Oil in the Water
Ephemeral Echoes: Unraveling Love's Struggle in 'Oil in the Water'
Lyrics
There's oil in the water
Symbolizes contamination or conflict in a relationship, suggesting a negative element.
There's an itch I can't scratch
Expresses a persistent discomfort or longing that cannot be relieved.
I can't shake the thorn that caught you
Refers to an unresolved issue or pain that remains with the speaker.
And it always seems to catch
Highlights the recurring nature of the problem or emotional pain.
Do you still get my letters, is every syllable a torture?
Questions if the recipient still reads and is affected by the speaker's letters.
Do your eyes still get childish when the sun comes out in autumn?
Asks whether the recipient still finds joy or innocence in simple pleasures.
There's oil in the water
Reiterates the theme of contamination or conflict in the relationship.
There's a breath I can't get back
Describes a breath that cannot be recovered, possibly referencing irreversible losses.
And my tongue can't take the weight of
Suggests the weight of regret and negative memories that the speaker struggles to articulate.
Every insult rushing back
Reflects the burden of insults or hurtful words that continue to affect the speaker.
Do you still like my records, how I put it on wax?
Inquires about the recipient's opinion of the speaker's creative expressions, particularly music.
Or do you hate how my fictions, make whores of my facts?
Raises the question of whether the recipient dislikes the speaker's blending of fiction and reality.
There's oil in the water
Repetition emphasizes the persistence and intensity of the relationship's issues.
There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
Reiterates the presence of conflict or negativity, mentioning an element of toughness or resilience.
There's iron on these lips
Introduces the metaphor of iron on the lips, suggesting a loss of tenderness in communication.
Where your kisses used to barter
Recalls a time when physical intimacy was exchanged for time spent together.
For time spent 'tween your hips
-Have you found some new fingers to fumble at your fastenings?
Asks if the recipient has found new interests or relationships to replace the old ones.
Are you amused by fresh platitudes of love ever-lasting?
Questions the recipient's response to new expressions of everlasting love.
There's oil in the water
Reiterates the theme of conflict and introduces the idea of blaming someone (St Christopher) for intrusive thoughts.
There's a ribbon of red
-And you should really blame St Christopher
-For these ideas in my head
-Do you still get my letters, is every syllable a torture?
Repeats the question about the impact of the speaker's letters on the recipient.
Do your eyes still get childish when the sun comes out in autumn?
Asks if the recipient still experiences childlike joy in certain situations.
There's oil in the water
Emphasizes the persistent presence of negativity or conflict in the relationship.
There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
-Do you still like my records, how I put it on wax?
Revisits the recipient's opinion of the speaker's records, referencing the medium of vinyl (wax).
Or do you hate how my fictions, make whores of my facts?
Questions whether the recipient dislikes the way the speaker's creative works blur truth and fiction.
There's oil in the water
Repeats the theme of conflict and the presence of a negative element in the relationship.
There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
-There's oil in the water
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