Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of relentless, almost desperate devotion, driven by an insatiable hunger for connection. The narrator describes himself as "always hungry," refusing to give up even "crumbs," and crawling "like a worm" towards the object of his affection. This intense need persists even under a "scorching sun," suggesting a love that thrives in harsh conditions. The imagery of "crazy like plastic flowers" that "never wilt" hints at an artificial, perhaps enduring, but not necessarily organic, form of affection.
The central tension lies in the narrator's willingness to endure pain and humiliation for the sake of this love. Despite being hurt – having teeth "nailed" into him – he feels "no pain." He’s prepared to "hang on by fingernails" and act "like a slave at your feet," begging to be used. This self-abnegation is framed as a choice made "for you," highlighting a dynamic where the narrator's worth seems tied to his absolute subservience and willingness to be exploited.
The most striking aspect is the narrator's transformation for the beloved. He declares, "for you, he will dance like Elvis Presley," "crumple the air," and "disperse throughout the city." These are not just acts of service but almost surreal, impossible feats, suggesting a desire to become anything and everything the other person desires, no matter how absurd or self-destructive. The repetition of "use me, use me" underscores a willing surrender of agency, a complete offering of self.
This lyrical construction is effective because it taps into the extreme, often irrational, impulses of deep infatuation. The stark contrasts – hunger versus no pain, crawling versus dancing like Elvis, wilting versus plastic flowers – amplify the narrator's singular focus. The raw, almost animalistic imagery of hunger and crawling, juxtaposed with the grand, performative gestures, creates a compelling portrait of a love that demands everything and offers itself in return, without reservation.