For Real
Real Blood, Real Knives: Unveiling the Dark Desires in Okkervil River's 'For Real'
Lyrics
Some nights I thirst for real blood
The speaker expresses a desire for genuine experiences, possibly suggesting a yearning for authenticity or intensity in emotions or actions.
For real knives
The mention of "real knives" further emphasizes the speaker's longing for raw, genuine experiences or feelings, perhaps even dangerous ones.
For real cries
"Real cries" could indicate a wish for authentic emotions or situations that evoke genuine tears or deep feelings.
And then the flash of steel from real guns
This line introduces the theme of violence or danger with "real guns," suggesting the speaker is contemplating or reminiscing about intense situations.
In real life
The mention of "real life" juxtaposes the desire for authenticity with the mundane or artificial aspects of life.
Really fills my mind
These experiences "really fill" the speaker's mind, indicating an intense preoccupation with these thoughts or memories.
And I really miss what really did exist
The speaker reminisces about past experiences that were authentic and tangible.
When I held your throat so tight
The line evokes a sense of violence or passion, suggesting a past moment of intense connection or conflict.
And I miss the bus as it swerved from us
The speaker recalls a moment of danger or excitement involving a bus, emphasizing the unpredictability of life.
Almost came crashing to its side
The bus incident suggests a close call or a moment of chaos that left a lasting impression.
Sometimes the blood from real cuts
The speaker finds some form of pleasure or satisfaction in real experiences, even if they are painful.
Feels real nice
The sensation of one's own blood could represent a raw, genuine experience that the speaker values.
When it's really mine
The ownership of this experience is emphasized by the phrase "When it's really mine."
And if you want it to be real
The speaker invites someone to partake in genuine experiences, suggesting a desire for shared authenticity.
Come over for one night
A possible invitation to share in an intense or genuine moment, emphasizing the desire for authenticity.
And we can really, really climb
Engaging in a genuine or intense experience together could deepen their connection.
And those blue bridge lights might really burn most bright
Highlighting the brightness of the blue bridge lights could signify moments of clarity or revelation amidst darkness.
As we watch that dark lake rise
Observing a dark lake rise could symbolize confronting deep or hidden emotions.
And if you really want to see what really matters most to me
The speaker hints at something deeply personal, suggesting vulnerability or an invitation to understand them better.
Just take a real short drive
A suggestion to take a brief journey, possibly indicating a metaphorical exploration of the speaker's inner world.
It's just a drive into the dark stretch
The journey represents a venture into the unknown or confronting challenging aspects of life or oneself.
Long stretch of night
A long, daunting night suggests a prolonged period of introspection or facing fears.
Will really stretch this shaking mind
This line underscores the intensity of the experience, emphasizing the emotional turmoil.
And this room, unlit, unheated
Describing an unlit, unheated room might symbolize isolation, discomfort, or bleakness.
And the ceiling striped
The striped ceiling might represent limitations or patterns in life that the speaker is aware of.
And the dark black blinds
The dark black blinds could symbolize barriers or a desire to conceal certain aspects from the outside world.
I want to know this time if you're really finally mine
The speaker seeks reassurance about the authenticity and depth of their relationship.
I need to know that you're not lying so I want to see you tried
Desiring evidence of commitment or sincerity from the other person.
And I don't want to hear you say it shouldn't really be this way
The speaker resists conventional expectations, valuing their current state of being.
Cause I like this way just fine
The speaker appreciates the current circumstances or relationship dynamics.
Cause there's nothing quite like the blinding light
A moment of revelation or clarity, possibly suggesting the unveiling of truth or authenticity.
That curtains cast aside
The act of drawing back curtains could symbolize revealing or exposing hidden truths.
And no attempt is made to explain away
Resisting explanations or justifications for genuine feelings or experiences.
The things that really, really, really, really, really are behind
The repeated use emphasizes the importance and raw authenticity of what lies beneath the surface.
You can't hide
A direct assertion, emphasizing the futility of trying to conceal or escape from reality.
You can't hide
Reiteration of the impossibility of hiding from the truth or genuine feelings.
You can't hide
Continued emphasis on the inability to escape or hide from reality.
You can't hide
Reiteration further solidifies the theme of confronting or acknowledging reality.
You can't hide
Continued assertion of the impossibility of evasion or denial.
You can't hide
The final line reaffirms the overarching theme of confronting, rather than avoiding, genuine experiences or emotions.
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