Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a hazy, almost feverish picture of desire and memory, where the line between conscious thought and subconscious impulse blurs. The opening lines suggest that certain memories are best left undisturbed, perhaps because they are tied to powerful, almost primal urges represented by "wet dreams." These dreams become the catalyst, propelling the narrator toward a place where time and sanity are irrelevant, a wild, untamed space inhabited by "wild angels."
The central tension lies in the intoxicating pull of these urges, especially as they surface during transitional moments, like "when the twilight curtains come to call." This imagery evokes a sense of encroaching darkness and the intimate, perhaps illicit, nature of these feelings. The phrase "feeling you up" and "turns you on" directly points to a physical and emotional arousal that persists until the "dawn," suggesting a prolonged, consuming experience.
The repeated refrain about "wild angels" and the act of "losing their minds" is particularly striking. It implies a surrender to instinct, a shedding of control that is both alluring and potentially dangerous. The menacing image of something crawling "to catch you from behind" adds a layer of unease, hinting that these desires, while exciting, might also hold a hidden threat or consequence. The final, almost whispered "Try little girl / Try it twice little girl / It's nice little girl" feels like a seductive, perhaps manipulative, encouragement to indulge, further blurring the lines between pleasure and peril.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their evocative, dreamlike quality and their frank depiction of desire's power. The ambiguity of the "wild angels" and the "twilight curtains" allows for a potent, visceral reaction, tapping into a universal experience of being drawn to something that is both thrilling and a little bit frightening.