Probably the most powerful and underrated song on the album, especially for those that have experienced a great loss to the hands of cancer.
"For my sweetheart the melancholic
You have crossed the River Styx
And the waves have taken you away"
The person in question is dead, they have crossed the river styx, they have been taken away.
Now, I believe the next verse begins a flashback, to when the person is first diagnosed with, presumably, cancer. He can't see the physical manifestation of the illness but "I can hear it in your veins", he knows it is there, inside here.
"You're not doing this alone" repeated throughout the verse implies he is very close to 'Biko', possibly romantically attached.
I don't like the "eat your cancer" line. yes it is graphic, but it is too candid, it just shoves cancer in your face, which to me, seems crude.
"I left you blueberries in the fridge, the little things..." Again, very powerful imagery. It shows the desperation of trying miracle cures like anti-oxidant rich blueberries, coupled with the helplessness he feels because, really, its just a "little thing" that he can do.
"resist" seems obvious, and the repetition shows a sense of urgency towards the end of the song as the flashback is drawing to its conclusion (Biko's death).
The line "when you stand up, you stand up for the both of us" is again very powerful. It is saying, if you cant do it for yourself, at least try for me. It isn't just yourself that you are fighting for, fight for me, just so I can have one more day with you. Again, this view is backed up by the constant "toughen up", the "resist" at the end, and the general tone of the song.
Its just a sad, sad song, and for me, it is this bands very best.
I really like your explanation. I already understood its meaning but your interpretation made the whole song much more graphic so thank you. As you said, cancer is very explicitly stated on the song but I don't think this is bad: is a song about a cancer stricken person and not trying to be one of those songs that "depend on someone's interpretation" (most of them). There's a place for songs like this.
I really like your explanation. I already understood its meaning but your interpretation made the whole song much more graphic so thank you. As you said, cancer is very explicitly stated on the song but I don't think this is bad: is a song about a cancer stricken person and not trying to be one of those songs that "depend on someone's interpretation" (most of them). There's a place for songs like this.
I think the "eat your cancer" line is a nod to Nirvana.
I think the "eat your cancer" line is a nod to Nirvana.
From Heart Shaped Box:
From Heart Shaped Box:
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak
I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak
I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black
Probably the most powerful and underrated song on the album, especially for those that have experienced a great loss to the hands of cancer.
"For my sweetheart the melancholic You have crossed the River Styx And the waves have taken you away"
The person in question is dead, they have crossed the river styx, they have been taken away.
Now, I believe the next verse begins a flashback, to when the person is first diagnosed with, presumably, cancer. He can't see the physical manifestation of the illness but "I can hear it in your veins", he knows it is there, inside here.
"You're not doing this alone" repeated throughout the verse implies he is very close to 'Biko', possibly romantically attached.
I don't like the "eat your cancer" line. yes it is graphic, but it is too candid, it just shoves cancer in your face, which to me, seems crude.
"I left you blueberries in the fridge, the little things..." Again, very powerful imagery. It shows the desperation of trying miracle cures like anti-oxidant rich blueberries, coupled with the helplessness he feels because, really, its just a "little thing" that he can do.
"resist" seems obvious, and the repetition shows a sense of urgency towards the end of the song as the flashback is drawing to its conclusion (Biko's death).
The line "when you stand up, you stand up for the both of us" is again very powerful. It is saying, if you cant do it for yourself, at least try for me. It isn't just yourself that you are fighting for, fight for me, just so I can have one more day with you. Again, this view is backed up by the constant "toughen up", the "resist" at the end, and the general tone of the song.
Its just a sad, sad song, and for me, it is this bands very best.
I really like your explanation. I already understood its meaning but your interpretation made the whole song much more graphic so thank you. As you said, cancer is very explicitly stated on the song but I don't think this is bad: is a song about a cancer stricken person and not trying to be one of those songs that "depend on someone's interpretation" (most of them). There's a place for songs like this.
I really like your explanation. I already understood its meaning but your interpretation made the whole song much more graphic so thank you. As you said, cancer is very explicitly stated on the song but I don't think this is bad: is a song about a cancer stricken person and not trying to be one of those songs that "depend on someone's interpretation" (most of them). There's a place for songs like this.
I think the "eat your cancer" line is a nod to Nirvana.
I think the "eat your cancer" line is a nod to Nirvana.
From Heart Shaped Box:
From Heart Shaped Box:
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black