I find there are a number of rather deep psychological insights in these lyrics.
Human music seems to refer to love and/or romantic/ sexual attraction.
The narrator seems to be struggling with fear of intimacy. While he is attracted to the person he sings to (I know your lip was made for kissing), he is afraid to pursue her – love and intimacy being more than he can bear (sickly sweet like overripe meringues). He has refused to pursue any intimacy despite urgings of friends, society, and or potential lovers (I hung the phone up many times on angels when they rang). He feels broken (I was born with something missing) which is what people who have experience childhood trauma and/or neglect when living in a dysfunctional/ alcoholic/ abusive family situation. Perhaps the abuse (slept on glass) is self-imposed, or perhaps not. Some of the fear of intimacy comes from a previous failed relationship (I had a girl the shape of you…). But it appears the fear is a more long-term issue (I've forgotten what it's like, if I ever knew at all).
While he is admittedly confused about this love/attraction thing, he seems to have some grasp of possible solutions: one is mindfulness (When you're thin and damp and shoddy / Just remember that you're in a body) and the angel telling him he must confront his fears ( What scares you most will set you free).
I find there are a number of rather deep psychological insights in these lyrics.
Human music seems to refer to love and/or romantic/ sexual attraction.
The narrator seems to be struggling with fear of intimacy. While he is attracted to the person he sings to (I know your lip was made for kissing), he is afraid to pursue her – love and intimacy being more than he can bear (sickly sweet like overripe meringues). He has refused to pursue any intimacy despite urgings of friends, society, and or potential lovers (I hung the phone up many times on angels when they rang). He feels broken (I was born with something missing) which is what people who have experience childhood trauma and/or neglect when living in a dysfunctional/ alcoholic/ abusive family situation. Perhaps the abuse (slept on glass) is self-imposed, or perhaps not. Some of the fear of intimacy comes from a previous failed relationship (I had a girl the shape of you…). But it appears the fear is a more long-term issue (I've forgotten what it's like, if I ever knew at all).
While he is admittedly confused about this love/attraction thing, he seems to have some grasp of possible solutions: one is mindfulness (When you're thin and damp and shoddy / Just remember that you're in a body) and the angel telling him he must confront his fears ( What scares you most will set you free).