Inconsistent Flame

"Could've been more now we'll never know..." This page is primarily focused on scrapped or unreleased content. Please proceed at your own discretion.

"HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CREATURE?" The title Inconsistent Flame is unofficial and based on fan speculation or general community consensus. This page will be moved once the official title is confirmed.

Inconsistent Flame
General information
Artist	Melanie Martinez
Recorded	April 25, 2021
Leaked	May 9, 2022
Genre	Alternative pop • tribal house • art pop
Length	2:33 (see official versions)
Writer(s)	Melanie Martinez

"Inconsistent Flame", as it is commonly known among fans, is an unreleased song by Melanie Martinez. It was recorded in the sessions of her third studio album, PORTALS, however, it was later scrapped.

The full song was leaked on May 9, 2022.

Theme

The song seems to describe a toxic relationship where the protagonist compares themselves to a moth being drawn to a flame. The singer recognizes that the relationship is harmful and that they need to break free from it. The chorus describes the singer's willingness to keep returning to the relationship despite being hurt repeatedly. The post-chorus implies that the singer has decided to move on and is encouraging their partner to do the same. The second verse suggests that the singer has learned from their experiences and is setting boundaries to protect themselves from further harm. Overall, the song appears to be about recognizing the harm in a toxic relationship and taking steps to move on from it.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I don't know how to stay away from it
The smoke always calls me to play (Come play)
Tricky monsters conspire in the atmosphere
Pulling me down toward their weight

[Pre-chorus 1]
If a fire's burning garbage on the yard, I wanna save 'em
But I always end up burned, my body goes through a cremation
I forget that I can't build with those who lack a good foundation
Always breaking, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
Baby, I'm a moth and you're the flame
I kept flying
Every time you called I always came
You kept lying
Danced around your inconsistent flame
Wings were frying
Somehow I was always getting blamed

[Hook]
Be on your merry way, be better
Both of my antennas read you like a letter
I won't be around a fake caterpillar
Get in your cocoon, baby, don't be bitter

[Verse 2]
Don't expect me to cradle you gently
I know that my boundaries were thin
Transformation destroyed all the pages
Of patterns we once were locked in

[Pre-chorus 2]
Now my instinct won't be rushing
To your rescue on a Sunday
When you've had enough parading
And displaying of your bouquet
It's all thorns with petals scorched
And ribbons tied so fucking loosely
Wouldn't choose it (Ah)
Yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
Baby, I'm a moth and you're the flame
I kept flying
Every time you called I always came
You kept lying
Danced around your inconsistent flame
Wings were frying
Somehow I was always getting blamed

[Verse 1]
I don't know how to stay away from it
The smoke always calls me to play (Come play)
Tricky monsters conspire in the atmosphere
Pulling me down toward their weight

[Pre-chorus 1]
If a fire's burning garbage on the yard, I wanna save 'em
But I always end up burned, my body goes through a cremation
I forget that I can't build with those who lack a good foundation
Always breaking, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
Baby, I'm a moth and you're the flame
I kept flying
Every time you called I always came
You kept lying
Danced around your inconsistent flame
Wings were frying
Somehow I was always getting blamed

[Hook]
Be on your merry way, be better
Both of my antennas read you like a letter
I won't be around a fake caterpillar
Get in your cocoon, baby, don't be bitter

[Verse 2]
Don't expect me to cradle you gently
I know that my boundaries were thin
Transformation destroyed all the pages
Of patterns we once were locked in

[Pre-chorus 2]
Now my instinct won't be rushing
To your rescue on a Sunday
When you've had enough parading
And displaying of your bouquet
It's all thorns with petals scorched
And ribbons tied so fucking loosely
Wouldn't choose it (Ah)
Yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
Baby, I'm a moth and you're the flame
I kept flying
Every time you called I always came
You kept lying
Danced around your inconsistent flame
Wings were frying
Somehow I was always getting blamed

Official versions

Version	Associated project	Leak date	Producer(s)	Creation date	Length
"20210425.m4a" (voice memo/final)	PORTALS	May 9, 2022	Unknown	April 25, 2021	2:33

Trivia

• The official title of the song is currently unknown since the file name is just the recording date.
• This song and the fourth demo of "MILK OF THE SIREN" were recorded during the same session.