Song Meaning
The lyrics open with a stark image: "This crime / For him / Desire / No-one / Sees it / Nothing / Cleans it." It immediately sets a tone of hidden transgression and indelible stain, suggesting a profound, unseen burden. This initial feeling of inescapable guilt or longing quickly gives way to a desperate, anxious questioning.
A central tension emerges from a plea for direction against a backdrop of fear. The speaker asks, "How can I contribute / Tell me / Make me," yet simultaneously expresses a deep dread: "I don't want to wan't to / Loose my / Mind and / Suffer / 'nother / Degra- / Dation." This internal conflict highlights a yearning for purpose or connection that is constantly battling against the threat of mental and emotional collapse.
The fragmented structure, with many single words per line, amplifies the raw, almost stream-of-consciousness feel. This creates a sense of urgency and disjointed thought, mirroring the speaker's distress. The insistent repetition of "Why then" and the accusation "Why do you give nothing?!" underscore a profound frustration and a desperate search for answers from an unresponsive source. Juxtaposed against this is the wistful refrain, "Imagine all the love return," a poignant yearning for reciprocity.
Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they plunge the listener into a state of raw vulnerability and confusion. The unsettling imagery, like a "weak religion" that can "Kill you," combined with the speaker's open questions and fears, creates a powerful emotional landscape. It's a deeply personal exploration of suffering, unfulfilled desire, and the relentless human need for meaning, even when faced with silence.