Lyric discussion by regenbogen 

Cover art for Facing Page: Top Left lyrics by Manic Street Preachers

I think it's about Richey's anorexia notably with these followin lines : ''Weighed down of course I smile This beauty a dipping neophobia Weighed down of course I cry Private care, sugar pills, the flag of healing''

He was at the hospital and he was tried to be recovered. He weighed down and he smiled then he cried : it shows the ambivalence of the anorexia cos in the same time he was happy and unhappy of losing weight. The beauty which scares him it's to gain weight. Private care, sugar pills, the flag of healing : It's about methods used to make him gain weight. What's More there are the word "calories" and calories are "bathed acid red" and it refers to wine. Wine contains calories but he needs to reach the "oblivion", to forget many things and to sleep. What's more wine and alcohol is a factor of cancer. Richey in this song sspeaks a lot about "skin" and I think it may refer to self-injury and anorexia. In any case, there are themes of anorexia and dismorphophobia in this song.

My Opinion