Meaning of "Chains Are Broken" by The Devil Makes Three

The lyrics of "Chains Are Broken" by The Devil Makes Three explore themes of personal liberation and self-discovery. The narrator begins by reminiscing about a time when they would engage in reckless behavior, such as getting drunk and starting fights on Saturday nights. They felt trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, comparing their existence to inhaling the toxic fumes of a neon-lit environment.

However, a significant shift occurs in the narrator's life, symbolized by the breaking of chains. They have gained freedom and a newfound perspective. They now see clearly and understand the destructive nature of their past actions. The line "when you're treated like a dog, that's how you start to behave" implies that the narrator's behavior was a direct result of how they were treated by others. It suggests that they were pushed to their limits and forced to respond accordingly.

Despite the narrator's personal growth, they predict that their former companions will come to regret mistreating them. The line "you're gonna miss me like the masters (missed theirs?)" implies that those who controlled and mistreated the narrator will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions. The masters refer to the ones who held power over them in the past, and the narrator's freedom represents their own liberation from this power dynamic.

The song also touches on themes of despair, contemplating the idea of self-inflicted harm and even suicide with the line, "We used to take pills and hope to die." This reveals the depth of the narrator's past struggle and the darkness they have emerged from. The reference to being the "master of the long goodbye" suggests that the narrator was once engaged in a toxic relationship, where they were in control of prolonging an unhealthy attachment.

The final verse brings a glimmer of hope as the narrator expresses a desire for change and holds onto a metaphorical kite. They acknowledge their previous mistakes with perfect hindsight and tease the possibility of lightning, symbolizing a transformative force that could strike and bring positive change. The breaking of chains represents the narrator's newfound freedom, clarity, and strength to move forward in a healthier direction.