Placebo – Every You Every Me

General CommentThis is one song you don't want to dedicate to someone you love, despite the seemingly adoring lyrics. This "sucker love" is infatuation mixed with lust, a kind of immature love you feel when you're desperate and alone..

You'd do anything for it [carve your name into my arm; instead of stressed, I lie here charmed] because you believe in it so much, even go as far to sacrifice yourself after a fight to make things better [i serve my head up on a plate; it's only comfort, calling late].

And maybe, maybe you know that this love is sick, paper-thin, and only here to make you feel better.. but you don't care, because you know this is all that could work [sucker love, a box I choose, no other box I choose to use - another love I would abuse].

The love you feel makes you feel better [my heart's a tart, your body's rent], fills you up, makes you feel alive again [all alone in space and time, there's nothing here but what here's mine, something borrowed, something blue].

It's a damn awesome song. But it's nothing to go dedicate to a lover.

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  @pragmaticpoetry
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  @pragmaticpoetry Perhaps because I'm a girl, but this is my interpretation
  
  Sucker love is heaven sent
  You pucker up our passion's spent
  My heart's a tart your body's rent
  My body's broken, yours is spent
  
  He has every thing he needs to be happy, but does not feel the passion any more, his enitre life he has been doing things his family, friends and gilrfriend expected him to do, then she comes: fun, sexy, this love seems unrealistic, but she makes him feel like a man again
  
  Carve your name into my arm
  Instead of stressed I lie here charmed
  'Cause there's nothing else to do
  Every me and every you
  
  He doesn't want this to end (carve you name into my arm is something permanent), because she is the only person he is at ease with, he does not want this, but he cannot stop it, because she knows every part of him and he every part of her
  
  Sucker love a box I choose
  No other box I choose to use
  Another love I would abuse
  No circumstances could excuse
  
  He is kind of self destructive, he thinks he is a bad person that's always hurting people, he tries everything not to do so, but this feeling is so strong that he cannot ignore it, it almost feels like an addiction
  
  Sucker love is known to swing
  Prone to cling and waste these things
  Pucker up for heaven's sake
  There's never been so much at stake
  
  It's as if he is trying to fight this feeling, because he has a lot to lose (girlfriend, family will be disappointed, his work...), because this kind of feeling can't be real, it's different, it's something temporarily, love you see in movies... (but on the inside he knows it can work with this girl)
  
  I serve my head up on a plate
  It's only comfort, calling late
  'Cause there's nothing else to do
  Every me and every you
  
  now it is already too late for remorse, she can do anything she wants, because he is hers and she is his, they have such a strong connection, they know every part of each other: physically, emotionally...
  

  Flag valerie109on August 02, 2016  

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  @pragmaticpoetry Perhaps because I'm a girl, but this is my interpretation
  
  Sucker love is heaven sent
  You pucker up our passion's spent
  My heart's a tart your body's rent
  My body's broken, yours is spent
  
  He has every thing he needs to be happy, but does not feel the passion any more, his enitre life he has been doing things his family, friends and gilrfriend expected him to do, then she comes: fun, sexy, this love seems unrealistic, but she makes him feel like a man again
  
  Carve your name into my arm
  Instead of stressed I lie here charmed
  'Cause there's nothing else to do
  Every me and every you
  
  He doesn't want this to end (carve you name into my arm is something permanent), because she is the only person he is at ease with, he does not want this, but he cannot stop it, because she knows every part of him and he every part of her
  
  Sucker love a box I choose
  No other box I choose to use
  Another love I would abuse
  No circumstances could excuse
  
  He is kind of self destructive, he thinks he is a bad person that's always hurting people, he tries everything not to do so, but this feeling is so strong that he cannot ignore it, it almost feels like an addiction
  
  Sucker love is known to swing
  Prone to cling and waste these things
  Pucker up for heaven's sake
  There's never been so much at stake
  
  It's as if he is trying to fight this feeling, because he has a lot to lose (girlfriend, family will be disappointed, his work...), because this kind of feeling can't be real, it's different, it's something temporarily, love you see in movies... (but on the inside he knows it can work with this girl)
  
  I serve my head up on a plate
  It's only comfort, calling late
  'Cause there's nothing else to do
  Every me and every you
  
  now it is already too late for remorse, she can do anything she wants, because he is hers and she is his, they have such a strong connection, they know every part of each other: physically, emotionally...
  

  Flag valerie109on August 02, 2016  

General CommentI agree with pragmaticpoetry in their interpretations of the lyrics that they chose, but not in the conclusion to be pulled from it.

I think this song is about how destructive relationships are romanticized in our society. For example Twilight, by Stephenie Meyers encourages all the factors of an abusive relationship, intimidation, force, posessiveness... "Sucker love I always find, Someone to bruise and leave behind" could be interpreted as the normality with which people hurt their partners, as if it were an inevitable part of a relationship.

Our society encourages relationships formed purely to drive away loneliness and feel like somebody cares, rather than out of love for that specific person.
Every you and every me mocks this concept, for example "pucker up for heaven's sake, there's never been so much at stake" questions the importance of looks in partner selection, as if it were the most important thing in the world, which is what the media claims. I've picked apart a clearasil, axe and another advert for teeth whitening procedures (cannot remember the brand) and the message really relates to that song lyric.
"if you don't get rid of those pimples you'll never get the girls"
"this deodorant is like a magnet for girls"
"your wedding can only be perfect if your smile is white enough"

On the topic of weddings, "something borrowed, something blue", rather than a cute comment on being together forever is the mockery of all these traditions that are followed in the ceremony to prove to your partner that in 3 years you'll still care for them.

It's a beautiful song, in its own way.

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  @joolsjools

General CommentAnother obvious one. He's talking about being the type of person that will find someone to fuck and even as the other party becomes obsessed, he can get by without being scathed whatsoever. It's a song about being callous in affairs of love. That's why it was a fit for Cruel Intentions and that's all it means. Not that complicated folks. It's talking about using the opposite sex for whatever reason it might happen.

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  @BuckWilder

My InterpretationLiterally interpreting it would be like that, but what is great about placebo is that their songs are open to the meaning one can give them. I also see drugs, s-m, prostitution, loveless and destructive relationships, self cutting, unrequited love, and so on, it's up to the listener. For me none of these things (right now) make much sense really, I think it's about one night stands, being the 'me' and the 'you' the example of people who do it, when they are only two scared ones who want to be loved (even for one night) and think that through sex can find the love they lack but end up disappointed and alone 'cause the only thing that seemed to be ''a feeling'' has gone after a moment…
Obviously it doesn’t fit much with the lyrics but it’s just what I think of when I listen to it.

ps: I'm sorry about my english ;)

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  @mymeds

My OpinionI know I'm not the only person who has thought of this.

Is anyone pulling a Doctor Who motif out of this?
I doubt that is what Brian intended to do (then again, maybe he would) but every down to "The Box I choose" "Sucker love I always find, Someone to bruise and leave behind" and "All alone in space and time
There's nothing here but what here's here's mine" seems to line up.

I know it's silly, but it made me giggle.

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  @ExsRAUS
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  I've always thought this. I doubt it is what Brian had in mind, but I like to think that he sort of knew.
  
  But definitely. Especially
  "All alone in space and time
  There's nothing here, but what here's mine.
  Something borrowed, something blue
  Every Me and every you."
  
  As in the TARDIS is all he has, which he stole or 'borrowed' (I didn't feel the need to point out that it was blue), also the marriage reference, and the TARDIS being his 'wife'. But I like to think of "Every me and every you" as all of his regenerations and his companions.
  
  Also, "No other box I choose to use" etc, also about the TARDIS
  
  "Another love I would abuse,
  No circumstances could excuse"
  Which I see as the Doctor falling in love with (with varying depth) each of his companions, and fashioning into weapons, as pointed out by Davros at the end of series 4, and there being no excuse for it.
  
  
  I love both these things too much.

  Flag nickloukion October 08, 2011  

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  The Doctor Who novel "Placebo Effect" written by Gary Russell

  Flag silverlinron January 20, 2013  

Lyric CorrectionI'm surprised that nobody caught the Doctor Who reference within the lyrics.

"Sucker lover box I choose,"
"No other box I choose to use," and
"Something borrowed, something blue" all refer to the TARDIS.

"All alone in space and time
There's nothing here and what here's mine" refers to The Doctor being a Time Lord and having nothing other than occasional companions. What he does have for himself is the TARDIS, which he "borrowed" from a factory and without the TARDIS there would be no real purpose to his existence.

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  @HanuciaKolaczova
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  Every single time I hear this song I think of Doctor Who! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

  Flag OldFriendson August 30, 2012  

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  It's probably because Moffat and this song refer to the same rhyme (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…). Though some of the references are almost a bit too coincidental ..

  Flag Feepyon September 03, 2012  

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  If you see what I posted about it, I agree with you SO MUCH but I kind of analyzed every line and it REALLY is about the show.

  Flagged musicamoon December 15, 2012  

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  The Doctor Who novel "Placebo Effect" written by Gary Russell

  Flagged silverlinron January 20, 2013  

General CommentAllStarMe - is that because you witnessed the powerful talents of Appleyard skating to it on Sorry and hearing the song makes you want to skate like that? I heard this song on Cruel Intentions first and listened to it a bit at the time, now I listen to it again with the Flip vid bringing it back to my attention - great song but I can't really say I'm into Placebo that much.

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  @SaveMeFrom

General Commenti've always thought this song has to do with a somewhat abusive relationship, where the person can't seem to find any other love except this one, and while its abusive they love them a lot "Sucker love, a box I choose. No other box I choose to use. Another love I would abuse" but, just my two cents worth

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  @xxkrash182xx

Lyric CorrectionI'm surprised that nobody caught the Doctor Who reference within the lyrics.

"Sucker lover box I choose,"
"No other box I choose to use," and
"Something borrowed, something blue" all refer to the TARDIS.

"All alone in space and time
There's nothing here and what here's mine" refers to The Doctor being a Time Lord and having nothing other than occasional companions. What he does have for himself is the TARDIS, which he "borrowed" from a factory and without the TARDIS there would be no real purpose to his existence.

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  @HanuciaKolaczova
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  Finally! Someone else noticed that, too! I can't hear this song without thinking of the Doctor, which definitely isn't a bad thing, but I just can't believe how few people catch the Doctor Who references. They make this song that much more amazing. :)

  Flag ninorenaechuivoon December 20, 2011  

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  ahahahha this is just hilarious!!

  Flag nonameinsertedon March 13, 2012  

General CommentI agree with pragmaticpoetry's idea that this is definitely not a love song, no matter how many times people say that it is. However, I feel that it's more like a character study. Brian is talking about someone who uses other people mercilessly in terms of love and sex, and why they do it. It's bitter, full of vitriol, and it's probably one of the best songs of its kind.

"Sucker love is heaven sent
You pucker up our passion's spent
My heart's a tart your body's rent
My body's broken, yours is spent

Carve your name into my arm
Instead of stressed I lie here charmed
'Cause there's nothing else to do
Every me and every you

Sucker love a box I choose
No other box I choose to use
Another love I would abuse
No circumstances could excuse"

In the beginning Brian (or the character) is talking about how "sucker love" is so great, the kind of love where one person hooks another in desperately, and how s/he toys with them. That's evident in the first verse where he says "my heart's a tart, your body's rent". This is kind of reinforced with, "another love I would abuse."

"Sucker love is known to swing
Prone to cling and waste these things
Pucker up for heaven's sake
There's never been so much at stake

I serve my head up on a plate
It's only comfort, calling late"

This is the verse that I think the character's own insecurities and low self-esteem become apparent. The lines "puck up for heaven's sake, there's never been so much at stake," read to me like the character, who's clearly selfish, is dependent on the people s/he uses for ego boosts. "I serve my head up on a plate," means that the character is giving the other everything for a while to satisfy his/herself before s/he starts "calling late" - ignoring the victim.

"Like the naked leads the blind
I know I'm selfish, I'm unkind
Sucker love I always find
Someone to bruise and leave behind

All alone in space and time
There's nothing here but what here's mine "

The line "like the naked leads the blind" is extremely powerful, and probably the most telling one in the entire song. The character is "naked," meaning s/he has no confidence, is ultimately vulnerable and that s/he ropes in are "blind," meaning they can't see all the places where the character is lacking, that s/he is "selfish," "unkind," and probably actually abusive on some level, be it verbal, emotional, or physical. When the other person begins to realize the kind of damage s/he is inflicting on them -"someone to bruise"- the character leaves them.

"Every me and every you."
Finally, I think this line means the different masks he puts on for the different people s/he uses, but that those people are fundamentally the same person because they all serve the same purpose, that is, to keep the character from seeing his/her own flaws.

Brian Molko deserves a medal for writing a song this good.

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  @brownist