Okay, first off, this is hands down my favorite song on the album. The dark, steady beat is really reminiscent of its 80s counterpart, and the lyrics are very measured and more like a chant than a "song" per se. It's a very sinister invitation, very mysterious, very captivating.
Furthermore, I think the meaning ends up being so much more incredible when you can relate it back to Shakespeare! There's a famous misquote: "Heavy hands the head that wears the crown." But the original is:
"Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose
To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude,
And in the calmest and most stillest night,
With all appliances and means to boot,
Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down!
*** Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
Henry IV (King Henry)
The accepted meaning is one of heavy responsibility, a responsibility that comes with a lot of consequences. In the greater context of the song, you get the feeling that it's a very obsessive love/lust that "he" cannot control -- there is an implication that he knows this isn't good (presumably because the lover will be hurt by his actions), but he cannot help himself, and must seduce them. This is done through lies ("I'm twisting allegories now"), displays desperation ("Fixation or psychosis? Devoted to neurosis now"), and a desire to possess and claim ("I want to complicate you", "I've got to have you closer now"). "I'm chasing roller coasters" and "Endless romantic stories" suggest that he may be in it for the chase and thrill of the hunt.
However, I love the chorus, because I am an optimist :) I like to interpret it as "he" has done all of these twisted things in order to possess this lover, who he has presumably been dishonest and deceitful towards, and the lover in turn is seemingly lost in the situation ("You never could control me")... However, even though "he" has realized this, and understands all of his actions and wrongdoings, and the consequences of it (see: "the crown hangs heavy"), the lover still shows up ("Well I never really thought that you'd come tonight").
Naturally, "he" believes that this can't go on anymore, hence the lines "Give me one last kiss".
But, it is my hopes that the lover is committed no matter what, and things are not as bad as they seem. "I've never so adored you" might be a very genuine plea -- he is truly in love and it's a frightening thing to behold; especially when you know or believe that you're someone who's really no good. And there seems to be some genuine reciprocation on the lover's side, as well -- "the crown hangs heavy on either side" insinuates that both options or sides in the situation have much gravity. The lover cannot be completely innocent. They too, chose to come of their own volition, and to return his love of their own volition.
In the end, I think that his may even be very relatable to Romeo & Juliet considering the Shakespearean context. It would make the crown metaphor more tangible (Romeo's and Juliet's two opposing ruling families, literally royalty) , and the general tenor of the song can allude to a brash and all-consuming love with dire consequences.
Okay, first off, this is hands down my favorite song on the album. The dark, steady beat is really reminiscent of its 80s counterpart, and the lyrics are very measured and more like a chant than a "song" per se. It's a very sinister invitation, very mysterious, very captivating.
Furthermore, I think the meaning ends up being so much more incredible when you can relate it back to Shakespeare! There's a famous misquote: "Heavy hands the head that wears the crown." But the original is:
"Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude, And in the calmest and most stillest night, With all appliances and means to boot, Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down! *** Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
The accepted meaning is one of heavy responsibility, a responsibility that comes with a lot of consequences. In the greater context of the song, you get the feeling that it's a very obsessive love/lust that "he" cannot control -- there is an implication that he knows this isn't good (presumably because the lover will be hurt by his actions), but he cannot help himself, and must seduce them. This is done through lies ("I'm twisting allegories now"), displays desperation ("Fixation or psychosis? Devoted to neurosis now"), and a desire to possess and claim ("I want to complicate you", "I've got to have you closer now"). "I'm chasing roller coasters" and "Endless romantic stories" suggest that he may be in it for the chase and thrill of the hunt.
However, I love the chorus, because I am an optimist :) I like to interpret it as "he" has done all of these twisted things in order to possess this lover, who he has presumably been dishonest and deceitful towards, and the lover in turn is seemingly lost in the situation ("You never could control me")... However, even though "he" has realized this, and understands all of his actions and wrongdoings, and the consequences of it (see: "the crown hangs heavy"), the lover still shows up ("Well I never really thought that you'd come tonight").
Naturally, "he" believes that this can't go on anymore, hence the lines "Give me one last kiss".
But, it is my hopes that the lover is committed no matter what, and things are not as bad as they seem. "I've never so adored you" might be a very genuine plea -- he is truly in love and it's a frightening thing to behold; especially when you know or believe that you're someone who's really no good. And there seems to be some genuine reciprocation on the lover's side, as well -- "the crown hangs heavy on either side" insinuates that both options or sides in the situation have much gravity. The lover cannot be completely innocent. They too, chose to come of their own volition, and to return his love of their own volition.
In the end, I think that his may even be very relatable to Romeo & Juliet considering the Shakespearean context. It would make the crown metaphor more tangible (Romeo's and Juliet's two opposing ruling families, literally royalty) , and the general tenor of the song can allude to a brash and all-consuming love with dire consequences.
MAN. I love this song x)
Kinda reminds me of King Henry VIII if you have seen Anne of 1000 nights
Kinda reminds me of King Henry VIII if you have seen Anne of 1000 nights