Meaning of "Up in Flames" by Julee Cruise

The lyrics of "Up in Flames" by Julee Cruise explore the intense emotions that come with the end of a relationship. The imagery of falling in love like a bomb and the aftermath being everything up in flames suggests that the love was intense and consuming, but ultimately destructive. The reference to history in a book ending in fire starting a war could be interpreted as the relationship mirroring historical events that lead to conflict and destruction. The line "You should have shot me, baby, my life is done" speaks to the feeling of being so devastated by the end of the relationship that the singer feels like they would rather be dead. Overall, the song portrays a sense of loss, pain, and devastation that comes from a love that has ended in flames.