Mostly everything has been said already, but I still wanted to add my take. What no one mentioned is that writing a song is not like writing a story where everything is mapped out. Songwriting is more about the emotional meaning of the words, since rhythm often controls the word choice.
Everyone has had a different idea on the line "I'd break the back of love for you." Emotionally, we all get it. It's an ultimate declaration of love, so lost in this person that you would break love itself for them, but probably still be in love with them--but to put that emotion in words is hard to do. We all have our own ways to say it, Brian Molko's original phrasing being the best. :)
I'm interested in the pregnancy theory, and it was fun to read everyone's thoughts on that, but I think Dylan in the movies got closest. Blue is universally a word for depression. To me, this song is about a codependent, screwed up relationship, and the violent love that characterizes it. Songs are made to be easy to relate to, and that kind of relationship and depression in it would be something everyone can understand. The whole pregnancy thing, not so much. A relationship where you're up and down all the time, using and never really stable, betraying each other and fighting, having make up fucks, sometimes even angry sex, betraying each other--bite the hand that feeds--bleeding your life's blood for this person because the extremity of the relationship makes it feel like real love. And it's in the water. Something they can't get rid of, have no control over. The most contagious diseases are those carried by water because no one can avoid drinking, and that's what I think of. And finally, down on bended knees. This song is a plea in several directions. On one hand he never wants to lose this lover, on the other hand he wants out. The love vascilates between passion and despair. But he tells his lover, "Bite the hand that feeds--betray me--tap the vein that bleeds--suck away my life's blood--and I will still be on my bended knees for you, offering you everything. I would even break the back of love for you."
Mostly everything has been said already, but I still wanted to add my take. What no one mentioned is that writing a song is not like writing a story where everything is mapped out. Songwriting is more about the emotional meaning of the words, since rhythm often controls the word choice.
Everyone has had a different idea on the line "I'd break the back of love for you." Emotionally, we all get it. It's an ultimate declaration of love, so lost in this person that you would break love itself for them, but probably still be in love with them--but to put that emotion in words is hard to do. We all have our own ways to say it, Brian Molko's original phrasing being the best. :)
I'm interested in the pregnancy theory, and it was fun to read everyone's thoughts on that, but I think Dylan in the movies got closest. Blue is universally a word for depression. To me, this song is about a codependent, screwed up relationship, and the violent love that characterizes it. Songs are made to be easy to relate to, and that kind of relationship and depression in it would be something everyone can understand. The whole pregnancy thing, not so much. A relationship where you're up and down all the time, using and never really stable, betraying each other and fighting, having make up fucks, sometimes even angry sex, betraying each other--bite the hand that feeds--bleeding your life's blood for this person because the extremity of the relationship makes it feel like real love. And it's in the water. Something they can't get rid of, have no control over. The most contagious diseases are those carried by water because no one can avoid drinking, and that's what I think of. And finally, down on bended knees. This song is a plea in several directions. On one hand he never wants to lose this lover, on the other hand he wants out. The love vascilates between passion and despair. But he tells his lover, "Bite the hand that feeds--betray me--tap the vein that bleeds--suck away my life's blood--and I will still be on my bended knees for you, offering you everything. I would even break the back of love for you."
Wow, that's the best interpretation I've read so far. Good job, I think I get this song a little better now. X3
Wow, that's the best interpretation I've read so far. Good job, I think I get this song a little better now. X3