I went away to see an old friend of mine
His sister came over she was out of her mind
She said Jesus had a twin who knew nothing about sin
She was laughing like crazy at the trouble I'm in
Her light eyes were dancing she is insane
Her brother says she's just a bitch with a golden chain
She keeps coming closer saying "I can feel it in my bones
Schizophrenia is taking me home"

My future is static
It's already had it
I could tuck you in
And we can talk about it
I had a dream
And it split the scene
But I got a hunch
It's coming back to me


Lyrics submitted by shut, edited by gfriend23

Schizophrenia Lyrics as written by Lee M. Ranaldo Kim Gordon

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Schizophrenia song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    Yeah, the meaning is pretty clear for a Sonic Youth song, but what I think is more thought provoking than the lyrical content is the musical content. The music further expands on the idea of a split personality by being arranged in a jagged style. The song is divided up into roughly three major sections, a part for each of the characters in the song and the ending could be thought of as a resolution of sorts. Each section is conneced by brief, but electrifying transitions. This song is bubbling with life. It's one of my favorites because of its thematic merits and its flawless execution.

    reidbottorffon June 21, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    not sure what this is about, but ive always liked to think that this is about how thurston met kim

    jclawson709on December 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I could be completely wrong and probably am but maybe... he went to go see a friend to talk about some trouble he is in, and I think the line "schizophrenia is taking me home" refers to that all of a sudden his troubles seem kind of insignificant because of the troubles his friend's sister has, and he's starting to feel better about whatever is troubling him.

    gjg13on February 05, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Schizophrenia literally means "split-mind" which is essentially what the two halves of the song are attempting to convey. Its been touched on before, but Sister was inspired the life and writings of Phillip K. Dick who not only had Schizophrenia but also a twin sister who died when he was a baby.

    Dressed2Depresson September 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    classic sonic youth

    Ryan W=BarkleyXCoreon September 02, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is crazy. I love it. I have no idea what he's talking about, but that's ok. Why hasn't anyone commented on it? It's genius.

    FREAKISHfireflyon May 07, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the first verse is just a little story thingy. the second verse is a little more vague, maybe it's from the crazy sister's point of view? great song

    kyasarinon June 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    schizophrenia is taking me home...

    jazzruleon April 12, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is one of my favourite songs. im secretly and deeply in love with my friend's sister and this song reminds me of her. "she keeps coming closer..."

    atthedrive-inon December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah such a great song, i love it too !! The first part is a little story in which Thurston explain that he met a very strange girl schizophrenic...

    the second part is the girl that talk ( Kim's voice ) and try to explain her pain....

    just a thought... maybe i'm wrong

    cipheron December 19, 2004   Link

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