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.
Tapped In
Arca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strut on fire, sleep no mo'
Flow no mess, fade out quick
Get me lit, watch this trick
Turn that lonely shit, might lose it again, make me choose it again
Make me lose it again, watchin - when - hit herself
Because that thing has got to end
Hold her till the color fade
Her waist, her face, her taste, the bitch tapped in
Her pose, her clothes, she knows, the bitch tapped in
Her waist, her face, her taste, the bitch tapped in
Her pose, her clothes, she knows, the bitch tapped in
She′s still runnin'
She's still runnin′
Endo, endo
Don′t feel me
Slowly hear me, hold it, feel it
Open up, got too lated
Take this, I'm no more rated
It′s always apart
It's dizzy, touched down
I′m still faded
You runnin' out
That′s what I'm talkin' about
I′m on a run, on a run, on
Bringing me
I′m on a run, on a run, on
I'm on a run, on a run, on
I′m still runnin' away
Her waist, her face, her touch, the bitch tapped in
Her pose, her clothes, she knows, the bitch tapped in
Her waist, her face, her touch, the bitch tapped in
Her pose, her clothes, she knows, the bitch tapped in
She′s still runnin'
The lyrics of Arca's "Tapped In" portray a hedonistic and restless persona. The singer seems like they are geared up to go out and enjoy life to the fullest. They tie their shoelaces and head to the dance floor, ready to strut confidently and without inhibitions. They want to feel alive and forget any problems or messiness in their life. The persona craves excitement and energy; they want to be made to lose control again and again, even if it means running until they are exhausted. In the first chorus, the persona speaks of a woman who is also tapped in, like her. The woman is confident in herself and her sexuality, and she seems to know how to keep the persona engaged and excited. However, towards the end of the song, it seems like the persona is starting to feel unfulfilled and overstimulated by the woman's touch, and they both seem to be running away from something, perhaps from their own feelings.
The song's themes of excitement, hedonism, and escapism are accentuated by the ethereal and futuristic electronic beats that Arca is known for. The repetitive hook, "Her waist, her face, her taste, the bitch tapped in," adds to the trance-like effect of the song. The repetitive rhythm is designed to create a hypnotic effect and keep listeners' attention. The lyrics are abstract and ambiguous, which allows listeners to interpret them in their unique ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Tie my laces up, headed to the flo'
Getting ready to go out and party
Strut on fire, sleep no mo'
Confident and energetic, not willing to slow down and rest
Flow no mess, fade out quick
Smooth and seamless performance, leaving a lasting impression
Get me lit, watch this trick
Make me excited and show off my skills
Turn that lonely shit, might lose it again, make me choose it again
Avoid feeling isolated and lonely, willing to repeat past mistakes
Make me lose it again, watchin - when - hit herself
Unable to control oneself, even when it may have negative consequences
Because that thing has got to end
Wanting to put a stop to a toxic behavior or situation
Hold her till the color fade
Stay with someone until their mood or outlook changes
Her waist, her face, her taste, the bitch tapped in
Describing a woman's physical and sensual appeal
Her pose, her clothes, she knows, the bitch tapped in
Not just physically, but mentally aware of her attractiveness
She′s still runnin'
Continuing on with confidence and determination
Endo, endo
Referring to smoking cannabis
Don′t feel me
Don't understand or empathize with me
Slowly hear me, hold it, feel it
Listen carefully and let the emotions sink in
Open up, got too lated
Trying to connect with someone who is no longer available or receptive
Take this, I'm no more rated
Offering something valuable despite feeling undervalued or unappreciated
It′s always apart
There is always some distance or disconnect
It's dizzy, touched down
Feeling disoriented or confused, but still grounded
I′m still faded
Still under the influence of drugs or alcohol
You runnin' out
Someone or something is coming to an end or disappearing
That′s what I'm talkin' about
Acknowledging that the desired or anticipated outcome is happening
I′m on a run, on a run, on
Continuing to push forward and achieve
Bringing me
Leading to success or satisfaction
I'm on a run, on a run, on
Still pursuing and striving for more
I′m still runnin' away
Running from something or someone, perhaps unable to fully face the situation
Contributed by Bella R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.