Cosmetic Abomination
A Breath Before Surfacing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am undone, quite literally
Now what have I become?
Incognito no more, some scars cannot be concealed
This operation is a complete bust
I put back whatever has been removed and sew myself up
I need a second opinion
This abandoned hospital is my dominion
Cosmetic surgery, apathetic perjury
With these tools I'm free
I can't afford to be ugly
The sound of flat lining is like music to my ears
For once their grasp on life releases
A cold body rife with pieces for the taking
If the skin fits, wear it
My hands now shaking
As you see I have erected my anatomy with care
A perfect visage I seek
Each piece was hand selected, no expense could be spared
You can't put a price on beauty
The lyrics of A Breath Before Surfacing's song 'Cosmetic Abomination' convey the mindset of an individual who has undergone cosmetic surgery for the purpose of attaining the perfect physical appearance. The singer of the song, however, isn't satisfied with the results of the surgery and feels incomplete. The lines 'I am undone, quite literally/Now what have I become?' signify the individual's inner turmoil and confusion regarding their own identity after the surgery.
The person has self-performed surgery and is not happy with the results. The lyrics 'This operation is a complete bust/I put back whatever has been removed and sew myself up' depict the recklessness and desperation of the individual to look aesthetically pleasing. The individual even goes as far as taking advantage of a hospital's abandoned premises for conducting the surgery with the hope that their insurance might cover the expenses. The lines 'I hope my insurance covers this/Cosmetic surgery, apathetic perjury' emphasize the singer's need to alter their appearance at any cost.
Furthermore, the song implies that the individual has no qualms about taking someone else's body parts to enhance their own beauty. The line 'A cold body rife with pieces for the taking' suggests their willingness to go to any length to attain the perfect look. The lyrics describe a sense of detachment from their own body and identity, and an obsession with the idea of beauty. It is a showcase of society's pressure on individuals to conform to a particular image of beauty, and the consequences that come along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
A SURGEON EMERGES
I'm a surgeon who just finished a procedure
I am undone, quite literally
I am completed destroyed and put back together through surgery
Now what have I become?
I don't recognize myself anymore after the surgery
Incognito no more, some scars cannot be concealed
My scars from surgery are too visible, and I can't conceal them
This operation is a complete bust
The surgery I performed didn't go well
I put back whatever has been removed and sew myself up
I tried to fix what I removed and stitched myself back up
I need a second opinion
I'm unsure if my work as a surgeon is up to par and need someone to check it
This abandoned hospital is my dominion
I'm in control of this abandoned hospital
I HOPE MY INSURANCE COVERS THIS
I hope my insurance covers the cost of the surgery
Cosmetic surgery, apathetic perjury
Cosmetic surgery is just a lie we tell ourselves to feel better
With these tools I'm free
I'm free to change anyone's appearance with my skills as a surgeon
I can't afford to be ugly
As someone who performs cosmetic surgery, I can't afford to look ugly myself
The sound of flat lining is like music to my ears
Hearing someone's heart stop is a satisfying sound, because I'm able to take what I need from their body
For once their grasp on life releases
Once someone dies, I'm able to use them for parts
A cold body rife with pieces for the taking
A dead body is perfect for me to use for my surgeries
If the skin fits, wear it
I'll take parts from anyone whose skin matches what I need
My hands now shaking
I'm nervous because I'm not sure if I'm going to get caught for what I'm doing
As you see I have erected my anatomy with care
I've surgically altered my body and made sure to do it with precision
A perfect visage I seek
I'm striving for the perfect appearance
Each piece was hand selected, no expense could be spared
I only choose the best body parts for my surgeries, and nothing is too expensive
You can't put a price on beauty
Beauty is priceless, and therefore worth any cost or amount of work
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.