Revision as of 11:24, 20 May 2009

"Leave a Scar" is the third track from Marilyn Manson's 2009 release The High End of Low. Its title was revealed on April 7, 2009, in a blog which described both it and eight other songs from the album.^[1]

Music details

A blog by Metal Hammer describes "Leave a Scar" as "[bursting] open with drums, bass and a swaggering guitar riff with an additional high guitar lick that all subsides before you can grab onto it, as the vocals kick in. The track's mid-tempo 4/4 beats are slow dancefloor fodder and the pleading chorus "whatever doesn't kill you, is gonna leave a scar" are anthemic Manson par excellence. The grating twanging insistent guitar riff comes back with the twinkling and distorted guitar loop that again yield to Manson's vocals. His tone here in the verse is less emotional, but the short middle eight has his signature split harmonies using falsetto and harmony to eerie and evocative effect."^[1] The Quietus' John Robb cited that "This one could be the single but I imagine those cowards at er, 'alternative' radio backing off from the heart of darkness that Manson occupies- their boundaries are defined by Coldplay and not stadium acts like Manson."^[2]

In his review for Allmusic, Phil Freeman, who was unsatisfied by the album, criticized the song's lyrics "If you touch me I'll be smeared/You'll be stained for the rest of your life" for feeling "like [Manson]'s trying to convince himself as much as the audience."^[3]

Appearances

Albums

• The High End of Low

Versions

• "Leave a Scar" — Appears on The High End of Low
• "Leave a Scar" (Alternate Version) — Appears on the deluxe edition of The High End of Low
• "maybeharmfulifswallowed" — Early mix; appears on Unruly Demos.

Lyrics

    It's not like I made myself a list of new and different ways,
    to murder your heart
    I'm just a painting that's still wet
    If you touch me I'll be smeared, you'll be stained,
    stained for the rest of your life
    
    So turn around and walk away,
    before we confuse the way, we abuse each other
    If you're not afraid of getting hurt
    then I am not afraid of how much I hurt you
    
    I'm well aware I'm a danger to myself,
    are you aware I'm a danger to others?
    There's a crack in my soul, you thought was a smile
    
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    leave a scar,
    leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you
    is gonna leave a scar
    
    I'm more like a silver bullet
    than I'm like a gun,
    I'm not easy to hold
    I'm moving fast and if I stay inside your heart,
    I'm certain that this will be the end of your life
    
    So turn around and walk away,
    before we confuse the way, we abuse each other
    If you're not afraid of getting hurt
    then I am not afraid of how much I hurt you
    
    I'm well aware I'm a danger to myself,
    are you aware I'm a danger to others?
    There's a crack in my soul, you thought was a smile
    
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    leave a scar,
    leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you
    is gonna leave a scar
    
    I should warn you that you may fuck me
    but the chances are, I'm gonna fuck you over
    
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you,
    is gonna leave a scar
    leave a scar,
    leave a scar
    Whatever doesn't kill you
    is gonna leave a scar

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Marilyn Manson 'High End Of Low' Album Track-By-Track. Metal Hammer. April 7, 2009.
2. ↑ Marilyn Manson's High End Of Low Reviewed Track-By-Track. John Robb. The Quietus. May 12, 2009
3. ↑ The High End of Low. Phil Freeman. Allmusic. May 16, 2009.