This One Eats Souls
Summary
"This One Eats Souls" by The Blackeyed Susans dives deep into themes of dependency and emotional drain. It paints a vivid picture of how relationships or desires can consume us, leaving us empty.
Full Analysis
The song really captures that feeling of something in your life that takes more than it gives. It suggests that everyone has their needs, but some things, like certain relationships or addictions, can leave you feeling hollow. The imagery is dark and haunting, making it clear that what’s feeding on you isn’t just a physical thing, it’s something that eats away at your spirit.
Verse 1
It drains the blood your veins
The colour from your cheeks
The summer from your eyes
And the days from your weeks
This verse sets a heavy tone right from the start. The words “drains” and “colour” evoke a sense of loss and depletion. It feels like this “something” is sucking the life out of you, leaving you tired and lifeless. The mention of summer in your eyes suggests joy and brightness being replaced by darkness. It’s a powerful way to show how toxic influences can strip away your vitality.
Chorus
Everyone needs something if they're going to survive
This one needs a soul
Just to keep it alive
In the chorus, the focus shifts to survival and need. It’s interesting how the song highlights that everyone has needs, but this particular “one” is sinister, it requires a soul to survive. This creates a chilling image of dependency, suggesting that some things thrive on others’ energy or spirit. It feels like a warning about getting too close to something that could consume you.
Verse 2
In the moment at hand
In the shrapnel and the dirt
Vows are exchanged
Pleasantries rehearsed
Here, the song takes a more intimate turn. The “shrapnel and dirt” might represent the messy realities of life and relationships. It shows that even in chaos, people make promises and pretend everything is fine. This connects back to the theme of emotional drain, as these exchanges might be superficial and lacking true meaning. It hints at the effort we put into maintaining appearances, even when we’re hurting inside.
Chorus
This one goes to market
This one went to bed with someone that you know
This one keeps you warm at night
In this repeat of the chorus, it highlights the various ways this consuming “one” interacts with our lives. The imagery of going to market suggests a transactional relationship, where things are bought and sold. The line about going to bed with someone you know brings in an intimate betrayal, showing how close these toxic influences can be. The idea of keeping warm at night is also interesting; it suggests comfort, but it’s a comfort that might come with a price.
Bridge
Please baby don't you try
To keep us apart
There's a worm in this apple
And this one has no heart
The bridge introduces a plea, indicating a struggle to break free. The “worm in this apple” is a classic metaphor for something rotten beneath the surface. It suggests that while this “one” might seem appealing, it’s actually harmful. The line about having no heart reinforces the idea that this entity is cold and unfeeling, adding to the sense of danger in getting too close.
Outro
You will be the perfect host
As it grows inside
You will follow this one
Wherever it goes
The outro leaves us with a sense of inevitability. It suggests that once you let this “one” in, it takes root and grows. The idea of being a “perfect host” implies that you might unknowingly nurture something toxic. This adds to the haunting feeling of the song, as it implies a loss of control over your own life and choices.
Closing Thoughts
"This One Eats Souls" is a deep dive into the darker side of human relationships and dependencies. It’s a cautionary tale about getting too close to things that can drain you. The vivid imagery and emotional weight it carries make it resonate on many levels, forcing listeners to reflect on what they let into their lives.
Full Lyrics
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The colour from your cheeks
The summer from your eyes
And the days from your weeks
Everyone needs something if they're going to survive
This one needs a soul
Just to keep it alive
In the moment at hand
In the shrapnel and the dirt
Vows are exchanged
Pleasantries rehearsed
You prepare the patient, cook up the mix
This one don't move or breathe
'til you give it a fix
This one goes to market
This one went to bed with someone that you know
This one keeps you warm at night
This one dug a hole in your head and
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
All souls alive
All souls alive
Please baby don't you try
To keep us apart
There's a worm in this apple
And this one has no heart
You will be the perfect host
As it grows inside
You will follow this one
Wherever it goes
This one goes to market
This one went to bed with someone that you know
This one keeps you warm at night
This one it went straight to your head
This one drives for five miles
This one lasts for seventeen years
You may lose your way in the night
But by the end it is perfectly clear that
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
All souls alive
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
This one eats souls
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive
All souls alive