Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Follow You Into The Dark Meaning
Song Released: 2006
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I Will Follow You Into The Dark Lyrics
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If heaven and hell decide
That they...
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1TOP RATED
anonymous Feb 8th 2009, 20:20 report
This is an interpretation website, so nothing anyone has said is wrong, but I'm actually kind of upset at the interpretations I've read thus far. The words "dark" and "black" in this song are not just referring to the absence of color, but rather of nothingness altogether. Yes, this song is a love song, but I think it is equally a song about religion. "I held my tongue as she told me son, fear is the heart of love, so I never went back." FEAR IS THE HEART OF LOVE. This line is SO important to the meaning of this song. The fear of hell and punishment is what drives so many people to be religious. He never went back because he disagrees with the nun (and so should everyone). He wishes there was no fear of hell nor reward of heaven. He has lived a long life and experienced many things and been to many places. "Soles of your shoes are all worn down the time for sleep is now" - Hes tired and he's ready to sleep. To rest. To die. Hes ready to follow is loved one into nothingness, emptiness, thoughtlessness.....the dark
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2TOP RATED
anonymous Jan 8th 2009, 00:42 report
To all the Christians who have listened to this song: It is not necessarily stating that there is no heaven or hell, it actually implies that they do exist. This man is simply saying that if whoever he is singing to (you) is for whatever reason rejected from heaven and hell, he'd give up his afterlife to be with her. (If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied. Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you, when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark.)
At least, that's what I got out of this song, no matter the meaning, it is still a very beautiful song. -
3TOP RATED
anonymous May 2nd 2008, 20:41 report
It seems like no one really understand the "Fear is the Heart of Love" line. Many religions (like Catholics) teach you to fear God's wrath, and therefor obey him. That fear, supposedly, is the basis for loving & obeying God. Do what God tells you, or you'll go to hell. Love God because you fear him. That's why the nun said "fear is the heart of love." Naturally, that doesn't sit right with a lot of people, and causes the song's author to "hold his tongue," & "never go back." Many people don't believe that you should obey (or love) out of fear. He calls Catholic school "as vicious as Roman rule" because the Romans ruled with an iron fist, with fear.
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anonymous Nov 30th 2012, 14:34 report
I think this song alludes to the possible journey of reincarnation. If a soul dies and does not go to heaven or hell, another option would be that it gets to live again. "I'll follow you into the dark" may be referring to world beyond this one and the spiritual plane. Coincidentally, this made me think of the birthing canal. There is darkness (I assume) shortly before birth. And because I also think it's a love song, the writer of the song wants to take that journey with the person (not literally into the birthing canal, of course). To be reborn and find each other again in another life. They have traveled and shared so much in a previous life and he wants to join her and comfort her in the next stage of the journey... wherever her soul might go. Lovely.
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anonymous Jul 28th 2012, 20:38 report
To me, this song embodies a lot of the ideas contained within zen-like philosophies, directed specifically toward a very personal relationships between two people on the inevitable road to oblivion we all travel.
The development of a relationship to the point that the seperation between the individuals becomes indistinct. The "tunnels to gates of white" are not as peacefully blissful as the entwining of the two. If the constructs of Heaven and Hell areat peace within the persons own mind, then being carried into the unknown holds no fear for them.
"That they both are satisfied", I think, refers not only to Heaven and Hell, but also the relationship. The two will follow each other into the dark because a large part of them resides in the other. They have become more than a single entity, in the sense of changes within them, the individuals sense the oneness that binds everyone in the manifestation of their completeness.
Religion is used to illuminate the way most people perceive personal interactions, where control, possession and power rule the interactions between the two. 'Fear is the heart of love', sounds wrong and will lead to anything but satisfaction, so don't try to convince them and never go back.
Satisfaction in the sense of being sated, there is no more desire, or longing, or regrets, guilt, pride, jelousy. "You and me have seen everything to see....And the soles of your shoes are all worn down." They have experienced the world through the eyes of each other, and there is no exceeding this plateau in this world. on to the next.
The end holds no fear or panic, "It's nothing to cry about".
The sense of fulfillment in this world, and the promise of a spark in the next, while carrying the new being the two have created into the next. They "hold each other" within their being into "the darkest of rooms", the ultimate unknown, death.
If you can find that connection with another person, the fear of the unknown subsides, and you can overcome anything with the unselfish peace that connection to humanity can provide. -
anonymous May 1st 2012, 21:55 report
This song goes beyond religion, i dont think its right to label this song as anything, especially by religion. This song goes beyond everything, and basically defies the stereotypes of love. One line of the song is "fear is the heart of love" which defies what people usually associate love with. This song is about a person who has lost their true love. He wants religion and everyone's beliefs to stop limiting love (if heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, then i will follow you into the dark) so that he can join his love wherever she went when she died.He talks about how they have been through everything together (weve seen all there is to see) and how he accepts her death because he believes that love has no limits so he will.be able to hold her once again (theres nothing to cry about, we will hold eachother soon). So even though the song refers to Catholic school, he isnt trying to focus on that, its just a memory. He just decides to put faith aside and believe in his heart that since love is real, he will be able to hold his love again after he passes away, too.
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anonymous Apr 25th 2012, 12:30 report
This song for me is about death of the illusion. The illusion of love, the after life, fear, religion, whatever illusions exist.
I think that it is a love song. It is saying that when you are ready to let go of the illusions and except the unknown, then and only then does their love have a chance, hence waiting for the spark.
Illusions are created from fear - fear is the heart of love. Religion is used as an example because so many people love god out of fear but it can be applied to anything, relationships included. Many people fall in love out of the fear of being alone.
If there is no one beside you when your soul embarks is stating when you are ready to let go of the illusions we can face the unknown together. Into the dark is going into the unknown.
If heaven and hell decide they are both satisfied implies that in order for true love to exist, expectations and judgements must be surrendered. Heaven implies happily ever after and hell implies condemnation and judgement.
The time for rest in now - a truce. Its nothing to cry about because no one lost one one won. Its just time to rest. They have both witnessed enough to know the difference between illusion and reality. Love of mine someday you will die - and I will be close behind. The ideas they have about each other and what they think they love about each must die before they can begin their journey together into the unknown.
For me the unknown is the truth. -
anonymous Jul 15th 2011, 18:32 report
Not many people like the interpretation of fear is the heart of love. Thus means we shoudnt fear God but his rath when not followed. If you don't follow the lord like thou should... He's body going to throw lightning bolts at your head and hope he hits. I am not catholic and do t claim to be. This is what they believe. They are saying even if thou is to die now, I will see to it that I follow you there. If thou is still vacant at time of death, this means he has never left her side. Catholic schools rule with an iron fist as did Romans. Our shoe souls are worn down and the time for sleep is now there's nothing to cry about cause we'll hold each other soon. They've lived life and want to die have their lives go away as the years had flown fast. She shan't worry cause thou will have thine to hold when thine time come equally. The blackest of rooms. When thou dies they cover the face of those whom have died. Therefore blackest of rooms as they will cover his face momentarily. This is one way thou could interpret this song. Share the meaning that thine has for this song.
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anonymous Jun 7th 2011, 14:46 report
It's a pretty song about death and love, take it how you wish and enjoy it. XP
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Nicholas Coletta Jun 7th 2011, 10:39 report
The breakdown:
"Love of mine, someday you will die, but I'll be close behind" Could indicate that he will die from being heartbroken or commit suicide.
"I'll follow you into the dark" I'll be by your side even in the afterlife.
"No blinding light, or tunnels to gates of white" They don't see the light of Heaven
"Just our hands clasped so tight, waiting for the hint of a spark" They are in the darkness waiting for a sign of Heaven to shine through, together.
"If Heaven and hell decide, that they both are satisfied" Jehovah's Witnesses indicate that there are only a certain number of people going to Heaven, so in some religions, Heaven's and maybe Hell's allowed number of inhabitants have been satisfied(the limit has been met)
"Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs" This just reiterates the previous stanza.
"If there's no one beside you, when your soul embarks" Easy enough, there's no one to accompany her(escort her)
"I will follow you into the dark" I will go with you into the emptiness, the void, the nothingness. We will have each-other.
"In Catholic school, as viscous as Roman rule" Catholic school is strict
"I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black" Nuns whip your knuckles, for many different things
"I held my tongue, as she told me 'Son, fear is the heart of love' so I never went back" He disagreed with her saying to fear God is to love him, or fear of Hell or banishment from Heaven is why you should love God(this is a hard verse to explain, but I somewhat agree with the other person who touched directly on this verse talking about Catholics having an iron fist like Roman rule)
"You and me, have seen everything to see, from Bangkok to Calgary" They have travelled the world together in life.
"And the soles of your shoes are all worn down" HMMMMMMM maybe just another reiteration since he just said they traveled the world together
"The time for sleep is now" They have lived their lives and it's time for them to sleep eternally.
"It's nothing to cry about, 'cause we'll hold each-other soon" Saying to her not too worry because they will at some point be together in death, not necessarily indicating that he will kill himself but that he will see her again and they will still at least have each-other if nothing else.
"In the blackest of room's" He has already discussed the possible void, so this should be clear by now.
Too many people saying he doesn't believe in Heaven or Hell, that's not the case. This might be an interpretation site but, some people are wrong on so many levels just because their brains don't function correctly.
This song is not anti-Christian, he does talk about turning his back on Catholicism but not religion as a whole. He is not saying that love for another person is more important than love for God, it's not brought up in that manner in any way. All-and-all, this is simply a love song saying that even in death I will stay by your side no matter what. -
Lauraw884 May 30th 2011, 12:03 report
"Love of mine some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark"
When his love eventually dies... he will not live without her so has decided to go with her... to follow her into the darkness of death.
"No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs"
That nothing will be there... just nothingness... but they will be together wherever death will lead them. Even if it is not heaven or hell... they will forever be together with their hands "clasped so tight" and nothing will change that.
“If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark”
If no one is with her when she one day dies... if no one is there to take care of her... he will of course go with her to be by her side for ever... sole and sole.
“In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back”
In a school that he once went to... they told him that fear is the heart of love.... he strongly disagrees with this... if you take it to the religious side... they love their god so they fear him? This doesn’t make much sense. He feels that he should not be afraid of the death to come... and isn’t. Because he will be with her and wherever they are lead there is never anything to fear. In heaven or hell... or in the nothingness... there is nothing to fear.
“You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms”
He has lived a long happy life at her side... travelling the world with her by his side (or it feels that way... an adventure). He is saying that it is okay for them to rest now... they have lived long and loved long... they can now sleep.. die happily together now that their lives are coming to an end... (shoes worn down) ... but soon enough they will be together in the darkness... happy together. -
anonymous May 25th 2011, 00:34 report
"Fear is the heart of love" is the key line here. He " never went back" because he doesn't believe that we love God in fear. She basically said " If you don't love God, you go to hell."
I don't necessarily think he's saying there's no heaven or hell, but saying it doesn't matter if we are alone. We all need support for what is heaven without chilling with your buddies or suffering witn them in hell? If there are no vacancy signs, it means she was rejected. But it still exists. I think they both gave up Heaven ( God) for each other. I'm not sure how I feel about that, giving up God for a girl seems wrong. -
thesilentkiller123 May 23rd 2011, 16:02 report
i think that this song is pretty much about a person who is telling his lover that he will go with them any were........... thats what i think if im wrong please tell me nicely
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anonymous Apr 2nd 2011, 10:35 report
I think that maybe when he is following his loved one into the dark it symbolizes pergatory because he made a catholic reference, and catholics believe that when you are not excepted to heaven or hell you go to pergatory.
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anonymous Mar 9th 2011, 18:43 report
To me this song is mine and my exes song. We are both in relationships and even though we know that we have to move on, when we die we will b together. We are meant to be together and we both know it. This song is ares. Its basically saying in the end we will be together and I will follow you. I honestly can not wait till that day comes.
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anonymous Mar 6th 2011, 20:19 report
It is about a lover dieing so he will comite suicide aka following her into to the dark. If you saw the music video he is very depressed then jumps into a hole aka hell or the afterlife and following her into the afterlife
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anonymous Aug 29th 2010, 02:40 report
From what I can see the protagonist in this song isn't quite sure about what will happen after he and his love die. He sort of hints that he may be leaving his religion when he mentions the bit about the catholic school. It implies that his "special someone" does believe in the traditional ways of heaven and hell. But, he is saying that no matter which is correct he will follow her always, in life, after death, for eternity always loving her.
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mrbblck14 Aug 9th 2010, 10:04 report
I feel like a lot of people are misinterpreting the verse about Catholic school and the nun. I think this is the most important verse in the song, especially the "FEAR IS THE HEART OF LOVE" part. He disagreed with the nun, as anyone with ration would. In fact, I am Catholic, and I can find proof in the bible that would disprove or disagree with the nun, in John 4:18: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Just because he never went back to Catholic school does not mean he abandoned his faith, it meant he had questions about what was being taught, because the teachings did not align with his own experience of love.
He is not even implying that Heaven and Hell do not exist, but rather quite the opposite. There may be undertones of sarcasm about the Catholic faith, or just Christianity in general, when talking about the "no's on their vacancy signs", but he is aware that they exist. In fact, the whole song is simply saying he would give all this up to be with the person he loved.
I would not. However...this is not my song :)
All in all, there are parts I disagree with, parts that speak to me, but it really is an interesting song with a beautiful melody. -
anonymous Apr 30th 2010, 21:30 report
Well, I honestly think this song is about a guy who loves his girlfriend/wife so much and unconditionally and he's willing to do anything for her no matter what it is and that he'll always be with her through thick and thin no matter what happens he'll always love her and he'll never leave her by herself and by the way this is me and my ex-boyfriends song I cry every time I hear it :/
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mfsnowflake3 Mar 15th 2010, 04:44 report
When he's talking about the catholic nun I think she is a symbol of a relationship maybe a parent who physically abuse him, he had to keep his mouth shut or the abuse would be worse. The abuser even told him "fear is the heart of love" in other words, that he loved him and he should understand that this violence/fear that he experienced was true love--of course he runs from this abuser and never goes back--I had an abuser once try to teach me this lesson and I ran too---do you think the abuser was in the catholic church, not necessarily a nun, maybe a priest in black?-just a thought
I also think that the person he is singing too he loves with all his heart, and when he says that they will go first and he will follow later, I think it means they are older than him, and when his time comes he will join them since there is no sense of time in the afterlife so they won't be alone even if it takes years on earth for the singer to die naturally...
i also think that the singer thinks they may not be good enough for heaven or hell...since they rebelled from the teaching that fear was the heart of love....and so the singer is saying that he is not good enough either and they will be ok by themselves in the unknown than with everyone else (the conformists) in heaven and hell... -
anonymous Mar 14th 2010, 22:36 report
I think his lover has cancer or something and that's why she's scared of dying. he's going to follow her into the dark, into death. they've been together and seen everything, their soles oftheir shoes are worn, saying that they've had a good life. everyone dies, it's alright. I'll follow you. thy sorta thing. and I think this song is MOSTLY about religion. he abandoned christinity because he didn't agree with it. FEAR IS THE HEART OF LOVE. fear hell, fear god, and obey him. love him so you don't go to that horrible place called hell. that's such an importnt line. so if heaven and he'll don't take them they'll be together. in darkness, nothingness.
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ICS Jan 23rd 2010, 12:40 report
The meanings of this song are actually really obvious, it's just a matter of interpreting the details.
He has a good relationship with his girlfriend/wife and she's afraid of dying so he's comforting her. But in the beginning he's telling her that she will day "some day", like it's a natural thing and we all die someday (which is true). Later on it goes:
"You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon"
Maybe they have aged through the song and she is now dying (the lyrics above are suggesting that she's going to die before him, so she might have cancer or something). You can tell that she is afraid of the after life, maybe because she hasn't been a (good) Christian and doesn't know what awaits her. He isn't religious either (it says that he "rejected" Catholic School), so he comforts her with the fact that they've lived a happy life, and no matter what awaits them, at least they'll have each other. He actually seems to find life more important than eternity, so he might not even believe there's an after life; "the dark" might just be darkness, nothing else. -
bub Dec 29th 2009, 11:17 report
I honestly think it goes like this:
"Love of mine some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark"
Meaning that when his lover dies, he will follow her into death.
"No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark"
Meaning that if she does not get taken to heaven or wherever people say there is when you die, he will sit with her and hold her hand.
"If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs"
Meaning that if heaven and hell say no to them, take it in and accept it and look at the bright side....
"If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark"
The bright side is that if no one is there when she dies, he'll be there and he will go with her.
"In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son, fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back"
Meaning when he went to catholic school, and a nun bruised his hands(probably smacked by a ruler), he tried not to yell at her as she said "fear is the heart of love", and he took that as good advice. (he never went back, he will follow his love into the dark no matter how scared they are).
"CHORUS"
"You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes, are all worn down"
Meaning they've lived life and seen a lot, and now their all worn down
(I thought he could have meant their real souls were worn down).
"The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
'cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms"
obviously meaning it's time to die or cross over and not to cry because they'll see each other when they're dead, in limbo or whatever you wanna call it, in the dark.
"CHORUS"
i hoped this helped. :) I love this song, and this is what I think when I hear it.
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