Gish and Ling both dropped out as a result of the stress associated with making the album, and Simnett followed later, with the band having effectively split by 1994. Graham Sutton went on to record a drum and bass record under the name Boymerang. After a ten-year hiatus, Bark Psychosis returned with "Codename: Dustsucker" in 2004, which featured an entirely new line-up, including ex-Talk Talk drummer Lee Harris in the place of Simnett.
Fingerspit
Bark Psychosis Lyrics
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Streets leave their mark on my skin
The city breaks you down
Reach inside, it's upside down
I can't find any way out
So throw away your promises
Speak in tongues, don't reach inside my head
Every day and every night
Blood red cuts across my flesh
You can't see beyond your face
Reach inside, it's upside down
I can't find any way out
So throw away your promises
Speak in tongues, can't find my head
So quit while you're still ahead
Reach inside, it's upside down
I can't find any way out
So throw away your promises
Speak in tongues, can't find my head
And every day, and every night
And every day
and every night the city leaves its mark on the singer's skin. The repetition of "every day and every night" emphasizes the relentlessness of the urban environment and its effects on the singer's physical and mental state. The line "the city breaks you down" suggests that the city is not only leaving physical marks on the singer but is also causing psychological distress.
The chorus, "reach inside, it's upside down," communicates the feeling of being lost and unable to find a way out. The repeated phrase "I can't find any way out" reinforces this sense of desperation. It's as if the singer is trapped in their own head, unable to escape the mental anguish caused by the city. The reference to "blood red cuts across my flesh" adds a visceral element to the depiction of the city's influence on the singer.
The line "speak in tongues, don't reach inside my head" could be interpreted in a few different ways. It could suggest a desire for others to stop trying to understand the singer's experiences or emotions, or it could express a fear of being mentally invaded or manipulated. Overall, the lyrics of "Fingerspit" convey a sense of urban alienation and the toll that living in a city can take on a person's mind and body.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day and every night
The constant routine of everyday life can be suffocating
Streets leave their mark on my skin
The city and its ways have a physical effect on a person
The city breaks you down
The city corrupts and deteriorates an individual's well-being
Reach inside, it's upside down
Trying to find answers within oneself can be chaotic and confusing
I can't find any way out
Feeling trapped and helpless when searching for a solution
So throw away your promises
Do away with empty commitments and false hope
Speak in tongues, don't reach inside my head
Don't pretend to understand someone's inner torment and despair
Blood red cuts across my flesh
The pain of one's struggles can manifest physically
You can't see beyond your face
Others are unable to comprehend or empathize with one's hardships
Speak in tongues, can't find my head
People's words and actions feel meaningless when dealing with personal turmoil
So quit while you're still ahead
It's better to give up and avoid further pain and suffering
And every day, and every night
The cycle of mental anguish can feel never-ending
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.