Song Meaning

Perry Farrell's "Shekina" operates as a multi-layered exploration of desire, divinity, and the yearning for connection. The song's title, referencing the Kabbalistic concept of the feminine aspect of God, immediately elevates the narrative beyond simple romantic pursuit. The lyrics intertwine the sacred and the sensual, creating a space where spiritual transcendence is sought through earthly intimacy. The repeated phrase "As you like it" suggests a surrender to the desires of the other, a willingness to meet them on their own terms, blurring the lines between giver and receiver. This reciprocity hints at a deeper, almost mystical union. The invocation of "Havah," the Hebrew name for Eve, further enriches the song's symbolic tapestry. Eve, as the archetypal first woman, represents both temptation and the potential for new beginnings. By addressing his object of desire as both Shekina and Havah, Farrell positions her as a conduit to both the divine and the primal. The lyrics hint at a longing for completeness, a sense of being "thin as the air" without the other. The lines "Missing; a bass from a drum / Singer wants a harmony" powerfully illustrate this incompleteness, suggesting that true fulfillment lies in the harmonious blending of two souls. The song's central theme revolves around the blurring of boundaries – between the sacred and the profane, the self and the other. Farrell's use of evocative imagery, such as "That tiger's tooth when you smile," creates a vivid portrait of a captivating and perhaps dangerous allure. The repeated desire to "put my soul inside you / Put me there and let me grow" speaks to a yearning for profound and transformative intimacy, a desire to transcend the limitations of the individual self through union with another. Ultimately, "Shekina" is a complex and sensual exploration of the human desire for connection, framed within a rich tapestry of religious and mythological allusions.