“Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” is a poignant rock ballad by the American band Fuel, released as the lead single from their 2000 album Something Like Human. The song, characterized by its post-grunge sound, explores themes of emotional pain, vulnerability, and the complexities of love after heartbreak.
The lyrics delve into the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship, where the narrator grapples with feelings of abandonment and longing for connection. The imagery throughout the song vividly portrays the struggle between holding on to memories and facing the reality of loss.
With its haunting melodies and powerful vocal delivery by frontman Brett Scallions, “Hemorrhage” resonates deeply with listeners, making it one of Fuel’s most enduring hits.
The song achieved significant commercial success, topping charts and becoming a staple in the rock genre, reflecting both personal and universal experiences of heartache and resilience.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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Inspiration Behind “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)”
In 2001, Carl Bell, the songwriter, shared on VH1 Storytellers that the song’s inspiration stemmed from a deeply personal experience. He recounted his grandmother’s battle with cancer, a story that struck a chord with many who have faced similar struggles.
Bell’s grandmother faced a devastating diagnosis, with the cancer’s advanced stage leaving little hope for recovery. Instead of spending her last days in a hospital, she chose the comfort of home, surrounded by her loved ones. As time passed, the disease continued its relentless march, sapping her body and her spirit. The lyrics “Leave love bleeding in my hands” vividly portray the emotional pain and turmoil Bell felt as he witnessed his grandmother’s suffering.
The most poignant moment came when, in the depths of her struggle, Bell’s grandmother turned to his mother and uttered the heart-wrenching question, “How do you die?” This moment of vulnerability and existential contemplation left an indelible mark on Bell, resonating deeply with anyone who has grappled with the profound uncertainty of life’s end.
“Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Memories are just where you leave them
Drag the waters, ’til the depths give up their dead
What did you expect to find?
Was it something you left behind?
Don’t you remember anything I said when I said
The line “Memories are just where you leave them” suggests that memories can be neglected or left behind, indicating a sense of abandonment or unresolved feelings.
The imagery “Drag the waters, ’til the depths give up their dead” evokes searching for lost memories or truths, as if diving into deep waters to retrieve what has been submerged. It implies a struggle to confront the past.
The questions “What did you expect to find? Was it something you left behind?” reflect introspection and perhaps regret. The speaker is questioning their own motives and desires in revisiting the past.
The final line “Don’t you remember anything I said when I said” introduces a plea for recognition and acknowledgment of past conversations, emphasizing a feeling of being unheard or forgotten.
[Chorus]
Don’t fall away and leave me to myself
Don’t fall away and leave love bleeding
In my hands, in my hands again
Leave love bleeding
In my hands, in my hands
Love lies bleeding
The chorus expresses a fear of abandonment. The speaker is pleading for the other person to stay and not leave them alone with their pain, sining, “Don’t fall away and leave me to myself.”
In the following line “Don’t fall away and leave love bleeding / In my hands, in my hands again,” “love bleeding” symbolizes emotional suffering and vulnerability. The repetition emphasizes the cyclical nature of this pain, suggesting that love can lead to hurt if not nurtured.
[Verse 2]
“Oh, hold me now, I feel contagious”
“Am I the only place that you’ve left to go?”
She cries her life is like
Some movie, black and white
Dead actors faking lines
Over and over and over again she cries
In the beginning line “Oh, hold me now, I feel contagious,” the singer conveys a desire for intimacy while also hinting at feelings of guilt or shame, as if love or emotional need could somehow be harmful.
The speaker feels isolated and questions whether they are the last refuge for their partner, highlighting feelings of insecurity in the relationship.
In the line “She cries her life is like / Some movie, black and white / Dead actors faking lines,” the metaphor suggests a sense of monotony and despair in life. The imagery of “black and white” implies a lack of vibrancy or joy, while “dead actors faking lines” indicates a sense of inauthenticity or performance in relationships.
The repetition “Over and over and over again she cries” emphasizes her ongoing pain and frustration, reinforcing the idea that these feelings are persistent and unresolved.
[Bridge]
And I wanted you to turn away
You don’t remember, but I do
You never even tried
This bridge reveals deeper layers of hurt. The speaker expresses a desire for distance but also acknowledges that they remember moments that the other person has forgotten. It highlights feelings of neglect and unreciprocated effort in the relationship.
[Chorus]
Don’t fall away, and leave me to myself
Don’t fall away, and leave love bleeding
In my hands, in my hands again
Leave love bleeding
In my hands, in my hands again
Leave love bleeding
In my hands, in my hands again
The final chorus repeats earlier sentiments about fear of abandonment and love’s painful nature. The repetition reinforces the emotional weight of these feelings, suggesting that despite the pleas, there is an inevitability to love’s suffering.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)”
“Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” by Fuel is a poignant rock ballad that explores themes of emotional pain, vulnerability, and the complexities of love and relationships. Released in 2000, the song is notable for its raw emotional intensity and lyrical depth, which resonate with listeners who have experienced heartache.
The song captures the feelings of desperation and anguish following a breakup. The lyrics reflect a sense of betrayal and longing, as the narrator grapples with the return of a former lover who has come back into their life after causing significant emotional damage.
The line “What did you expect to find? Was it something you left behind?” suggests a confrontation with the past and an acknowledgment that things have irrevocably changed since their separation.
The metaphor of “hemorrhage” serves as a powerful image for the emotional bleeding that accompanies heartbreak. The phrase “I’m still bleeding from the wounds of my past” encapsulates the idea that past traumas continue to affect one’s present state. This imagery evokes not only physical pain but also the deep emotional scars that can linger long after a relationship has ended.
The song’s verses delve into the vulnerability of both partners. The narrator expresses feelings of being overwhelmed and helpless, emphasizing how love can feel like a burden when it is fraught with unresolved issues.
Lines such as “Hold me now, I feel contagious” illustrate a fear of being unworthy of love or connection, further highlighting the emotional struggle inherent in rekindled relationships.
Ultimately, “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” resonates with anyone who has faced heartbreak and seeks understanding in their emotional struggles. Its candid exploration of pain, regret, and the possibility of healing makes it a timeless anthem for those navigating complex feelings in relationships.

Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.