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Trade
Abby Travis Lyrics
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A caramal uncut Kowalsky
The skin of his beauty was so deep
With his prize fighting fees and physique
Alone he waits for prey
A beep and he's on the way
There's always a price to pay
He loved to love for free
For the girl he'd go down on his knees
Such a pro, boy he knew how to please
So much taste, so much style, so much sleaze
He self destructed last week
A pinata of razors and sheiks
A dead trick, then a long trip upstream
Sometimes folks really are what they seem
The song "Trade" by Abby Travis is a dark and somewhat tragic tale of a man known only as "he." The opening lyrics describe him as a "living fantasy," someone who others might dream of being. He is a "prize fighter" with a "physique" that suggests he is attractive, but there is something deeper about him that is just as appealing - the "skin of his beauty was so deep." However, despite his good looks and physical prowess, there is a darker side to him; he is a sex worker who is always on the hunt for new clients.
The second verse goes on to paint a slightly different picture of him as well; while he may be willing to trade sex for money, he is not entirely mercenary. He "loved to love for free" and was willing to do whatever he could to please the women he was with. The chorus of the song reinforces the sense of transience and impermanence surrounding him; he is a "Latin god for the day" and nothing more.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that there is something deeply tragic about this man. He "self destructed last week," and the image of him as a "pinata of razors and sheiks" is both violent and disturbing. The final lines of the song offer a final sense of melancholy; even though he is gone, it feels like he was always what he seemed, a man who was simultaneously beautiful and deeply flawed.
Line by Line Meaning
He was a living fantasy
He had a larger-than-life persona that was almost unreal.
A caramel uncut Kowalsky
He was a virile, attractive man with a caramel skin tone, similar to a dreamy fictional character Kowalsky.
The skin of his beauty was so deep
His beauty ran deep, far beyond what was merely visible on the surface.
With his prize fighting fees and physique
He had a well-sculpted body and was paid handsomely for his professional fights.
Alone he waits for prey
He waits alone for someone to entice with his charm.
A beep and he's on the way
At a moment's notice, he's ready to meet someone.
There's always a price to pay
There is a price, whether monetary or otherwise, for spending time with him.
For one Latin god for the day
For one day, he can be the goddess of a person's dreams, particularly if they have a preference for a Latin lover.
He loved to love for free
He enjoyed giving affection and attention freely without expecting anything in return.
For the girl he'd go down on his knees
He was willing to do anything to please his woman, even if it meant being humbled.
Such a pro, boy he knew how to please
He was skilled at satisfying his partner, particularly in bed.
So much taste, so much style, so much sleaze
He had a lot of charm and style, but also had a bit of an unsavory side.
He self destructed last week
He lost control of his life and actions last week, leading to negative consequences.
A piñata of razors and sheiks
He was a mess, a combination of sharp edges and flashy (but hollow) qualities.
A dead trick, then a long trip upstream
He encountered violence and/or death after a failed plan, and this caused major problems in his life.
Sometimes folks really are what they seem
People can be exactly the person they present themselves as, even if it isn't always positive.
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.