Mother master, some things must be
Plastic master, this is for free
You give off a dark
Seems larger than life

Violet eyes
Plastic master, smoke drifts from a rose
Timber empire, able to explode
Cut open the box
Out rushes the night

Violet eyes
Plastic baby,
Rope drifts through open holes
Robot Kingdom, fables will explode
Cut open the box
Out rushes the night
Violet eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Meat Puppets' song "Violet Eyes" is a unique and surrealistic representation of the cruelty and manipulation in our society. The song is about how people, particularly those in power or authority, often manipulate others for their own gain. In the first verse, the singer refers to a "Mother Master," and a "Plastic Master," suggesting the manipulation of a parent or a corporate executive. The line "Some things must be" implies that the singer believes that some aspects of the manipulation are necessary, which is debatable. The phrase "You give off a dark/Seems larger than life" suggests that the manipulator is potentially dangerous.

The chorus, "Violet Eyes," is an interesting choice of words, as the color violet represents power, luxury, and sophistication, while eyes represent observation and control. It is possible that the "violet eyes" here symbolize the people who are being manipulated, under the control of the "plastic master." The second verse mentions the "Timber Empire" and "Robot Kingdom," which further reinforces the idea that the song talks about a dystopian future, where people are treated like mere products to be controlled and manipulated by those in power.

Overall, "Violet Eyes" is a surrealistic take on how people can be manipulated and controlled. It is a very thought-provoking song that shows the darker side of humanity.

Line by Line Meaning

Mother master, some things must be
Refers to the idea that some things in life cannot be controlled and are ultimately beyond the power of humans.

Plastic master, this is for free
Highlights the pervasive influence of consumerism and the way material possessions can be used to exert control over individuals.

You give off a dark
Suggests an ominous or unsettling aura being projected by the subject of the song.

Seems larger than life
Indicates that the figure being described has a kind of otherworldly, larger-than-life quality that sets them apart from ordinary human beings.

Violet eyes
A poetic reference to a striking or unusual physical feature possessed by the subject of the song.

Plastic master, smoke drifts from a rose
Continues to explore the notion of consumerism and how it can be used to manipulate people's perceptions, using the image of smoke emanating from a seemingly innocent flower as a metaphor for this insidious process.

Timber empire, able to explode
Perhaps an allusion to environmental destruction caused by the logging industry, or a commentary on the way capitalist enterprises can grow so large that they become unstable and ultimately self-destructive.

Cut open the box
Conveys a sense of release, or perhaps a breaking of convention or societal norms.

Out rushes the night
A metaphor for a release of great energy or power, often indicative of an upheaval or significant change.

Plastic baby, rope drifts through open holes
Another nod to the pervasive power of consumerism and the way it can pervade even the most intimate aspects of human life and relationships, using the imagery of a baby and a rope to evoke a sense of captivity and control.

Robot Kingdom, fables will explode
Reflects a sense of disillusionment or distrust with technological progress, with the idea that advanced machinery and artificial intelligence could ultimately lead to cataclysmic, even apocalyptic consequences.

Cut open the box
Same as before, a resonant symbol for breaking out of established patterns and seizing a moment of liberation.

Out rushes the night
Same as before, indicating a moment of release, transformation or upheaval.

Violet eyes
Reprise of the earlier line, perhaps highlighting the idea that this striking physical feature is emblematic of the power and mystery of the song's subject.

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