dark things Lyrics Meaning
Before exploring the meaning of English song “dark things” by “STARSET“, it’s important to understand the creative background that shaped it. Written by “Joe Rickard & Dustin Bates” and produced by “Joe Rickard”, the song reflects their signature blend of “Rock”. This song was released on February 28, 2025.
At its core, The song “dark things” lyrics explores themes of temptation, corruption, and the loss of innocence in a relationship or personal struggle. It uses dark, poetic imagery to convey the idea that when people willingly engage with dangerous or immoral aspects of life, they inevitably become consumed by them. The lyrics suggest an emotional or psychological descent, where the characters in the song knowingly indulge in something destructive despite recognizing its consequences.
[Verse 1]
The song opens with a soft yet ominous entry, describing how someone’s influence gradually seeped into the singer’s life “drip by drip.” This implies a slow, almost imperceptible infiltration, similar to how bad habits or toxic relationships can begin subtly. The phrase “leaked until my heart was filled” suggests that the singer became completely overwhelmed, unable to resist. The line “The middle of your ocean, here I sit” conveys a sense of helplessness, as if the singer is stranded in a vast, inescapable situation. The final line, “In my emptiness, in my own wickedness,” implies that this struggle is not only external but also internal—the singer acknowledges their own flaws or sins.
[Pre-Chorus]
The pre-chorus introduces the idea of deception and artificiality. The word “counterfeit” suggests that whatever the singer and their counterpart share is not real, possibly referring to a love built on falsehoods or self-delusions. The phrase “You are my all, I am your surrogate” implies an imbalance in the relationship. One person is idolized, while the other simply fills a role rather than being truly valued. The chilling line “You only kill for the thrill of it” could be metaphorical, indicating that the other person in this dynamic takes pleasure in destruction, whether emotional or psychological.
[Chorus]
The chorus paints a picture of inevitable moral decay. “Mayday, we’ve been sinking in slowly” suggests a distress call, indicating that they are aware of their downfall but powerless to stop it. The phrase “Turning into something unholy” emphasizes their transformation into something dark, possibly beyond redemption. They are “running away from the same sins,” implying a cycle of repeated mistakes, as if they keep trying to escape but end up back where they started. “This is a place heaven’s not been” suggests that their actions or situation are so corrupted that even divine intervention wouldn’t reach them. “Eyes shut wide and going in boldly” is an ironic contradiction—going into something with closed eyes implies ignorance, yet doing so boldly suggests intentional recklessness. The final lines reinforce the central theme: “Don’t be surprised what the night brings / When you search the dark, you get dark things.” This means that if you engage with darkness—whether literally or metaphorically—you will inevitably face its consequences.
[Verse 2]
The second verse continues the theme of devotion to something dangerous. The phrase “I’ve worshipped at your altar faithfully” suggests complete surrender, as if the singer has treated this toxic connection as a religion. This line can symbolize blind devotion to a person, addiction, or a self-destructive habit. “I’ve summoned every demon inside me” implies that the singer has willingly embraced their own darkness, possibly losing their sense of morality. “And now they won’t go back from whence they came” suggests that once the singer allowed these inner demons to surface, they became impossible to control. The rhetorical question, “Am I an idiot? I’m still not sick of this,” reveals self-awareness—the singer knows this is harmful but is still drawn to it, perhaps due to obsession or addiction.
[Pre-Chorus]
This section repeats the idea of people being drawn to pain and numbness. The line “And just like sycophants, we hate the way the numb feels intimate” describes a paradox—though they despise feeling numb, they still crave it because it brings a twisted sense of comfort or closeness. This highlights the self-destructive nature of the relationship or situation. The final phrase “You know we love it (Hypocrite)” directly calls out their contradictory behavior—they recognize the toxicity but still indulge in it.
[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the themes of moral downfall, reckless abandon, and the inescapability of darkness. The idea that they are becoming “something unholy” is emphasized again, suggesting that they have passed a point of no return. The warning remains the same—if you search for darkness, you will find it.
[Instrumental Breakdown]
The instrumental break serves as a moment of reflection and intensity, allowing the emotions of the song to swell before leading into the bridge. This section likely represents an internal struggle, where the characters are either giving in completely to the darkness or realizing its full impact.
[Bridge]
The bridge introduces more haunting imagery. “All the monsters in your dreams (Will be made, will be made)” suggests that the things people fear most—whether nightmares, personal demons, or moral corruption—can be brought into reality. “Look at all the broken things (I could mend, I could mend it)” presents a twisted offer, implying that the singer or their counterpart believes they can fix what’s been destroyed, but the outcome remains uncertain. The line “Let me show you every sting” suggests a desire to inflict or experience pain, reinforcing the masochistic theme of the song. “Tie you up by your heartstrings” could symbolize emotional manipulation, where one person holds power over the other’s feelings. The final lines—“Let me take you ‘til I break you / Then bring you to your knees”—are especially chilling, indicating complete domination, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically. The repetition of “Dark things” further cements the theme of embracing destruction.
[Final Chorus]
The last chorus repeats with a sense of finality. By this point, there is no more struggle—just full acceptance of their fate. The characters are fully immersed in the darkness they sought, unable to return. The line “You and I can never be holy” confirms that they have lost any chance of redemption. The final reminder, “Don’t be surprised what the night brings / When you search the dark, you get dark things,” serves as both a conclusion and a cautionary message—once you open yourself to darkness, it inevitably consumes you.
[Outro]
The outro is a stripped-down echo of the song’s main themes. The repetition of “You and I will never be holy” reinforces the idea that they have crossed a line beyond salvation. The last words serve as a haunting conclusion, leaving listeners with the reminder that engaging with darkness always leads to dark consequences.
Conclusion:
“dark things” is a powerful song that delves into the seductive nature of darkness, both metaphorically and literally. It portrays a relationship or internal struggle where the characters knowingly engage with destruction, addiction, or toxicity, unable or unwilling to break free. The lyrics use religious and supernatural imagery to heighten the sense of moral downfall, making it a song about self-destruction, obsession, and the inescapability of one’s own demons. The repeated warnings about seeking darkness suggest a larger message—whether in relationships, personal choices, or life itself, what you seek is what you ultimately become.