Song Meaning

These lyrics immediately establish a formidable presence, describing the subject as "hard as a diamond" and a "cutting tool." This isn't just toughness; it's a kind of industrial-grade resilience, suggesting an individual built for impact and perhaps imperviousness. The speaker seems to acknowledge this strength, even as they yearn for something entirely different. A stark contrast emerges between this impenetrable exterior and a deeper human truth. The lines "Nobody wants to be vulnerable / Everyone wants to be horrible" offer a cynical, almost brutal observation on human nature, implying that a desire for perceived strength or even depravity (like the "pig in the underpass / Sharing a trough with the Anti-Christ") often overshadows the courage to be open. This sets the stage for the speaker's central plea, highlighting the societal pressure to remain guarded. The heart of the lyrics lies in the repeated demand: "Give me unprotected love." The similes used to illustrate this desire are particularly striking and unsettling. Phrases like "Like a baby in a football" or "Like a fish inside a glove" evoke extreme vulnerability, awkwardness, and a profound sense of being out of place or ill-equipped. Later, "Like the summer in the autumn" suggests something fleeting and out of season, while "Like the salmon high above" hints at a desperate, perhaps doomed, struggle against natural order. This deliberate choice of jarring, almost nonsensical imagery makes the plea for "unprotected love" resonate deeply. It's not a request for easy affection, but for something raw, exposed, and utterly without defense—a love that defies logic and comfort. The lyrics effectively convey a powerful longing for genuine, unshielded connection, even if it means embracing discomfort, danger, or an awkward, unnatural state.