Skym (A A1317 Nov 97)

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately establish a disquieting atmosphere, centered on the persistent question, "Do you still feed the animal?" A "muffled voice" and a "finger on the phone" suggest a recurring, perhaps unwelcome, communication. There's a palpable sense of unease and a desire for distance from this intrusive presence. A central tension arises from the speaker's plea, "I don't want you to call again," directly confronting the relentless nature of the other person's voice. Imagery like "slide beneath the city" and "close us" conveys a desperate attempt to escape or hide from a connection that feels suffocating and inescapable. The world above, with "feet in the streets," continues oblivious to this private struggle. The "animal finger" on the phone is a particularly striking image, blending a primal, almost compulsive urge with modern technology. This repeated question about feeding "the animal" implies a destructive habit or a part of someone's nature that, when indulged, causes harm. The lyrics suggest a cycle of behavior that the speaker desperately wants to see broken. The emotional core sharpens into direct accusation, revealing a painful dynamic: "You say you love her / You know you hurt her." This exposes a pattern of self-deception and the tangible consequences of actions. The final questions, "How many hurts you've done?" and "How much you want it?", serve as a stark confrontation, highlighting the cost of maintaining a destructive desire and the lives impacted by it.