Within Temptation - Shot in the Dark Meaning

Song Released: 2011

Shot in the Dark Lyrics

I’ve been left out alone like a damn criminal
I’ve been praying for help cause I can’t take it all
I’m not done,
It’s not over.
Now I’m fighting this war since the day of the fall
And I’m desperately holding on to it all
But I’m lost
I’m...

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   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Apr 8th 2012 !⃝

   It's about the cruelty of random death, how in the blink of an eye you can lose someone to violence and how the narrator tries to cope with it.
2. anonymous

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   Jun 21st 2019 !⃝

   In my interpretation this is sung by a broken heart, who lost her or his loved one(s), that might have been his or her personal hero as well and he/she misses them so much and is close to give up hope and maybe life by facing all the sorrow in her/his world, but then realizes something, that reminds her/him of the missed one and their values, words and ideals worth fighting for and knows they are not truly gone and something of them still remains in this world, as long it is defended by human being, that believe the same and so he/she keeps fighting for this, for justice and his or her dreams
   (sorry for my english, i'm not native).
3. anonymous

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   Apr 23rd 2017 !⃝

   I think the song is describing someone's need for help waiting for someone to save them. However they know that the person helping them is sacrificing themselves for them. "Where did they aim for when they missed your heart?" Basically, what they do to hurt you that you still want to save me? They realize that someone is risking everything to be their only hope out but is losing themselves at the same time. 'A shot in the dark' widely being known as a phrase meaning a slim chance. In my opinion, it's about someone who wants help but not at the expense of the ones they love the most. That's my interpretation, anyways. Others may see it differently of course.
4. anonymous

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   Jul 13th 2016 !⃝

   I belive it's about feeling hopeless because you can't help someone you wish you could...
5. DJHOLLISTERR

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   Oct 28th 2013 !⃝

   Taken alone this song represents the conflict between three different ideals; witness, savior, victim.
   
   On the one hand, the song indicates the sorrow of the victim, as witnessed by a second party.
   
   Nevertheless, the witness hopes for someone who can "fix" the injustice perceived.
   
   Yet, the witness knows that the injustice will occur, has occurred, and will continue to take place. This is contrasted by the uncertainty of the possible existence of someone who can "save the day".
   
   This makes the belief in a "savior" a shot in the dark; as they may not even exist.
   
   So, do you hope in something better, or do you accept the reality as presented and submit to injustice?
   
   Taken together with the other songs on this album, this song represents the "trial of faith" part of the protagonist's journey. This trial must be endured in order for the rest of the story to be presented.
6. anonymous

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   Sep 21st 2013 !⃝

   I think it is a battle being fought by different planets. Is it occuring on earth? Who knows but the one crying out for help can only breathe underwater which makes me think the other character the one shot can not breathe underwater. She is left while the others fight, she hears their cries of pain but can't go to them to help
7. anonymous

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   Jan 24th 2012 !⃝

   I think this is sort of saying what's the point of trying? Why do we have to fight like this when it would be so much easier to just give up on life?