Lotion by Deftones Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Depths of Discontent in Music
Lyrics
But the style’s crumbling, covered, canned
It was sick and no you don’t even know how it comes
And sifts then gets ruined by you fucking slobs
It’s classical, anyway
I can’t help it, it makes me so sick
Over and over, it sits stiff
Bound with no heart, fine ’cause this is where the separation starts arising
I can see it coming over your cloud
It’s classical, anyway
How cool are you I remember
I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick
Just a bad call, it’s so funny
How you think I’m so serious, but that’s not it
The thing is I don’t give enough to give a fuck
You’re just plain boring and you bore me asleep
It’s classical, anyway
How cool are you, I remember
I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick
Feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened
I feel sick
And who the fuck are you anyway, you fuck?
It’s making sick sense seeing how you’re sticking out
Hardly and hoping money please arise up off the fucking knees
And hop off the train for a second and try to find your own fucking heart
It’s classical, anyway
How cool are you, I remember
I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick
Feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened, feel sickened
(I feel sick, in my head) I feel sick
Picture this: the late 90s, a period of grunge aftermath where music began morphing into new and experimental manifestations. One of those emerging voices was Deftones – a band that cleverly danced on the dividing line between heavy metal and dreamy alternative rock. Among their arsenal of emotionally charged anthems, ‘Lotion’ stands out as a complex lyrical puzzle.
Often overlooked in favor of their more polished hits, ‘Lotion,’ a track from their 1997 album ‘Around the Fur,’ captures the raw edge of Deftones’ musical artistry. But, beyond its aggressive guitar riffs and visceral vocals lies a deeper narrative. Let’s plunge into the heart of this musical enigma and extract the nuanced essence of its lyrics.
The Crumbling Facade: Dissecting the Opening Act
Kickstarting with ‘I meant to come back to put out bliss / But the style’s crumbling, covered, canned,’ Chino Moreno, Deftones’ enigmatic frontman, channels a sense of foreboding deterioration. The word ‘bliss’ juxtaposed against ‘crumbling’ invites us to witness a transition – possibly a personal, artistic, or societal downfall.
This choice of words, ‘covered’ and ‘canned,’ suggests a façade, something once pure being systematically repackaged and concealed, possibly alluding to a critique of the music industry or the stunting of personal growth due to external forces.
‘It’s Classical, Anyway’: A Chorus of Irony
Intermittently, Moreno murmurs ‘It’s classical, anyway,’ a line seemingly drenched in irony. The use of ‘classical’ could be a sardonic nod to the traditional or accepted norms – in this context, the overarching acceptance of mediocrity or pretense that is frequently encountered in everyday life.
Alternatively, this refrain serves as a grounding statement, a way to trivialize the surging emotions throughout the track, as though saying, ‘No matter what is being said or felt here, it’s just another chapter in the age-old tale of human experience.’
A Labyrinth of Emotions: Navigating the Song’s Turmoil
The recurring utterance ‘I feel sick’ cuts through the track with its simplicity and visceral rawness. It’s a mantra that encapsulates dejection and possibly reflects a struggle with internal or external conflicts that leave one feeling nauseated by the very world they inhabit.
Meanwhile, the accusatory ‘you fucking slobs’ comes across like a disappointed critique. Perhaps it’s a lash-out at those who stand by passively or those who contribute to the societal decay Moreno is grappling with. The vitriol here signifies a wider disconnect between the individual and the collective.
Unpacking the Hidden Meaning: Finding the Heart
Beneath the surface rancor, there’s a plea for authenticity with ‘try to find your own fucking heart.’ This is a call to action, an invitation to reject societal or cultural expectations and engage with one’s true self – an anthem for disillusioned souls caught in a world that often celebrates the superficial.
It also poses a broader social commentary. Moreno’s use of word-play with ‘hop off the train’ implies a collective awakening, an escape from mindless conformity which he views as both sickening and cyclical.
Memorable Lines: The Brutal Honesty That Echoes
No Deftones song is complete without a line that hits like a freight train. ‘And who the fuck are you anyway, you fuck?’ does just that. It’s a stunning moment of confrontation that could be interpreted as Moreno’s moment of facing either an external antagonist or his own internal demons.
The rawness of these words challenge the listener, inciting a deep introspection about identity and the individual’s place within the greater societal machine. It’s a moment of truth that demands attention and forces engagement with the music on a personal level.
