Keys are in my pocket
And they rattle you away

Seventh floor apartment
and a fiery escape

But I'm a wife in watercolors
I can wash away

What seventeen cold showers
Couldn't wash away

Save me
Save me
Save me from what I want

Save me
Save me
Save me from what I want

Save me
Save me
Save me from what I want

Honey, what reveals you
is what you try and hide away
You could tell the planets
or your pillow case

But I'm a wife in watercolors
I can wash away
what seventeen cold showers
Couldn't wash away

Save me save me save me from what I want
Save me save me save me from what I want
Save me save me save me from what I want
Save me save me save me from what I want
Save me save me save me from what I want
Save me save me save me from what I want

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Save Me From What I Want" exude feelings of desperation and longing, as well as a need for escape. The first two lines paint a picture of someone trying to leave, but the keys in their pocket are keeping them from doing so. The mention of a seventh floor apartment and a "fiery escape" hints at the urgency of the situation.

The following lines reveal a sense of dissatisfaction with one's current state. The phrase "wife in watercolors" suggests that the persona feels as though they are fading away, and the repetition of the line "I can wash away" indicates an attempt to cleanse oneself of something undesirable. The mention of "seventeen cold showers" that couldn't wash away whatever it is that the persona wants to escape from implies that the situation is deeply ingrained and difficult to overcome.

The final lines plea for salvation: "Save me from what I want." The repetition of this phrase further emphasizes the desperation and longing of the persona. The final lines suggest that the persona feels as if they are hiding something away, but whatever it is that they are keeping hidden reveals something about them that they fear.

Line by Line Meaning

Keys are in my pocket And they rattle you away
I have the keys to leave, but they would make you go away.

Seventh floor apartment and a fiery escape
I live high up, but I want to escape from something intense.

But I'm a wife in watercolors I can wash away
I'm easy to change, like a painting that can be erased.

What seventeen cold showers Couldn't wash away
I'm trying to wash away something that I can't get rid of easily.

Save me Save me Save me from what I want
I need someone to help me control my desires.

Honey, what reveals you is what you try and hide away
Your true nature is shown by what you try to keep hidden.

You could tell the planets or your pillow case
You could share your secrets with the whole universe or just your closest confidant.

But I'm a wife in watercolors I can wash away what seventeen cold showers Couldn't wash away
I'm still trying to hide something, but I'm finding it difficult to do so.

Save me save me save me from what I want
I need someone to help me resist the things I crave.

Save me save me save me from what I want
I need someone to save me from myself and my desires.

Save me save me save me from what I want
I'm asking for help to overcome my own wants and needs.

Save me save me save me from what I want
I'm pleading for assistance to escape from my own temptations.

Save me save me save me from what I want
I need someone to help me resist my own impulses and cravings.

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