He War
.Cat Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were here, you were here, and you were here
Don't look back
I never meant to be the needle that broke your back
You were here, you were here, and you were here
Don't look back
He will kill for you
He war he war
He will kill for you
From who you can
You know you can
Hey hey heeeyyy x4
I'm not that hot new chick
And if you won't let me run with it
We're on to your same old trick
Get up and run away with it
I'm not that hot new chick
And if you won't let me run with it
We're on to your same old trick
Get up and run away with it
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
From who you can
Hey hey hey
You know you can
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
From who you can
Hey hey hey
You know you can
The song "He War" by Cat Power is an emotional piece that explores the themes of regret, betrayal, and violence. The repeated line "I never meant to be the needle that broke your back" suggests that the singer is aware of the harm they have caused someone they cared about. The line "Don't look back" can be interpreted as an appeal to move forward and not dwell on the past, even though the pain caused by the singer's actions might be hard to forget. The lines "He war he war, he will kill for you" are sung in a haunting tone and could be interpreted as a warning or a reminder that violence often has deadly consequences.
The second half of the song addresses the singer's perception of how they might be seen by others. The lines "I'm not that hot new chick, and if you won't let me run with it, we're on to your same old trick, get up and run away with it" suggest a struggle to fit in or compete in a male-dominated industry where women are often objectified and dismissed. The repetition of "he war he war, he will kill for you" in the latter half of the song could be interpreted as a commentary on patriarchal power structures where men are often seen as having more authority or control.
Overall, "He War" is a song that can be interpreted in many different ways, but its powerful lyrics and haunting melody make it a memorable and evocative piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I never meant to be the needle that broke your back
I did not intend to cause you so much pain and suffering
You were here, you were here, and you were here
You were always present, but I failed to recognize it
Don't look back
Don't dwell on the past, because we cannot change it
He war he war
He is always fighting and causing conflict
He will kill for you
He is so loyal that he is willing to commit acts of violence on your behalf
From who you can
He will protect you from anyone who tries to harm you
You know you can
You can rely on him to always have your back
Hey hey heeeyyy x4
A catchy, repetitive chorus with no real meaning
I'm not that hot new chick
I am not the stereotypical ideal woman that society wants me to be
And if you won't let me run with it
If you do not allow me to be myself and follow my own path
We're on to your same old trick
We are aware of the manipulative and deceitful tactics you use to control us
Get up and run away with it
We need to take control of our lives and escape from the toxic situation
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@balera8387
I never meant to be the needle that broke your back
You were here, you were here, and you were here
Don't look back
I never meant to be the needle that broke your back
You were here, you were here, and you were here
Don't look back
He war he war
He will kill for you
He war he war
He will kill for you
From who you can
You know you can
Hey hey heeeyyy x4
I'm not that hot new chick
And if you won't let me run with it
We're on to your same old trick
Get up and run away with it
I'm not that hot new chick
And if you won't let me run with it
We're on to your same old trick
Get up and run away with it
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
He war he war
He will kill for you
Hey hey hey
From who you can
Hey hey hey
You know you can
@EverAppl14
This song is still so incredible. Even after two decades, once in a while the very beginning notes pop into my mind and I have to stop what I’m doing and listen to it again - and every time I realize I forgot just how gorgeously balanced and timeless it is.
@jlouis4407
It’s very indie
@turq1824
The guitar is so simple yet so brutal
@RUfromthe40s
the best guitar reefs weren´t played by people who studied guitar,but amateurs
@zzzs
did you just say, reefs?
@petepete9831
The Awakening fr
@Jussara1376
Right. ❤
@Flux799
@Rui Cameira I have to fully agree.
@absentstars474
I used to go to company lunches in a pool hall and this would come on regularly. Holds a special place in my heart.
@Bigbahe2
That's beautiful.