Blink-182's "Rabbit Hole" Is Really Deep

As the world awaits the release of Blink-182's new album California, which is due July 1, the band is gradually giving us a taste of what to expect from the new record. Following the complicated departure of Tom DeLonge, and his subsequent replacement with Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, fans have been left wondering what direction Blink-182's new album will go in. While first single "Bored To Death" appeared to examine a relationship gone wrong, the incredibly short track "Built This Pool," which is only 16 seconds long, is hilarious and random, just as you'd expect a Blink-182 song to be. Now, with yet another song out, it's time to examine Blink-182's "Rabbit Hole" lyrics to see what meaning we can find in the upbeat soon-to-be hit.

In many ways "Rabbit Hole" appears to tread similar ground to first single "Bored To Death." Starting out as an internal argument, Mark Hoppus berates himself singing, "Dear head, shut up. I can't listen no more." As the song progresses, it hints at relationship troubles, but also potential mental health issues. Even though the lyrics are kept simple throughout, there is a real depth of emotion in Blink-182's new song. Matt Skiba's recognizable vocals appear half way through the song, giving the band a brand new vibe. So what is "Rabbit Hole" about?

Dear head, shut upI can't listen no moreIt's late, so shut upIs one night too much to ask for?

The song begins with the singer telling his head to be quiet. Anyone that's ever suffered from insomnia will be very familiar with the feeling the first verse conveys. Some nights, up late, lying in bed, your brain just won't shut down and sleep, and that's so frustrating.

You are a haunted houseYou're superstitiousYou are the coldest stone carved marble faces

The bridges in "Rabbit Hole" are filled with dark smilies. Comparing someone to a "haunted house" is eerie enough, without saying they're "the coldest stone carved marble faces." Terrifying. Still referring to their own brain, and conjuring up a million horror movies, the song alludes to the ghostly feeling of something mysterious lingering long after it should. Plus, the word "superstitious" lays the groundwork for later references to the idea of being paranoid.

I won't fall down that f*cking rabbit holeI'm barely standing on the groundAll the hints that you leave are too hard to believe at allI won't fall down that f*cking rabbit hole

It's in the chorus that the song starts to really hint at a relationship that's breaking down. The rabbit hole appears to relate to the never-ending thoughts a brain spits out when it's nervous and panicking. And "the hints that you leave" could refer to concerns that an important relationship is about to end, but it's "hard to believe."

This bed, on fireI can't sleep here no moreToo late and tiredDreaming down on the floor

Insomnia bites back in the second verse, with the bed being too disturbing to sleep in, and the floor making a better place to rest. The very final sounding "I can't sleep here no more" acts as a realization that something has to change.

I am a haunted houseI'm superstitiousI am a cardboard cutout, old and faded

While we've heard all about the "haunted house" and accompanying superstition before, a new simile is added in the second bridge, which only adds to the feeling of disconnection the song has created. Now, the speaker is "a cardboard cutout," which suggests that they barely exist, which could also correlate to the idea that a relationship is ending.

With you, with you, with you, with you againWith you, with you, with you, with you againWith you, with you, with you, with you againWith you, with you, with you, with you again

Some relationships won't work, however much we hope they will.

More Blink-182 is on the way soon, and it's great to know that the band has held on to its peppy, upbeat sound, but isn't afraid to explore darker themes with its lyrics.