Propane Nightmares is an electronic rock song by the Australian band Pendulum. It served as the second single from the album In Silico.
The song is dedicated to the Heaven Gate’s mass suicide tragedy in the year 1997. A group of cultists believed that Earth was going to be destroyed and the only way to save themselves was to commit suicide. That way, their souls would be able to join an alien spaceship which was presumably following the Hale-Bopp comet.
Before understanding the Propane Nightmares lyrics meaning, you should learn what the title stands for.
Title – What does it mean?
“Propane” is a type of liquefied petroleum gas which is used to fuel air balloons. “Nightmares” refers to the horrendous experience of the cult members who are about to kill themselves. The idea behind this mass suicide was to rise above and join the alien spaceship.
With the title explained, it is time to understand Propane Nightmares lyrics meaning.
Verse 1 – What does it mean?
Something’s tearing me down
And I can’t help but feel it’s coming from you
It can be safely assumed that the entire song has been written from the perspective of a cult member. The people indoctrinated by religious cults are completely brainwashed. They are willing to obey the cult leaders regardless of how dangerous the task may be. In this particular instance, the cult leader is encouraging all the members to participate in a mass suicide.
Although this specific cult member is obeying the order, he or she is still human at heart. As an instinct, all living creatures are frightened of death. They will automatically feel the rush to flee when confronted by a fatal situation. This cult member is volunteering to take his or her own life, but deep inside he or she feels that “Something’s tearing me down”.
“coming from you” may refer to the reactions of other cult members. This cult member is not the only one who is reconsidering his or her decision. He or she can see that the other members are also afraid and uncertain. But it is too late for them as their minds are fixated on the teachings of the cult.
She’s a gunshot bride, and her trigger cries
I just wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into
This cult member is probably observing another member who is a female. The female cult member is marching to her demise, like a “gunshot bride” doomed to die. The songwriters paint a graphic image of a bride in white, covered with contrasting red colored blood from a gun wound. This also serves as a juxtaposition between what the cult thinks is a noble idea (white) and the violent means they must deploy to achieve it (red).
This female member is also hesitant as her “trigger cries”. Meanwhile, the rest of the cult members are preparing for their mass suicide. Even though, in their hearts they are thinking “what we’ve gotten ourselves into”.
Hook – What does it mean?
In a trail of fire I know we will be free again
In the end we will be one
“a trail of fire” refers to the Hale-Bopp comet, which supposedly pulled along an alien spaceship. The cult members are fighting their better judgement through self-talk. A part of them knows that they are giving up their lives in vain and suicide is not the answer to eternal happiness. But their minds have been enslaved by the teachings of the cult. Sadly, they believe that taking their own lives will allow them to “be free again”.
An interesting fact about mass suicides is that even if a few people want to back down, the others do not allow it. They convince and encourage those who get cold feet. Generic statements of motivation like “we will be free again” and “we will be one” are tossed around to ensure that everyone takes part in the suicide.
In a trail of fire I’ll burn before you bury me
Set your sights for the sun
The logic behind committing suicide is to escape in the alien spaceship before the Earth gets destroyed. Completely brainwashed, the cult members are willing to “burn” in “a trail of fire”, before they presumably die in an apocalyptic event. In the real event of Heaven’s Gate mass suicide, the members did not burn themselves. Instead, they ingested poison and covered their heads with a plastic bag to induce asphyxiation.
“sights for the sun” may have religious connotations. Sunlight has been a symbol of god’s strength, heaven’s opulence and hope. The cult members wish to go to a similar metaphysical place by committing mass suicide.
These lines are another example of self-assurance, so that no member leaves the pact and survives.
Bridge – What does it mean?
Mind is willing
Soul remains
The bridge captures the true nightmarish essence of Propane Nightmares lyrics meaning. Due to being exposed to the teachings of the cult for prolonged periods, cult members begin to truly believe in superstitions. Their mind propels them to do the cult’s bidding. Their soul however has not changed. In this context, the soul refers to the basic humanity found within every person. It is this humanity that makes you appreciate and cherish life. It encourages you to do good and make yourself useful to those in need. But a cultist’s mind has been corrupted. So the essence of the soul is suppressed.
This woman cannot be saved
From the trail into the fire
Mind is willing
Soul remains
This woman cannot be saved
From the trail into the fire
The extent of the brainwashing is so severe that no cult member can be saved. They have convinced themselves that suicide is the only path to salvation available. That does not mean they are absolutely sure about what they are doing. But their minds won’t let them quit now.
Anything to bring it on home
Bring it on home
Bring it on home
Bring it on home
The cult members have talked themselves into the pact of suicide. They are ready to “bring it on home”, meaning, ready to take their lives.
Link – What does it mean?
Flesh too weak to choke the self
Heal the wounds or crack the shell
Lift yourself from what’s below
Flesh too weak to choke the self
Heal the wounds or crack the shell
Lift yourself from what’s below
These lines could refer to the final moments of the cult members. Since the Heaven Gate’s members committed suicide by consuming poison, their flesh is slowly becoming “too weak”. In the last remaining seconds before their death, the members instinctively wish to “heal the wounds”. “crack the shell” may refer to the fact that the members were suffering under the influence of poison. They began wishing for a more instantaneous death.
“what’s below” could refer to Earth. The entire purpose of taking their lives was to leave Earth and join the aliens in the new world.
Raise the anchor, bring it on home
Bring it on home
Bring it on home
Bring it on home
These lines are like a ship captain’s command. The cult leader is encouraging all the members to climb aboard and leave the Earth behind.
Hope you have now understood Propane Nightmares lyrics meaning.
Conclusion
This song talks about the basic desire of human beings to want to live and flourish. The idea of extreme cults goes against this fundamental nature, leading to confusion. Capturing the essence of that dilemma is the true Propane Nightmares lyrics meaning.
