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Plague
Crystal Castles Lyrics


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I need you pure I need you clean
Don't try to enlighten me
Power to misconstrue
What have they done to you

Infants in infantry
Rewrite their history
Uproot their colony
You're ripe for harvesting

Virgin cells to penetrate
Too premature to permeate
They can't elucidate
Never thought I was the enemy

I am the plague
I am the plague

They fake sincerity
Thy gifts don't give to me
Now you've been anointed
They've been asking for it

Infants in infantry
Rewrite their history
Uproot their colony
You're ripe for harvesting

Virgin cells to penetrate
Too premature to permeate
They can't elucidate
Never thought I was the enemy

I am the plague
I am the plague

I need you pure I need you clean
I need you pure I need you clean

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Crystal Castles's song Plague depicts the manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable individuals by those in power. The opening lines, "I need you pure, I need you clean, don't try to enlighten me" suggests a desire for purity and a rejection of any knowledge or information that may challenge the status quo. The following lines, "power to misconstrue, what have they done to you" further emphasize the theme of manipulation and control.


The second verse discusses the mistreatment of infants and rewriting of history to serve those in power. "Virgin cells to penetrate, too premature to permeate, they can't elucidate" suggests a violation of individuals who are too young and inexperienced to understand or resist. The lyrics "now you've been anointed, they've been asking for it" imply that this mistreatment is not accidental but planned and desired by those in power.


The chorus repeats the lines "I am the plague" indicating the singer's role in contributing to the exploitation and manipulation of vulnerable individuals.


Overall, the lyrics of Plague convey a sense of oppression and vulnerability, highlighting the insidious ways in which those in power seek to maintain their control through the exploitation of the powerless.


Line by Line Meaning

I need you pure I need you clean
The singer wants someone without any 'dirt' or negative associations to be with them.


Don't try to enlighten me
The singer doesn't want advice or guidance from others.


Power to misconstrue
The ability to misinterpret or distort the truth.


What have they done to you
The artist is questioning how someone has been influenced or changed by others.


Infants in infantry
Young, inexperienced people who are being used as pawns in a larger game.


Rewrite their history
Manipulating the past to create a desired narrative.


Uproot their colony
Removing a community from their home, often through force or violence.


You're ripe for harvesting
You are vulnerable and easy to exploit or take advantage of.


Virgin cells to penetrate
Innocent or naive individuals who are being taken advantage of or manipulated.


Too premature to permeate
Individuals not yet able to fully understand or comprehend a situation.


They can't elucidate
The people in power cannot explain or justify their actions.


Never thought I was the enemy
The artist sees themselves as a victim, not an aggressor.


I am the plague
The singer is acknowledging their own destructive and harmful actions towards others.


They fake sincerity
Those in power pretend to care or empathize with others, but it's not genuine.


Thy gifts don't give to me
The gifts or offerings from those in power are seen as empty or meaningless.


Now you've been anointed
Someone has been chosen or assigned a particular role, often without their consent or understanding of what it entails.


They've been asking for it
Those in power have brought whatever negative consequences or blowback they are experiencing upon themselves.


I am the plague
Reiteration of the fact that the singer is causing harm to others and spreading a negative influence.


I need you pure I need you clean
Repetition of the opening line, emphasizing the singer's desire for purity and cleanliness in their relationships and interactions with others.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@SteelKittyMusic

Just wanna say thank you to CC. I’m having a really hard time in life right now and I miss my dad. Music like this helps me relax… so thank you. <3







Edit( he’s not dead but my parents are divorced and I hardly get to see him anymore)



@lizavie4661

[Verse 1]
I need you pure I need you clean
Don't try to enlighten me
Power to misconstrue
What have they done to you

[Chorus]
Infants in infantry
Rewrite their history
Uproot their colony
You're ripe for harvesting
Virgin cells to penetrate
Too premature to permeate
They can't elucidate
Never thought I was the enemy

[Post-Chorus]
I am the plague
I am the plague

[Verse 2]
They fake sincerity
Thy gifts don't give to me
Now you've been anointed
They've been asking for it

[Chorus]
Infants in infantry
Rewrite their history
Uproot their colony
You're ripe for harvesting
Virgin cells to penetrate
Too premature to permeate
They can't elucidate
Never thought I was the enemy

[Post-Chorus]
I am the plague
I am the plague

[Interlude]

[Outro]
I need you pure I need you clean
I need you pure I need you clean
I am the plague
I am the plague



All comments from YouTube:

@earthlingYT

This song means so much to me. A friend died of cancer and I dedicated this song to him. 6 years later, I had cancer. Cancer is a plague.

@dr0krevedko

I hope you'll the fuck beat it man.
Some guy 4m Russia with you

@MrFemface

beat that shit! Rooting for you

@pewpewurdown

I hope you will be ok. Don't give up.

@sashutime5771

Please search the AQUALEAD CURE

@SteelKittyMusic

Your so strong. You’ll beat it. I promise! Much love and support! <3

25 More Replies...

@zuliwe

When I listen to this I keep feeling like an edgy teen, while I'm almost 30.

@aniym21000

I'm 34 and while I definitely like mellow music these days, the ferocity of CC's harder tracks are unmatched by most bands in the indie/electronic genres. Seen them live too, total chaos and destruction on stage.

@danilanazarov6965

is this bad?

@neuromancerize

Lol I am 48. So what? I love this sound. There is something dark and mysterious with the tunes. If something is good it is good. No matter what. It doesn't make me feel like an edgy teenager though.

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