Through the wall, he threw me
I know he'd never hurt me
Daddy watch me sleeping
Praying for you silently

Daddy's love makes me whole
Without him, I'm insecure
The only girl he'd ever love
Love is one that smells so pure


Lyrics submitted by indie-YYY, edited by Fiftyfifth, fawnsnow, 0libersykes, east coast

Tell Me What to Swallow Lyrics as written by Ethan Kath Alice Glass

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Tell Me What to Swallow song meanings
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38 Comments

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  • +7
    My Interpretation

    The whole album carries undertones of violent internal struggle, particularly one of a younger girl. Alice's vocals on the more aggressive tracks like xxzxczx me seem to represent moments where the struggle bleeds over into physical manifestation. Even on tracks like these, the use of harsh, bright synth sounds and upbeat rhythms create a disturbing child-like aura. It would seem that Tell Me What To Swallow is almost a step back from the other tracks; a look at the root of the struggle that is underlying throughout the album.

    Of course this is all speculation.

    Regardless, this song is incredible. Gorgeous layering and mixing.

    giantheadphoneson May 12, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    the correct lyrics are

    Through the wall he threw me I know he'd never hurt me Daddy watched me sleeping I've been praying for you silently

    Daddy's love makes me whole Without him I'm insecure The only girl he'd ever Love is the one who smells so pure

    gotten from andy from lies records

    studiokillon July 18, 2008   Link
  • +3
    Song Meaning

    According to her Wikipedia article, Alice Glass left home at fourteen, with the reason given as an "existential crisis," or something. This song makes it seem like abuse was more likely. Especially considering the fact that not many fourteen year olds have existential crises.

    MFallenon January 18, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I feel like the song title is saying what drugs do you need to take to make the painful memories and scars of your childhood to cease to exist.

    Zukenon May 31, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I totally agree. It does seem to have a pedophilia/incest theme. It's very pretty but very dark, and stands out so starkly from the rest of the album, like the whole thing was a put-on until the final track. Incredible.

    indie-YYYon April 12, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I always heard the first line as "Through the wall he threw me"

    I sort of thought that fitted in more with the other lines, and that it fitted in with the the theme of abuse/paedophilia, I'm probably wrong though.

    But if it was "through the wall he threw me, I knew he'd never hurt me"

    It could mean, he's hurting her by throwing her through the wall, but she's in denial of it because it's her father and she loves him, or something. Maybe i've just got it all wrong hahah

    caustic_redon June 02, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I somehow find this song beauitful

    songbirdsweetsourjaneon February 07, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    These are the correct lyrics off their official website...

    "Through the wall he threw me I know he'd never hurt me Daddy watch me sleeping I've been praying for you silently

    Daddy's love makes me whole Without him i'm insecure The only girl he'd ever love Is one that smells so pure"

    amplesallyon May 31, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I became aware of this song through a clip from "J'ai Tué Ma Mère", the debut film of Xavier Dolan. It must be one of my favorite scenes, thanks to this song. (youtube.com/watch)

    sinivuokkonenon May 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    wow ...i had a hard time trying to get this lyrics...i got the first lines right but the rest were hard for me..thanks

    Downtownla12on April 01, 2008   Link

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