Marina and the Diamonds - Numb Meaning

Song Released: 2010

Numb Lyrics

One track mind like a gold fish
Stuck inside my petri-dish
I can't breath and I can't smile
This better be worth my while

I feel numb most of the time
The lower I get the higher I'll climb
And I will wonder why
I got dark only to...

1. anonymous

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   Sep 3rd 2019 !⃝

   I don’t agree with the first 2 comments (although who am I to judge?! I find that sometimes the same song can ring true and reveal further meanings in different times of life and for different reasons). I agree that the song focuses on the challenges of the film and music industries and how one can be hyper focused on success and miss the true value of life. I would just like to add that this is true not only for the entertainment industry, but also the pursuit of qualifications, promotion, status and success, and how it can become all consuming. Also, simply being a perfectionist can be incredibly isolating - focusing on what others think of you and defining yourself based solely on your status in life and other peoples opinions of you can leave you very much alone - no good to anyone.. my 2 cents..
2. anonymous

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   Jul 8th 2019 !⃝

   I don’t know what these two comments are about at all. The song meaning is clear and focuses on what it takes to be the best in a tough industry, specifically music for her but could apply equally to film or anything else for that matter. It takes a one-track mind and you often see people who are so focused on success that it zaps them of a feeling of humanity and connectedness, like you’ll do whatever it takes to win and succeed. That can have the effect of making you numb to the world besides your own success. She concludes it’s a reasonable sacrifice for the end goal, but acknowledges that so much passion can burn you out faster. It’s really the ultimate look into an artist’s deeper feelings about the ugly side of success, where you have to be almost inhuman at times - to make sacrifices other people won’t - just to get to the top.
3. tyskye

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   Jan 31st 2017 !⃝

   I'm pretty its about the cycle of addiction. She sings from two perspectives. The addict side, which feels numb most of the time, forgone family and friends,is no help to anyone, etc. Then there is the sobriety side which wants to shine, is over the top positive and as hard as she tries, the cycle still repeats...one line suggesting the brightest stars fall the fastest. Like no matter how long and hard you've worked the cycle must repeat, like a balance....weather addiction, life emotion or stardom, the overall message is the cycle of something and its yin and yang;the good leads to the bad and the bad leads to the good. Always and no matter what, one paves the way for the other. It's a great song, one of my favorites!
4. anonymous

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   Nov 11th 2013 !⃝

   I believe this song is talking about how Marina feels numb, I believe it's about cutting and the pain she feels inside and she feels numb when she hurts herself.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway