| Crystal Castles – Plague Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I love how poetic Alice Glass' lyrics are, it's entirely unique to put across strong messages through the medium of electronica and I admire her for that. As with most of Crystal Castle's songs, the lyrics to 'Plague' are quite ambiguous. Personally, I view it from a feminist perspective. It's interesting to note that Alice once said "We need an army because the mainstream hates women." 'Plague' could be expressing aggravation towards the way in which women are treated by the media and society, as well as how (mainly female) children are becoming more and more sexualised and pressured into being adults far too young because of the constant sexist propaganda being sold to them by the media. "I need you pure, I need you clean." Traditionally, young women should be virginial and innocent. Or you need to be aware of what is happening in the world, not dirtied by the media. "Don't try to enlighten me" Women today often badmouth feminism, they do not want to hear about sexism and oppression and a lot of people have simply stopped caring. Don't try to enlighten me - don't try to tell me what is really happening because I don't want to hear it. "Power to misconstrue" Sexism is subtle, the media gets away with it because people don't look for truths they don't want to see. "What have they done to you" You have become a product of society, the media has manipulated you to a point where you are so brainwashed by all of its propaganda that you fail to notice the dark reality that continues to worsen. "Infants in infantry" Young children are being sexualised and objectified because of the strong influence of the media. "Rewrite their history" Venting anger at the way women's achievements in history are overshadowed by men. "Uproot their colony" Stop acting blind and do something about it. Stand up for your rights! "You're ripe for harvesting" You're easily manipulated. "Virgin cells to penetrate" It's the 21st century, children are losing their virginity at a young age. The media consistently puts across the false idea that women are only good for sex. "Too premature to permeate" Children pressured into having sex - they're too young. "They can't elucidate" They're too young to understand what their TV's are telling and selling them, they don't get it but they do it any way because they think it's 'right' and 'normal'. "Never thought I was the enemy" Could be personal. Alice is a force to be reckoned with, she stands up for herself and has been criticised by others for doing so. She is the 'enemy' of the mainstream - a woman who refuses to adhere to the media's disgusting standards of what a female musician should be, i.e. a sex object. "They fake sincerity, thy gifts don't give to me" The way the 'men in charge' approach female artists with tempting offers of extraordinary wealth and adoration from the fans. However, once you lose your sex appeal you'll be tossed aside and left to the mercy of the critics (gossip magazines and the public). Fame is a path of self-destruction, but it's harsh reality is glossed over in order to make it appealing to young and talented women. "Now you've been anointed, they've been asking for it " Metaphorically it could mean enlightened, you've become one of the 'others' that pose a threat to the patriarchal propaganda. Now that you realise how badly you've been treated by society you want revenge - 'they' deserve to be taken down. "I am the plague" 'I am the 'disease' that you didn't want to deal with. I am the woman who will enlighten others, expose the industry and spread the word. I will tear you apart. |
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