I would like to wrap your hair round your neck like a noose
I would like to wrap your legs around my neck like a lock
You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty
You are my precious thing, as long as you remain beneath me
I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will pin you down
I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will mm mm down you
You are my precious thing
You are my precious thing
You are my precious thing
I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will pin you down
I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will pin you down
I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will mm mm down you
You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty
You are my precious thing
You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty
You are my precious thing, long as you remain beneath me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Black's "Precious Thing" are highly charged with domination and control. The singer reveals his desire to dominate and restrain his lover through imagery of a noose and a lock. He views his lover as a precious object, something to be controlled and kept under him. The repetition of "I will hold you down, I will pin you down" emphasizes the level of control he feels he has over his lover.

The line "thing of speed and beauty" is interesting because it suggests that the singer views his lover as both a possession and an object of admiration. The use of the word "thing" is dehumanizing, emphasizing the possessive nature of the relationship. The juxtaposition of "speed and beauty" suggests that the singer values his lover's physicality over her inner self.

Overall, the lyrics to "Precious Thing" paint a disturbing picture of an abusive and controlling relationship. The singer views his lover as a precious object to be owned and controlled, rather than as a human being with her own agency and desires.

Line by Line Meaning

I would like to wrap your hair round your neck like a noose
I have violent thoughts about you and want to control you completely.

I would like to wrap your legs around my neck like a lock
I want you to be physically attached to me and to not be able to get away.

You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty
I see you as an object to possess, admire, and control. Your speed and beauty are qualities that make you valuable to me.

You are my precious thing, as long as you remain beneath me
As long as you stay subservient and subordinate to me, I will continue to value and control you.

I will hold you down, I will hold you down
I will use physical force to restrain and control you.

I will pin you down
I will use my strength to immobilize you and prevent your movement.

I will mm mm down you
I will degrade and humiliate you in some way that the singer does not specify.

You are my precious thing
The singer reiterates his possessive attitude towards the subject of the song.

You are my precious thing, long as you remain beneath me
The singer reiterates that the subject must stay in a subservient position to maintain his control over her.

You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty
The singer repeats his view of the subject as an object to be admired and possessed.

You are my precious thing, long as you remain beneath me
The singer repeats his warning that the subject must not try to assert herself or challenge his control over her.

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