Forbidden Colours

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of profound, almost spiritual devotion, tinged with a deep sense of struggle and doubt. The narrator grapples with a love that feels both essential and transgressive, described as wearing "forbidden colours." This isn't just a romantic fixation; it’s a belief system, a lifeblood that sustains them even as it isolates them, placing them "a lifetime away" from the object of their affection. The recurring image of "wounds on your hands" suggests a suffering or sacrifice associated with this love, a pain that never fully heals. The central tension lies in the narrator's wavering faith and the overwhelming nature of their commitment. They confess to "doubting the very ground beneath me" while simultaneously trying to maintain "unquestioning faith." This internal conflict is amplified by the external world's indifference or even condemnation, hinted at by the "senseless years" and the idea that "millions are willing to give their lives for you" – a stark contrast to the narrator's singular, possibly ostracized, devotion. The phrase "blood of Christ" appears, juxtaposed with "beat of my heart" and later "a change of heart," suggesting a spiritual or sacrificial dimension to this intense belief. The most striking element is the persistent, almost incantatory repetition of "My love wears forbidden colours / My life believes." This refrain anchors the song, emphasizing the inseparable nature of the narrator's love and their very existence. The "forbidden colours" suggest something beautiful and vibrant, yet illicit or dangerous, a love that cannot be openly acknowledged or accepted. The narrator's hands are "buried inside of myself," a powerful image of introspection and self-containment, perhaps a defense mechanism against the pain or the transgressive nature of their feelings. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they capture the isolating intensity of a consuming passion that defies conventional understanding. The struggle between doubt and unwavering belief, the sacred and the profane, creates a raw emotional landscape. The craft here is in the stark, almost devotional language, the cyclical structure that mirrors the narrator's internal state, and the potent, enigmatic imagery that leaves the listener contemplating the true nature of this profound, "forbidden" connection.