Distortions

Mostly in agreeance with the idea that the narrator feels a need to have an absolute and complete knowledge of himself. Also: I found it interesting how the first lines

'I'd like to know completely What others so discreetly Talk about-'

are taken from the song Candy Says, by The Velvet Underground. Candy Says specifically was written about Candy Darling - a Warhol film star and trans woman who was greatly admired by the band. The song has a similar feeling at points - 'What do you think I'd see / If I could walk away from me'. A wish to objectively view yourself from an exterior point of view, to know how you're thought of by others, see what holds true about yourself without the truth being masked by your own beliefs and ideals.

So, from that reference we can assume this song talks about similar ideas to do with seeking objective truth of the self. The 'distortions', in this case I think relate to the misconceptions and falsehoods that everyone has about themselves. Preconceived notions that are quite far from what is true. 'I want to know no secrets' The narrator, then, wants unclouded and complete knowledge of every facet of themselves.

I think, also, that the lyrics examine the kind of aloofness and extreme self-involvement that accompanies this kind of obsession. The time and energy is spent in a completely introspective world, so there's a sort of detachment from everything else. They want to know what people think and know about them but:

'... when they leave me Not that I notice when they're gone It's eery and so scary I don't know who to worry'

So the narrator doesn't actually care for their company at all. Maybe because of the dishonesty involved in associating with others - but that's sheer speculation.

With that interpretation the sort of chorus refrain doesn't need much explanation. I'm trying to come up with my own thoughts towards the other sections. In my mind, they seem to have this impression of defiance towards others/everyone. So, in the 'Your sister came to beat me' section, there's no emotion linked to that, even though the usual reaction to being beat (either past-tense or future, either way generally not very pleasant) is some kind of upset. Maybe the tone here is more accusatory, but the absence of knee-jerk emotional reaction could be a form of defiance. Not really caring about the beating because 'I'll love it when you blink your eyes.' The 'I've pictured you in coffins' part also adheres to this. A passive aggresion towards oblivious others.

The 'I'll love it when you blink your eyes' line is kinda open, but it feels important to the song. There are a variety of judgements you could make about it. For me, the blinking of the other party's eyes is like a kind of shocked blink. You know, that blink. Shock and anger. I don't exactly know why they'd be blinking like that but I feel like it doesn't really matter. It seems like a kind of 'I'll show you' sentiment. Maybe they plan to enlighten the others in some way, I don't know, but it'll be satisfying to the narrator. They'll just feel as if they're above them, they'll be able to function in a way they feel is 'right' and will overcome the absurd preoccupations of unknowing humanity.