Monsters

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a life where external forces, personified as "monsters," constantly surround and influence the narrator. These "monsters" have keys to the narrator's apartment, entering calmly, suggesting a lack of control over their presence. The narrator's attempts to escape or change their circumstances by "changing department" or gambling on "lucky dice" highlight a desperate hope for a winning outcome, a way out of their current predicament. The central tension arises from the narrator's obligation to "live with all my problems," which are described as a "headache." This internal struggle is externalized through the constant presence of these "monsters." The repeated action of smoking cigarettes, juxtaposed with the idea that "in my words there are words," suggests a coping mechanism and a hidden depth or complexity beneath the surface of their struggles. The most striking craft element is the portrayal of these "monsters" as a reflection of the narrator's own internal state or social environment. In the second verse, the narrator admits to speaking to them "softly" and acknowledges that "human beings around me change my temperament." When the narrator laughs, they laugh; when they get angry, they get angry, even moving forward when the narrator recedes. This suggests the "monsters" are not external antagonists but rather an extension of the narrator's own emotions and the people they interact with, mirroring their reactions and moods. This lyrical construction is effective because it externalizes the internal chaos of dealing with personal problems and the impact of one's social circle. The "monsters" become a tangible representation of overwhelming issues and the pressure to conform or be influenced by others. The repeated refrain, coupled with the imagery of smoking and the cryptic line "in my words there are words," creates a sense of weary resignation mixed with a hint of unspoken resilience or complexity, making the narrator's plight feel both suffocating and deeply personal.