"The Tortured Poets Department" captures a complicated, emotional relationship marked by self-sabotage, vulnerability, and the unique bond between two people who truly understand each other. The song blends nostalgia, poetic references, and raw intimacy, using metaphors and cultural references to highlight the depth of connection and the pain of being intertwined with someone so deeply.
Lyrics
You left your typewriter at my apartment
Straight from the tortured poets department
I think some things I never say
Like, "Who uses typewriters anyway?"
But you're in self-sabotage mode
Throwing spikes down on the road
But I've seen this episode and still loved the show
Who else decodes you?
And who's gonna hold you like me?
And who's gonna know you, if not me?
I laughed in your face and said
"You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith
This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we're modern idiots"
And who's gonna hold you like me?
Nobody
No-fucking-body
Nobody
You smoked, then ate seven bars of chocolate
We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist
I scratch your head, you fall asleep
Like a tattooed golden retriever
But you awaken with dread
Pounding nails in your head
But I've read this one where you come undone
I chose this cyclone with you
And who's gonna hold you like me?
(Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?)
And who's gonna know you like me?
(Who's gonna know you?)
I laughed in your face and said
"You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith
This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we're modern idiots"
And who's gonna hold you like me?
(Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?)
No-fucking-body
(Who's gonna hold you? Who's gonna hold you?)
Nobody
(Who's gonna hold you? Gonna know you? Gonna troll you?)
Nobody
Sometimes, I wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me
But you told Lucy you'd kill yourself if I ever leave
And I had said that to Jack about you, so I felt seen
Everyone we know understands why it's meant to be
'Cause we're crazy
So tell me, who else is gonna know me?
At dinner, you take my ring off my middle finger
And put it on the one people put wedding rings on
And that's the closest I've come to my heart exploding
Who's gonna hold you? (Who?)
Me
Who's gonna know you? (Who?)
Me
And you're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith
This ain't the Chelsea Hotel, we're two idiots
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Who's gonna hold you?
Gonna know you? Gonna troll you?
You left your typewriter at my apartment
Straight from the tortured poets department
Who else decodes you?
Meaning of "The Tortured Poets Department"
"The Tortured Poets Department" is a deeply introspective song that explores the complexities of an intense relationship between two people. They are both entangled in a whirlwind of emotional self-destruction, yet they are profoundly bonded by shared understanding and vulnerability. The reference to poets, typewriters, and iconic figures like Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith suggests a blend of artistry and personal struggles within the relationship.
Throughout the song, the narrator recognizes the flaws and imperfections of their partner but still embraces the connection. The recurring question, "Who's gonna hold you like me?" emphasizes the uniqueness of their bond, where no one else can offer the same depth of understanding and intimacy.
Analysis of the Song's Themes
The song delves into themes of self-sabotage, emotional turmoil, and the raw, often painful dynamics of a close relationship. It plays with the idea that, despite the chaos and moments of pain, the bond between the two people is irreplaceable. The line, "I laughed in your face and said / 'You're not Dylan Thomas, I'm not Patti Smith,'" highlights the self-aware humor that accompanies the understanding that they are not iconic figures of literary history, but simply two flawed individuals navigating their own messy relationship.
The narrative also touches on the complexities of mental health, with references to destructive thoughts and the constant cycle of emotional highs and lows. It conveys how love and pain often coexist, and how sometimes, even when things are falling apart, there's an undeniable connection that keeps the relationship intact.
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