Obsessions of You

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of intense, unrequited desire bordering on obsession. The narrator feels completely unseen and unappreciated by the object of their affection, stating plainly, "You aren't turned on by me at all" and "You don't like the way that I look." This rejection fuels a desperate, almost magical thinking approach, where the narrator attempts to "cast a spell" to force a connection and achieve "possession" of the other person's heart. The repeated refrain of "Obsessions, obsessions, they are of you" underscores the all-consuming nature of this fixation. This fixation creates a profound internal conflict, manifesting as self-deprecation and anxiety when near the object of desire. The narrator admits to putting "myself down" and acting "nervous," feeling like a "clown" while the other person remains oblivious to their pain. The lyrics suggest a deep-seated insecurity, where the narrator's self-worth is entirely contingent on this one-sided relationship, leading to a sense of desperation and even suicidal ideation, as they declare, "I might kill myself today / 'Cause I want you / You don't want me." The writing powerfully employs disease metaphors to convey the destructive nature of this obsession. The narrator describes the person as something that "infest[s] my blood stream" and "grow[s] roots in my heart," calling it "the disease in me / That spreads and won't stop." This imagery highlights how the obsession has become an internal, uncontrollable force, corrupting the narrator's very being and leading to a state of perpetual torment. The idea that "the soul lives on" even when the body dies suggests this obsession is an eternal, inescapable affliction. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unflinching portrayal of a love that has curdled into something toxic and self-destructive. The stark contrast between the narrator's overwhelming internal turmoil and the perceived indifference of the other person creates a palpable sense of anguish. The repeated, almost incantatory phrases like "Obsessions, obsessions" and "Possession, possession" amplify the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of desperate longing, making the narrator's pain feel both intensely personal and disturbingly pervasive.