated

March 19, 2023

Death Cab for Cutie – Roman Candles Lyrics

Roman Candles Lyrics by Death Cab for Cutie

“Roman Candles” is the lead single off Death Cab for Cutie’s upcoming 10th album, Asphalt Meadows. The song was announced on May 4th, 2022. It was officially released on May 11th, 2022 alongside an accompanying lyric video and confirmation of the album release date.

Lyrically “Roman Candles” touches on love and loss; specifically the fleeting moments in time we try so desperately to hold onto to no avail. Ben Gibbard sings about feeling stuck in time as everything passes him by, being unable to keep up with his surroundings. He is trying to come to terms with the fact that he can’t dwell on the past forever, or try to confine the people and things that are destined to escape him. Any attempts to capture these experiences always end up backfiring. The song is an acknowledgement that change is inevitable.

“Roman Candles” can also be interpreted as an analogy for navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. Every day is difficult to face but dissolves into nothing before you have time to process it. The repetition leaves us numb and stagnant, longing for better days.

[Verse 1]
It’s been a battle just to wake and greet the day
Then they all disappear like sugar in my coffee
(Sugar in my coffee)
A hint of sweetness but the bitterness remains
The acidity devouring my body
(Devouring my body)

[Chorus]
But I am learning to let go
Of everything I tried to hold
Too long ‘cause they all explode
Like roman candles

[Verse 2]
I used to feel everything like a flame
But now it’s a struggle just to feel anything
(To feel anything)
I watch the world from a window on a hill
Everyone moving as I’m standing still
(I’m standing still)

[Chorus]
But I am learning to let go
Of everything I tried to hold
Too long ‘cause they all explode
Like roman candles

Ah-woo, ah-woo
Ah-woo, ah-woo

[Chorus]
But I am learning to let go (ah-woo)
Of everything I tried to hold (ah-woo)
Too long ‘cause they all explode
Like roman candles
Like roman candles