Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a chaotic, almost violent transformation in a lover, driven by an intense, consuming passion. The opening lines immediately establish a jarring shift: "You ain't been sexin' kitten / But now you're screamin'" suggests a sudden, unexpected eruption of primal energy. This is amplified by the visceral image of "bare feet dancin' crazy / In shards of wine-glasses," which conjures a sense of reckless abandon bordering on self-destruction. The narrator observes this change with a mix of fascination and concern, questioning, "What the hell's got into you?" The central tension lies in the narrator's simultaneous attraction and apprehension towards this altered state. They admit to being "hungry, smitten," yet the repeated question, "What've you been bitten by?" points to an almost venomous, uncontrollable force at play. This "Tarantulove" seems to possess the subject, turning their "yellow fringe" into something frayed and their clothes into a second skin in the rain, highlighting a raw, exposed vulnerability. The most striking craft element is the repeated phrase "That's feeling sad," which appears in stark contrast to the frenetic energy described elsewhere. This melancholic refrain, repeated five times, suggests an underlying sorrow or emptiness that fuels the intense, perhaps destructive, passion. It implies that this "Tarantulove" isn't just wildness, but a desperate attempt to escape or numb a deeper sadness, like "chocolate fingers / On bed-side saucers" offering a fleeting, indulgent comfort. Ultimately, the lyrics' power comes from this juxtaposition of ecstatic, dangerous abandon and an unnamed, persistent sadness. The narrator, despite not being a "doctor," recognizes the addictive, almost painful allure of this state, prescribing "Tarantulove" as a remedy that is simultaneously intoxicating and potentially damaging. The repeated "blue, blue" at the end further emphasizes this lingering melancholy, suggesting that even in the throes of this intense love, a deep-seated sadness remains.