As a longtime fan of the band and its music, I feel qualified to say that nothing about them is obvious, ESPECIALLY lyrically; that's the point, or so we're told. However, along comes this terrifying and terrifyingly good song in the mid-90's, and, for the first time ever, the song seemed...obvious. Not that I'm right.
What motivated me to contribute this is that the above comments, though insightful, don't really mention that the song concerns itself with raping someone, or at least seemingly doing so. To me, the giveaway is the line "Shut the door, open wide; Seconal, Astroglide". Not to sound remedial, but just in case, Astroglide is a "personal lubricant" that's been out for a long time (Stipe must have liked the bizarre, 50's, space-race era name) and Seconal is a barbiturate sedative from roughly the same era. To me, its mention conjures up images of Marylin Monroe lying dead with a bottle of them scattered about. I think that's what the writer was going for - an older, out West/Hollywood way of knocking someone out. If anyone cares, I believe that the original drug were red capsules, which is the origin of the term "reds" for barb's. The drug was famous, infamous, for its side effects probably more than its effects - all barbs are VERY dangerous in O/D, esp with alcohol. In fact, that's why drugs like Valium were invented - as a depressant that was non-lethal in typical O/D fashion. It was responsible for the above actor's death, and I'm sure a few more too. I'm not an expert in these matters.
So, make what you will of the rest of the lyrics (I'm sure you don't want to hear my opinion, but I think I've got it figured out) but the above line is a graphic, unpleasant description of keeping someone in bathroom, knocking them out, possibly killing them (see above) and then using the AstroGlide on them. It's an ugly line, but effective in its way.
I'm still in shock that so socially concious a band with a record of such that's spotless would let such an evil scenario be released under their name. Then again, they're always pushing the line, moving fwd ea. album, so I'm not really that shocked, either.
Sorry this took so long. I need a Seconal...
@dkomjath Granted that does seem to be the meaning of that verse. But its clearly the protagonist/narrator GETTING raped in several scenes. rather than doing the raping. " This is horror movie stuff." "You leave me gasping, tattered and torn." " Fuck with me and traumatize." It seems the song switches perspective.
@dkomjath Granted that does seem to be the meaning of that verse. But its clearly the protagonist/narrator GETTING raped in several scenes. rather than doing the raping. " This is horror movie stuff." "You leave me gasping, tattered and torn." " Fuck with me and traumatize." It seems the song switches perspective.
As a longtime fan of the band and its music, I feel qualified to say that nothing about them is obvious, ESPECIALLY lyrically; that's the point, or so we're told. However, along comes this terrifying and terrifyingly good song in the mid-90's, and, for the first time ever, the song seemed...obvious. Not that I'm right. What motivated me to contribute this is that the above comments, though insightful, don't really mention that the song concerns itself with raping someone, or at least seemingly doing so. To me, the giveaway is the line "Shut the door, open wide; Seconal, Astroglide". Not to sound remedial, but just in case, Astroglide is a "personal lubricant" that's been out for a long time (Stipe must have liked the bizarre, 50's, space-race era name) and Seconal is a barbiturate sedative from roughly the same era. To me, its mention conjures up images of Marylin Monroe lying dead with a bottle of them scattered about. I think that's what the writer was going for - an older, out West/Hollywood way of knocking someone out. If anyone cares, I believe that the original drug were red capsules, which is the origin of the term "reds" for barb's. The drug was famous, infamous, for its side effects probably more than its effects - all barbs are VERY dangerous in O/D, esp with alcohol. In fact, that's why drugs like Valium were invented - as a depressant that was non-lethal in typical O/D fashion. It was responsible for the above actor's death, and I'm sure a few more too. I'm not an expert in these matters. So, make what you will of the rest of the lyrics (I'm sure you don't want to hear my opinion, but I think I've got it figured out) but the above line is a graphic, unpleasant description of keeping someone in bathroom, knocking them out, possibly killing them (see above) and then using the AstroGlide on them. It's an ugly line, but effective in its way. I'm still in shock that so socially concious a band with a record of such that's spotless would let such an evil scenario be released under their name. Then again, they're always pushing the line, moving fwd ea. album, so I'm not really that shocked, either. Sorry this took so long. I need a Seconal...
Now tell about Mine Smell Like Honey.
Now tell about Mine Smell Like Honey.
@dkomjath Granted that does seem to be the meaning of that verse. But its clearly the protagonist/narrator GETTING raped in several scenes. rather than doing the raping. " This is horror movie stuff." "You leave me gasping, tattered and torn." " Fuck with me and traumatize." It seems the song switches perspective.
@dkomjath Granted that does seem to be the meaning of that verse. But its clearly the protagonist/narrator GETTING raped in several scenes. rather than doing the raping. " This is horror movie stuff." "You leave me gasping, tattered and torn." " Fuck with me and traumatize." It seems the song switches perspective.