Cripple and the Starfish
Antony & the Johnsons Lyrics

Mr. Muscle forcing bursting
A strong and muscular person forcefully enters the body of the singer, overwhelming them.

Stingy thingy into little me, me, me
The forceful entry is described as a stingy and invasive act that takes over the singer's sense of self.

But just 'ripple' said the cripple
Despite the overwhelming violation, the singer remains undeterred and only responds with a simple word, 'ripple.'

As my jaw dropped to the ground
The artist is shocked by the event and expresses their surprise by their jaw dropping to the ground.

Smile smile
The artist's outward reaction to this event is to smile, potentially indicating a certain amount of pleasure or satisfaction in the experience.

It's true I always wanted love to be
The singer reveals a desire for love to be associated with pain and hurtfulness.

Hurtful
The first aspect of love that the singer desires is for it to cause pain.

And it's true I always wanted love to be
The artist reiterates their desire for love to be hurtful and painful.

Filled with pain
The second aspect of love that the artist desires is for it to be filled with pain.

And bruises
The third aspect of love that the artist desires is for it to cause physical bruises.

Yes, so Cripple-Pig was happy
The singer refers to themselves as Cripple-Pig, indicating a sense of self-labeling and embracing of perceived weaknesses. They also express their happiness despite the recent violation.

Screamed 'I just completely love you!
The artist exclaims their love for the person who violated them, potentially indicating a psychological aspect of seeking love through pain and hurt.

And there's no rhyme or reason
The singer's love for the person who hurt them is not logical or understandable.

I'm changing like the seasons
The singer acknowledges that they are changing or evolving, possibly indicating a form of personal growth through this experience.

Watch! I'll even cut off my finger
The singer boldly proclaims their commitment to this person by offering to cut off their own finger as a demonstration of love.

It will grow back like a Starfish!
The artist explains that the severed finger will regenerate and grow back like a starfish, potentially indicating their belief that this action is not permanent or harmful in the long term.

Mr. Muscle, gazing boredly
The person who hurt the artist, Mr. Muscle, is described as bored or uninterested in the experience.

And he checking time did punch me
Mr. Muscle checks the time and then punches the singer once again, causing them to bleed and bruise.

And I sighed and bleeded like a windfall
The singer responds with a sigh but seems to enjoy or revel in the bleeding, comparing it to a windfall or unexpected gain.

Happy bleedy, happy bruisy
The artist expresses their happiness at being bruised and bleeding, potentially indicating a form of pleasure or satisfaction from pain.

I am very happy
The artist repeatedly expresses their happiness throughout the song, indicating that they derive pleasure from the painful experiences they have described.

So please hit me
The artist is not only accepting of pain but actively seeks it out, asking to be hit and hurt.

I am very very happy
The singer emphasizes their happiness once again, indicating a strong association between pain and pleasure for them.

So come on hurt me
The artist encourages the person to hurt them even more, further reinforcing their desire for pain and hurt in love.

I'll grow back like a Starfish
The singer reiterates their belief in regeneration and growth, comparing it to the ability of a starfish to regrow lost limbs.

Like a Starfish...
The song ends with a repeated reference to the starfish imagery, potentially indicating the singer's continued belief in the rejuvenating power of love and pain.