Discography:
1995 - Sleater-Kinney (Chainsaw)
1996 - Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
1997 - Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars)
1999 - The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
2000 - All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
2002 - One Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
2005 - The Woods (Sub Pop)
2015 - No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
2019 - The Center Won't Hold (Mom+Pop)
2021 - Path of Wellness (Mom+Pop)
Call The Doctor
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they want to purify you
they want to dignify, analyze and terrorize you
this is love and you can't make it
in a formula or shake me
i'm your monster i'm not like you
all your life is written for you
(look out they want what you know
steal a kid break a heart steal the show
peel back the skin see what's there
i'll never show you what's in here)
you're life is good for one thing
you're messing with what's sacred
they want to simplify your needs and likes
to sterilize you
this is love and you can't make it
in a formula or break me
i'm your monster i'm just like you
all my life is right before you
(don't need you to explain the pain
i can prove to you it's all fake
she's dead but she can stand she can walk
call the doctor miracle she can talk)
call the doctor
this is love and you can't break it
in a formula or make me
i'm no monster i'm just like you
all my life is right before me
(this is not really me at all
stunt girl daring twirls watch me fall
carbon copy same body different hearts
can't tell anymore the real parts)
The song "Call The Doctor" by Sleater-Kinney is an anti-establishment anthem that speaks out against societal norms and values that seek to limit individuality and personal freedom. The lyrics express the band's frustration with the pressures of conforming to societal expectations and the desire for a sense of personal identity and individuality. The lines "they want to socialize you, they want to purify you, they want to dignify, analyze and terrorize you" suggest that there are external forces that seek to mold us into something that fits within the confines of their definition of "normal" or "acceptable."
The chorus, "this is love and you can't make it in a formula or break me, I'm your monster I'm not like you, all your life is written for you," is a defiant declaration that the band refuses to be molded into someone they are not. The line "I'm your monster, I'm not like you" is a metaphor that suggests that society sees anyone who does not conform to their expectations as a monster or freak. The song encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
Overall, "Call The Doctor" is a powerful statement against conformity and a call to embrace one's unique identity.
Line by Line Meaning
they want to socialize you
They want to make you conform to society's standards
they want to purify you
They want to make you clean and free of 'impurities'
they want to dignify, analyze and terrorize you
They want to make you feel important, scrutinize your every move, and make you afraid
this is love and you can't make it
Love is not something that can be replicated or artificially created
in a formula or shake me
You can't mix up a specific recipe to make love happen
i'm your monster i'm not like you
I am different from you and perhaps even frightening
all your life is written for you
Your destiny is predetermined and you have no control over it
you're life is good for one thing
Your life is valuable only for one specific purpose
you're messing with what's sacred
You are interfering with something that should be left untouched or respected
they want to simplify your needs and likes
They want to make you fit into a neat, manageable box with no room for complexity or individuality
to sterilize you
To make you clean and free of anything undesirable or impure
i'm your monster i'm just like you
I am human too, with flaws and imperfections
all my life is right before you
Everything I have done and experienced is out in the open for you to see
don't need you to explain the pain
I understand the pain and do not require your explanation
i can prove to you it's all fake
I can demonstrate that the pain is not real
she's dead but she can stand she can walk
Even in death, she is able to continue on and move forward
call the doctor miracle she can talk
Even miraculous events can occur with the help of medical professionals
this is not really me at all
This persona or image is not an accurate representation of who I am
stunt girl daring twirls watch me fall
My attempts to be seen as brave and bold can sometimes lead to my downfall
carbon copy same body different hearts
People can look alike but have vastly different personalities
can't tell anymore the real parts
It is difficult to discern what is genuine and what is not
call the doctor
Seek help when necessary
this is love and you can't break it
Love is strong and cannot be destroyed easily
in a formula or make me
Love cannot be forced or manufactured
i'm no monster i'm just like you
I am not an abnormal or scary individual, but a person much like you
all my life is right before me
I am fully aware of my past and present experiences
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.