Darling I Want to Destroy You
AFI Lyrics


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Were you dying to go? You just looked so exposed,
Demure through the dark dancing lights.
I glided by.
I can't deny that the shadows betrayed you and I on that night.

Oh, I must confess I am overdressed.
Are you not impressed?
Darling I want to.
I'll confess this too, must you know the truth,
This is all for you.
Darling I want to destroy you.

As you reached for my hand
Did you then understand?
It was I who would lead you that night.
When you begged to know I was glad to show
That I needn't be scared,
Either way I still bight.

Oh, I must confess I am overdressed.
Are you not impressed?
Darling I want to.
I'll confess this too, must you know the truth,
This is all for you.
Darling I want to

So here's the final scene when I finally come clean.
I've watched you for years.
And here's my favorite part, where you beg for my heart
And I disappear.

Oh, I must confess I am overdressed.
Are you not impressed?
Darling I want to.
I'll confess this too, must you know the truth,
This is all for you.




Darling I want to
Darling I want to destroy you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to AFI's song "Darling I Want to Destroy You" tell the story of a narrator who has been silently watching and pursuing someone for years. The singer sees this person at a club, looking vulnerable under the dancing lights. The singer approaches them and offers their hand, leading them into a dangerous situation. The singer confesses that they are overdressed, perhaps implying they are out of place in this environment or that they are putting on a facade. They also admit that they want to destroy the person they are with.


It's unclear exactly why the singer wants to destroy this person, but it could be interpreted as a desire for control or possession. The chorus repeats the same confession, that the singer wants to destroy the other person. The second verse reveals that the singer has been eagerly waiting for this moment to show their power over this person, and they take pleasure in the other person's fear. The final scene of the song has the singer disappearing after the other person begs for their heart. This could be seen as the culmination of the singer's desire to destroy someone completely, leaving them with nothing.


The song has a dark and sinister tone, emphasizing the power dynamic between the singer and the other person. It paints a picture of obsession and manipulation, leaving the listener with a feeling of unease. The repetition of the confession in the chorus drives home the singer's desire to destroy the other person and hints at a lack of control over their own actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Were you dying to go? You just looked so exposed,
Did you want to leave? You looked vulnerable under the dim lighting. I saw you, but did not act.


Demure through the dark dancing lights. I glided by. I can't deny that the shadows betrayed you and I on that night.
You were bashful amidst the darkness and dancing. I passed by you, and we were both exposed in the shadows.


Oh, I must confess I am overdressed. Are you not impressed? Darling I want to. I'll confess this too, must you know the truth, This is all for you. Darling I want to destroy you.
I am dressed to impress, but only for you. I want to destroy you emotionally with my actions.


As you reached for my hand Did you then understand? It was I who would lead you that night. When you begged to know I was glad to show That I needn't be scared, Either way I still bight.
When you reached for me, did you realize I was in control? When you asked if I was scared, I proved I was not intimidated either way.


So here's the final scene when I finally come clean. I've watched you for years. And here's my favorite part, where you beg for my heart And I disappear.
This is the climax where I reveal that I have been observing you for a long time. As my favorite part, you plead for my love, but I vanish.


Oh, I must confess I am overdressed. Are you not impressed? Darling I want to. I'll confess this too, must you know the truth, This is all for you. Darling I want to destroy you. Darling I want to destroy you.
I reiterate that I am dressed up for you, I want to impress you, and I want to destroy you by confessing these emotions.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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