Change The Blades [Early Version]

Song Meaning

This early version of "Change The Blades" paints a raw, visceral picture of self-loathing and a desperate attempt at purification. The narrator feels physically and spiritually soiled, describing "blackening tar clogging up my pores" and teeth too dirty to clean. This intense feeling of being irredeemably stained fuels a desire for a radical, almost violent, cleansing. The central tension lies in the contrast between the narrator's perceived filth and the act of "changing the blades." This isn't just about hygiene; it's a metaphorical ritual. The repeated refrain, "Shave away my sorrow," "Shave away my sin," and "Carve away my skin," suggests a desire to physically excise negative emotions and past transgressions. The act of shaving becomes a violent, self-destructive ritual aimed at shedding an unwanted identity. The imagery of the mouth as a "tunnel / Where the trains don't ever stop" is particularly striking, conveying a sense of relentless, uncontrolled internal noise or perhaps a void. The second verse introduces a bizarre, self-immolating scenario involving a "furnace" and "turning on the gas," juxtaposed with a failed attempt at affection ("should have showered with kisses"). This suggests a history of destructive choices and a profound regret that contributes to the current state of despair. Ultimately, the lyrics' power comes from this unflinching depiction of internal rot and the extreme measures the narrator considers to escape it. The repetition of the "change the blades" chorus hammers home the obsessive, almost compulsive, nature of this desire for a fresh start, even if it means inflicting pain upon oneself. It's a stark portrayal of feeling so overwhelmed by one's own perceived flaws that only a drastic, physical act of erasure feels like a viable option.