Psychobabble

To me, Psychobabble gives off just a bit of a "stalker song" vibe. "How did you get this number/ . . . Of course you're not coming over/ . . . I never gave out those signs/You misunderstood the meaning." If that were actually true - which I doubt, it just has that aura - I can see how she's singing her side of the conversation (as noted above) with the stalker.

If love is surrender Then whose war is it anyway?

this is seriously the most beautiful line i have ever heard in a song, but i still dont exactally understand what it means. just listen to that part

I do appreciate how songs can evoke different responses from different folks... But I'm surprised at how similar most interpretations of this are. Either a love song, or a stalker 'love' song, seems to be general consensus.

Maybe I'm just taking it a little too literally, but between the inconsistencies in topic and the name of the song, I always took it as being the babble of a psycho. I find it very easy to imagine a girl sitting alone somewhere rocking back and forth, muttering all of this to herself.

Whatever the subject matter, it's a fantastic song and I love it.

I think it's a cheating song. She's fighting her attraction to this person at first. "of course you're not coming over" "i never gave out these signs" "i'm not falling for this one". But then comes the sentence "if love is surrender then whose war is it anyway?", she starts to wonder about love and surrendering. And then she has to put her foot down and stop him in his tracks. For me this last part about her stopping him from doing anything they might regret (or she will) is so obvious: "do just what I tell you and no one will get hurt" stating that as long as they don't do it no one will get hurt; "don't come any closer cause I don't know how long I can hold my heart in two" she saying that if he gets any closer she might give in.

Now this part doesn't quite fit with my overall interpretation but if i add something that has no direct evidence in the text it makes a little bit more sense. "if you think that it's so damn easy the what do you need me for?" could be implying that he's also in a relationship and can go and cheat with anyone else, so why make her also cheat? And the next line I explain by them arguing about their situation.

Then this next chorus just makes it evident. Its a tense situation and they're still hanging out, they have to be careful "make no sudden movements and no one need get hurt" "you're making me nervous" And then what makes it obvious that she is to some degree interested but still knows that it's a bad idea: "if you know what's good for me why would i be loving you" The music makes this feeling, this pressure, this conflict and desire so dramatic and serious, it presents the right atmosphere to navigate this situation.

Then for me every line proves my view. They almost slipped "don't ever try that again" Then she relaxes a bit and teases "Go on I bet you're dying to try me" saying that in every way, literally and trying her on the loose boundaries she's placed.

And I just love the last lines, "so what do we do now?"

I think it's about someone who doesn't want to fall for someone else because they've been hurt in the past. . ."I don't know how long I can hold my heart in two". . .It's been broken before and they don't want to put it back together in fear of having it break again. . .Def agree with the one-sided convo though. . .Totally didn't even see it till you mentioned it 6Tab..

to me this is about a girl who's in love with one guy and she's in a relationship with him, but she keeps getting the feeling its not going right, e.g.

"Now, I've had it up to here Don't ever try that again" - showing she knows him and what he's trying to do

"You couldn't be more wrong, darling I never gave out these signs You misunderstand all meaning Snap out of it I'm not falling for this one" - the darling showing she's trying to be nice, but failing, and she's in a really big argument with him.

And at the same time, combined into the song, is her conversation with this other guy whos coming onto her a lot too much for comfort

" How did you get this number? I can't get my head 'round you Of course you're not coming over" - she's really scared of all the attention, its been a long time since someone has really loved her like that

So most of the song is her yelling at/talking to one of these guys, then in some bits she's suddenly talking to herself;

"If love is surrender Then whose war is it anyway?"

Then at the end she realises she is "torn in two" and feels so utterly helpless...

"Do just what I tell you And no one will get hurt Don't come any closer 'Cause I dunno how long I can hold my heart in two

So, what do we do now? What do we do now? What do we do now? What do we do now?" - she's telling both of them to back off because she doesnt understand herself anymore.

Maybe this is just me - its where I was at the time I first heard the song anyway.

i think this song is a little diffrent meaning i think its about someone in a relationship but someone else is in love with her and shes trying to tell them that shes allready taken but they wont listen and she saying she cant love two people, i think its kind of like when you are with someone for a long time and you meet someone new and you tell yourself you dont like them and they like you but your trying to keep them away from you so you never fall for them,,,,,,if that makes any sense

It seems to have several parallel meanings. First and most obvious is the hostage situation. Particularly the lines "Do just what I tell you and no one need get hurt" and "Don't ever try that again." and my personal favourite "Go on have it, you're just dying to try me" However it could easily be between Hostage and taker, Taker and negotiatior, a combination of those. The idea of the 2 people in the apartment with sexual tension is a possible notion. It may even blend into the hostage situation, perhaps a touch of stockholm syndrome. The stalker scenario is also very likely (I whent to a psychology convention on crime, Stalkers were covered in depth, and this songs relates well to it.)

I am probably totally off on this, however: I see a response to a drunk dial. She still has feelings for the guy calling, but she's trying her hardest to get over him and BAM he shoves himself back in her face. She's talking to him, partly glad that he called her, partly mad because he's totally shitfaced, and partly irritated that he reminded her of him when she was so close to being over him. Not all of it makes sense, which is why I think I'm probably wrong, but some parts just work too perfectly and I was never able to think up anything better.

I like the hostage idea, however. It definitely fits with the lyrics. :)

LOL. the title is Psychobabble. she is mostly talking to herself!

there's a guy involved but mostly the conversation is between herself.

"Of course you're not coming over" - was also to herself, thats why she tells herself (again) to "Snap out of it You're not making any sense"

What do we do now?