Sean Beavan co-founded 8MM and quietly self-released their debut EP, Opener, through their website while he was producing Kill Hannah's "For Never and Ever" in 2004. Fronted by his wife, Juliette, who has been described as a cross between Billie Holiday, Beth Gibbons and Jessica Rabbit, 8MM quickly became a local underground buzz. Internet word-of-mouth led to tremendous organic support followed by global critical acclaim from artists and tastemakers such as the influential Nic Harcourt of KCRW.
As a producer and mixer, Beavan has worked with a cadre of seminal artists including Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Depeche Mode, No Doubt, System of a Down and Slayer (amongst many others).
Crawl
8mm Lyrics
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I lay my forehead against the glass
And its cold against my skin.
The phone rings in my ear again and a machine you comes on
And tells me to leave a message and you'll call.
I run my fingers along the shape of the phone searching out every seem and crevice
Looking for the way in.
I can change myself into something else.
Then I'll be able to pour myself into this wire
Travel across these lines and find my way to you.
Or maybe there's another trick, another spell
And I could change you
And I'd draw you to me,
Pull you to me,
Crawl to me.
[Repeat: x2]
Draw you to me
Pull you to me
Call you to me
Crawl to me.
Crawl to me.
Crawl to me.
Crawl for me.
The verses in 8mm's song Crawl describe a feeling of helplessness and longing for connection. The singer stands near the window, looking out with both hands on the phone that's pressed to their ear. They lay their forehead against the glass, feeling the coldness of the surface against their skin. The phone rings again, but only a machine picks up, telling the singer to leave a message and waiting for a call back. As they run their fingers along the shape of the phone, searching every seam and crevice, they feel the desperation building up. They long to change themselves, to transform themselves into something else that can travel through the wires, find their way to their loved one, or perhaps even change their loved one to match their current feelings.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Draw you to me, pull you to me, call you to me, crawl to me" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's desire for connection and their willingness to go to any length to achieve it. The last line of the song changes to "Crawl for me," perhaps signifying a shift in the singer's mindset – from yearning for another to yearning to be more powerful and in control.
Overall, the song Crawl is a visceral and relatable portrayal of the difficulties of reaching out to someone and staying connected. It speaks to the human desire for affection and intimate connection, and the frustration that comes with being stymied by distance, technology, or other barriers.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing near the window looking out with both hands on the phone that's pressed to my ear
I am anxiously waiting by the window, holding the phone close to my ear, hoping for your call.
I lay my forehead against the glass and its cold against my skin.
The cold reality of your absence overwhelms me and I lean my head against the glass in despair.
The phone rings in my ear again and a machine you comes on and tells me to leave a message and you'll call.
Your absence is further compounded as I am greeted by a voicemail instead of your voice, urging me to leave a message.
I run my fingers along the shape of the phone searching out every seam and crevice, looking for the way in.
I desperately search for a way to reach you, running my fingers over every part of the phone to try and connect with you.
I think now that if I try, if I try, if I concentrate hard enough, I can change myself into something else.
The possibility of changing myself to suit your expectations seems plausible, as I contemplate ways to become something different from who I am currently.
Then I'll be able to pour myself into this wire, travel across these lines and find my way to you.
If I could change myself, I would pour every part of myself into this phone line to be with you, no matter the distance.
Or maybe there's another trick, another spell, and I could change you and I'd draw you to me, pull you to me, crawl to me.
Perhaps, instead of changing myself, I could change you with some sort of magic to bring you to me, as I long for you to be by my side, no matter how desperate I have to be.
Draw you to me, pull you to me, call you to me, crawl to me.
I am so desperate for your presence that I will do anything to bring you to me, whether that be calling out to you or even crawling to meet you.
Crawl to me. Crawl to me. Crawl for me.
My need for you is so great that I am willing to beg, to plead, to call out for you with all of my being, even if it means crawling on my hands and knees.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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