Meaning of "39" by The Cure

These lyrics by The Cure delve into themes of exhaustion, emptiness, and burnout. The repeated phrase "I used to feed the fire" can be interpreted as a metaphor for giving everything one has - emotions, efforts, dreams - to keep something alive, whether it be a passion, a relationship, or a goal. However, despite the protagonist's continuous efforts to keep the fire ablaze, they reach a point where they have given everything and have nothing left to sustain it. This song captures the feeling of depletion, coming to terms with the end of something that once consumed us. It is a reflection on the human experience of pouring ourselves into something until we are left feeling empty and drained.