Arca embraces fluidity and changing between states, whether it be gender, genre, or personality. In a 2020 interview, they say "We all have multiple personalities. Rather than causing panic, I think maybe that could cause some relief". "There was a clear intention on her fourth album, Kick i to allow every self to express itself. Not to decide how much air time each self would get, but to allow for modulation between them in a spontaneous way. There is no such thing as normal". In Mutability and ambivalence guide the sound of her music — the atmospheres they create often contain abrasive percussive blasts, metal-shop whine, the screech of subway brakes, the whine of jet engines overheating. Anthropomorphic and animalistic sounds abound —mewling cats, mooing cows, anguished screams, the grunts and groans of orgasm, commingling pleasure and terror and beauty and ugliness in the most thrilling ways possible.
She has also been credited for her writing/producing efforts on Björk's Vulnicura and the entirety of Utopia. Alongside FKA twigs' EP2 as well as for their collaborations with Dean Blunt, Frank Ocean, Kelela, Kanye West, ROSALÍA and Lady Gaga, among others.
Paw
Arca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come here and let me touch
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Come here and be my dog
You know I wanna feed you
Love you, love you
I know I can show you how to sit
I know I can give you cuddles
When you want warmth
When you want warmth
I want warmth too
So come here be my dog
Good boy
There is something in the way you wag your tail
Drives me crazy, baby
Right behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
In Arca's song "Paws," the lyrics depict a desire for intimacy and devotion within a relationship through the metaphor of owning a dog. The song explores a power dynamic where one person wants to assert control and dominance over the other, seeking obedience and companionship. The repeated phrase "come here and be my dog" suggests a longing for dependence and loyalty, wanting the other person to submit and fulfill their desires.
The lyrics also express a desire for affection and warmth within this dynamic. The lines "I can pet behind your ears, boy / I can walk you" convey a sense of care and nurturing, as if the singer is offering comfort and support to the other person. However, it is important to note that these lyrics can also be interpreted as a commentary on the ways power dynamics and control operate within relationships. The repeated use of the phrase "be my dog" and the insistence on teaching the other person how to sit and offering cuddles may raise questions about autonomy and agency within the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here, be my dog
I desire your loyalty and submission, much like a pet
Come here and let me touch
Allow me to have control over you, physically and emotionally
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I have the power to provide comfort and affection to you, my companion
I can walk you
I can take you on a journey, leading and guiding you
Come here and be my dog
Join me in an obedient and subservient role
You know I wanna feed you
I want to fulfill your basic needs and nourishment
Love you, love you
I have deep affection and attachment towards you
I know I can show you how to sit
I have the ability to direct and teach you obedience and stillness
I know I can give you cuddles
I am capable of providing comfort and warmth through physical intimacy
When you want warmth
During moments when you desire affection and closeness
I want warmth too
I also crave emotional and physical warmth
So come here be my dog
Therefore, join me in a role where you submit and obey
Good boy
Expressing approval and praise for your obedience and loyalty
There is something in the way you wag your tail
The manner in which you express joy and happiness captivates and enthralls me
Drives me crazy, baby
It exhilarates and overwhelms me with desire and passion, my love
Right behind your ears, boy
Directing affection and attention towards the vulnerable and sensitive area behind your ears
I can walk you
I have the capability to guide and lead you on a path of my choosing
Love you, love you
Enduring and intense affection and attachment towards you
Love you, love you
Continued and unwavering love and devotion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alejandra Ghersi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ray Zigler
"Paw"
[Lyrics]
Come here be my dog
Come here, let me touch
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Come here and be my dog
You know I wanna feed you
Love you, love you
Come here and be my dog
I know I can show you how to sit
I know I can give you cuddles
When you want warmth
When you want warmth
I want warmth too
So come here be my dog
Good boy
There is something in the way
You wag your tail
That drives me crazy, baby
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
EleKtra_reX
Arca paw letra español
Ven aquí, sé mi perro
Ven aquí y déjame tocar
Puedo acariciar detrás de las orejas, chico
puedo caminar contigo
Ven aquí y sé mi perro.
Sabes que quiero alimentarte
Te quiero te quiero
Ven aquí y sé mi perro.
Sé que puedo mostrarte cómo sentarte
se que puedo darte mimos
Cuando quieres calor
Cuando quieres calor
yo tambien quiero calor
Así que ven aquí, sé mi perro
Buen chico
Hay algo en el camino
Mueves la cola
Eso me vuelve loco, nena
Puedo acariciar detrás de las orejas, chico
puedo caminar contigo
Te quiero te quiero
Te quiero te quiero
crying because hollow knight died
I know this is fucking stupid, but I can’t listen to this song without crying. I just want to matter to someone. I want someone to give me cuddles, give me warmth. I’m sick of falling in love with the wrong person. I’m sick of being left for someone else, I’m sick of getting cheated on. I just want to matter to someone, for once in my life. I feel like I’m completely disgusting or something. I can’t even love my own body, I want to rip it to shreds half the time, how is anyone ever going to love me? I literally want to kill myself some days. I’m sick of putting all this effort into things only for nothing to work out. I just want to win. I just want to be held, I want to be loved. I can’t take it anymore.
Füzxy
@⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ I was 2 that year lmaoooo
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
this track bring me back to 2006 or some shit, when you was happy for no reason
blastait
@Luke Atwater it is about a kink but also about love, intimacy and affection with someone
Luke Atwater
girl y u posting this under a song about kink 😭😭 this was meant for a therapist
blastait
It’s not stupid. Crying makes you heal wounds. You don’t have to be in the constant search of love, love will reach your life in an unexpected way and that’s what is beautiful about it. You also have to learn to love yourself, I also hated my body and found it disgusting but somehow Arcas music healed that wound of mine, making me see all the beauty I radiate. Finding a way to understand and letting express your body is the first step. Meanwhile you can listen to this beautiful album haha
Füzxy
I feel as if I’m being gently and kindly welcomed into Arca’s universe with open arms in a place of magic and all the acceptance I need.
It’s truly an atmospheric and ambient masterpiece!! This makes me somewhat emotional especially with the meaning of the song. Just to be cared for unconditionally without being betrayed.
Jack Frost
1:50 - 2:45 is insane.
kick iiii is so cinematic, might be my favorite out of them all
Ray Zigler
"Paw"
[Lyrics]
Come here be my dog
Come here, let me touch
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Come here and be my dog
You know I wanna feed you
Love you, love you
Come here and be my dog
I know I can show you how to sit
I know I can give you cuddles
When you want warmth
When you want warmth
I want warmth too
So come here be my dog
Good boy
There is something in the way
You wag your tail
That drives me crazy, baby
I can pet behind your ears, boy
I can walk you
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
Stephen Chowder
This might actually be my favourite arca tune and I unashamedly have listened to it everyday since December lol