Got a big plan, this mindset maybe it's right
At the right place and right time, maybe tonight
And the whisper or handshake sending a sign
Wanna make out and kiss hard, wait never mind

Late night, and passing, mention it flipped her
Best friend, its no thing maybe it slipped
But the slip turns to terror and a crush to light
When she walked in, he froze up, believe it's the fright

It's cute in a way, till you cannot speak
And you leave to have a cigarette, your knees get weak
An escape is just a nod and a casual wave
Obsessed about it, heavy for the next two days

It's only just a crush, it'll go away
It's just like all the others it'll go away
Or maybe this is danger and he just don't know
You pray it all away but it continues to grow

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart

Then he walked up and told her, thinking that he'd passed
And they talked and looked away a lot, doing the dance
Her hand brushed up against his, she left it there
Told him how she felt and then they locked in a stare

They took a step back, thought about it, what should they do
'Cause there's always repercussions when you're dating in school
But their lips met, and reservations started to pass
Whether this was just an evening or a thing that would last

Either way he wanted her and this was bad
Wanted to do things to her it was making him crazy
Now a little crush turned into a like
And now he wants to grab her by the hair and tell her

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart

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Lyrics submitted by i_failed_preschool, edited by JohnnyRemy

Tear You Apart Lyrics as written by Adam Bravin Justin Warfield

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Tear You Apart song meanings

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174 Comments

+15
Song MeaningIt appears that most of you people have too overly romantic views on how you make love to a girl. Not everyone is into rose petals, candles and feathers, you know...

You're totally missing the point if you think this song is about rape or murder.

The "hero" has a crush on a girl in shcool, but afraid of falling in love with her. Not because he has low self-esteem, but because he's not an ordinary guy. He has a dark mindset, but tries to act normal. He understands that there's a big chance the girl may become afraid of his true self, so he's being very cautious not to let himself slip.

He accidentally tells about his feelings to her best friend. When she walks in, he gets very nervous and leaves.

Whole weekend he's being tortured by his obsession with her. In disbelief that everything will work out, he hopes that it will just go away, but can't stop it from growing.

There's no way back now. The next time they meet again he decides to face her. After some awkward moments their eyes meet and she tells him that she likes him.

He explodes. It doesn't matter now if it's gonna be a one night stand or a long relationship. He wants her BAD. But in a very sinister and dominant way. He wants to press against her chest, hold her tight and fuck her like crazy till she's completely exhausted. He wants to "do things to her" while she just lie still and submit. Of course, he doesn't want to tear her apart literally.

This song is awesome and I can relate to it. A shame that so many misunderstand it.
Scaveng3ron November 21, 2012 Link
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@Scaveng3r

I think that your interpretation is spot on.
neko12on June 06, 2013

I think you have it perfectly.
iwannaburjoeyramoneon January 15, 2014

@Scav3nger
natasha17on October 09, 2015

@Scav3nger_ just heard this on american horror story. It hooked me in straight away. Very strong and emotive (kind of sweet actually in a way). It doesnt bring rape or murder to my mind; without the added visual dimention that the scene in the show adds to its meaning. In fact it reminded me of being very young and unsure of what to do with the feelings that are building up in terms of another person being the focus for expressing and satisfying them. All the why cant i stop thinking about them what is it i am even feeling that is so strong its unlikecanything ive previously axperienced. Is it just me does everyone feel that way....do they feel that whY. How can i even begin to find out let alone do it. Ovefwhelminv scary driving but exciting and good to imagine actually happening. I personally like sex where my partner is forcefully wanting me in that way. The song is about someone who feels that way.its not about violence or doing anything against the will of a person its about strong and new attraction the expression of it with someone he finds himself unusually drawn in by and the shyness he feels about acting on it. Thats what i get from it anyway and its only an opinion of what i imagine when i hear it.
natasha17on October 09, 2015

@Scav3nger, while I can't disagree with you, the sexual dynamics being explored here (given that She Wants Revenge is neo-darkwave, and the genre already was big on these topics) are not only extremely dark, but 'just lie still and submit' is ... a tad troubling. 'Dating in school' seems to imply these are just teenagers for pity's sake. I shudder to think what 'the narrator' would turn into if he didn't get these dark fantasies in check.

And before you call me prudish and anti-kink, that's actually my field. I'm a sex therapist in the alternative lifestyles genre. But my background is unique in that I started out in forensic psychology with a focus in criminology -- specifically sexualised rage and signature murder.

Dude seems like he's thisclose to going necro and possibly following in the footsteps of, say, Edmund Kemper.

While it's fascinating in a song, our pop culture can be a very sharp lens for what our society is currently digging, or exploring. Granted, this is a bit older song now, but look at the rise of sex crime as it relates to spree killing?

Maybe our narrator is NOT so innocent. Maybe he's an erotophonophile, and has no idea how to deal with it. I wish I could say, but I don't believe SWR has been crystal clear on the meanings of ANY of their songs -- especially this one. And that's fine. Interpretation is often in the ear of the beholder anyhow.
mindhuntresson August 15, 2016

D'oh! 'Genre'. I meant speciality. I'm also an indie showrunner, so 'genre' is on the brain lately. My bad.
mindhuntresson August 15, 2016

@mindhuntress And you came this close to calling this song "problematic". It seems people always go full circle and return to bullshit assumptions that violence in videogames and music is to blame for mass murders. Completely oblivious to how many times it was debunked. It's a mind-blowing stretch to any rational individual, but, sadly, there's a multitude of irrational uptight fanatics easy to jump on the judgmental bandwagon, so Marilyn Manson got blamed for Columbine. Luckily, the conviction was so obviously retarded that the media dropped the act and didn't resort to repeating it ever since, leaving it as an obscure tool to be used almost exclusively by Baptist priests to scare their flocks into submission.

Everyone has dark thoughts every now and then (I'm not even talking only about kink). It's a hypocrisy to pretend that you don't. And other people's thoughts are nobody's business, lest we turn into a fascist society convicting each other in "thought crime". We all would be monsters if we would act on them, but they rarely escape the corners of our minds. Most people have self-control and a healthy understanding of good and evil, but there's always a bunch of Faberge egg degenerates, who were raised to think they're entitled to something, that didn't get the memo. The likes of Elliot Rodger. That has nothing to do with anything apart from parent involvement and adequate upbringing. Morons, who think their kids deserve a trophy for every fart - I'm looking at you!

I dread the day when the scientific field will become so oversaturated with SJW bias, that they will come out with a "new study", "showing" music and videogames ARE the cause. Luckily, most of regressives can't be bothered with real education and just stick with Gender Studies.

All in all, this is nothing more than a cool song to listen to while having kinky sex and it shouldn't be burdened with these kinds of debates. People relate to it not because they're all closeted psychopaths, but because BDSM had gone so mainstream in the last decades, hardly anyone is surprised it exists.
Scaveng3ron August 15, 2016

@Scav3nger I actually really love your insight wow. Be my friend?
emptyparkingloton October 15, 2016

@Scav3nger i agree, it is just raw natural male nature and i lover it :) men are beasts in bed when they meet a woman who is their match
martina100on December 29, 2017
+3
General CommentWhat I thought of when I heard this song...

This is soooo a song you would play during sex.
Holier Than Thouon December 31, 2005 Link
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@Holier Than Thou

I know, right. lol
FairCherryon December 30, 2010

Watch the film "The Number 23". Someone stole your idea. :D
coffinArton February 11, 2012
+3
General CommentIt's just sex. Really, guys? Sex.
SitarHeroon May 15, 2010 Link
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@SitarHero
+2
General CommentSo I put myself in the shoe's of the "hero" and superimposed my own life into the song. To me it boils down to a simple crush that this "guy" can't get out of his head. It's an affliction he has that is driving him crazy and no matter what he does to repress the idea of her he is unable to expostulate the idea of "them" to himself. So he hates her; he hates her because he can't control his own life, he hates her because of the trepidation she impregnates in his being and the way she has stolen every waking moment from him. But even with all that hate there is an equal if not greater love/caring. Upon the idea which has been preoccuping his head coming to fruitioa battle must be fought from within to decided which emotion will win. For that reason he wishes he never knew her and that he could just "tear her apart" and be done with her.

But that whole paragraph is leaving out one key line which may be the turning point for the entire analysis. That line is: Cause theres always repercussions when you're dating in school. This could bring a whole new spin on the songs meaning or it could just be an excuse he is using to help combat the longing for her. For my purposes I'll have to side with the latter for now.

But here are what "I" think the lyrics say:

"Got a big plan, this mindset maybe it's right
At the right place and right time, maybe tonight
In the whisper or handshake sending a sign
Wanna make out and kiss hard, wait nevermind

Late night, in passing, mention it flipped to her
Best friend it's those saying maybe it slipped
But the slip turns to terror and a crush to light
When she walked in, he throws up, leave it to fright

It's cute, in a way, till you cannot speak
And you leave to have a cigarette, knees get weak
Escape was just a nod and a casual wave
Obsess about it heavy for the next two days

It's only just a crush, it'll go away
It's just like all the others it'll go away
Or maybe this is danger and he just don't know
You pray it all away but it continues to grow

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart

Then he walked up and told her, thinking maybe it'd pass
And they talked and looked away a lot, doing the dance
Her hand brushed up against his, she left it there
Told him how she felt and then they locked in a stare

They took a step back, thought about it, what should they do
Cause theres always repercussions when you're dating in school
But their lips met, and reservations started to pass
Whether this was just an evening or a thing that would last

Either way he wanted her and this was bad
Wanted to do things to her it was making him crazy
Now a little crush turned into a like
And now he wants to grab her by the hair and tell her

I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right

I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart"
-Tear You Apart, She Wants Revenge
Walnutson January 04, 2006 Link
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@Walnuts

that's a good idea of the song at the beginning, but i disagree with it. he goes out and wants to get laid, by anyone probably. but he sees this one girl and she mentions to her buddy that she's interested. he's trying to play it cool but they keep meeting and he eventually just gives in to his male feelings. and i'm guessing that when they say "tear you apart" they mean sex. just saying. it's probably not as deep as you think. i love this song either way
AquaAndSweeton July 26, 2009

In relation to my own life. I had a massive crush on this guy who I thought was SO amazing- basically almost the one... only to find out that he is gay.

Gosh... every time I see him I feel the whole I wanna tear you apart because no matter what I do, no matter what situations come along or change "we" can never ever happen. Like it's almost like the sight of him is too much to bare.

Because you know... I wanna be close to him.

Worse- he is one of my lecturers so the whole school thing counts too.
PaulaM23on September 13, 2009

If you watch the music video- it relates better to my reply

youtube.com/…

PaulaM23on September 13, 2009

If you watch the music video- it relates better to my reply

youtube.com/…

PaulaM23on September 13, 2009
+2
General Commentthis song is about kinky hardcore sex people!!!!!!!!!! ;)
pinkaspinksarahon February 19, 2006 Link
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@pinkaspinksarah
+2
Lyric Correctionhey, just a suggestion - when you update and fix lyrics, there is no need to put the changed words in caps. it's an eyesore, but more importantly, it's rather passive aggressive. having the correct lyrics are correct are all that matters. there are some of us that like to copy+paste lyrics into our itunes and having to manually correct things (such as words in capital letters!) is cumbersome and annoying.

thank you! :)
jewdifulon August 23, 2011 Link
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@jewdiful
+1
General Commentthis band is so awesome...they have wicked lyrics that are so relateable because they're issues that everyone has dealt with one time or another. I think the narrator has some crazy fanatsies about this girl but nothing really happened between them. She's only seen from afar.
autrefoison December 05, 2005 Link
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@autrefois
+1
General Commentoh, im sorry for having an opinion. I'd rather not waste anymore of my time here.
mrreznoron January 19, 2006 Link
- 1 Reply Log in to reply
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@mrreznor

why would you find a band you don't like and criticize them in a comment? i always share my opinion, but seriously. i don't go out of my way to. oh, and we really wouldn't want you to waste your time doing it either. we all know you should get back to getting your ass kicked at ventrillo by 12 year olds. since your mom is cooking dinner upstairs you should probably get to that too. but thanks for your opinion. i'm sure i speak for everybody on this comment form when i say we really appreciated it. dumbass.
AquaAndSweeton July 26, 2009
+1
General Commentwow i failed preschool, you've just proven that your no older that 10, atleast in your mind. And you wanna talk about having no life, looks who's cussing out anyone who has an opinion. You know, i think the point of this place is to give your opinion, just so you know
Ekizzleon January 20, 2006 Link
- 1 Reply Log in to reply
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@Ekizzle

lmfao okay, i'm sorry, this is awesome. i love how you're this idiotic to go on against this guy. nice job defending yourself... ekizzle? lmao. the name of the site is "songMEANINGS". so you think it's about giving your opinion on bands? good job, i'm sure you got an A in your 1st grade common sense classes. guess what! i'm entitled to my opinion too! and so is I Failed Preschool, so if we both want to cuss a fucking sorry pile of shit ass wipe like you, we sure as hell can. congratulations for having wonderful double standards.
AquaAndSweeton July 26, 2009
+1
General CommentI didn't hear the Bauhaus influence, at all, and I'm a huge Bauhaus fan. Definitely some Curtis/Joy Division influence there, the guy sounds like Curtis has been reincarnated. Maybe except this guy isn't as good as our lovely Ian. Cool song, but I really don't like the rest of their stuff. The album was disappointing.

I think it's about two people crushing on one another, and there are difficulties. But they get together, anyways. Pretty simple, little, if any, hidden meaning.
NickTheStripperon December 16, 2006 Link
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@NickTheStripper

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Tear You Apart

She Wants Revenge

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