In The Night
Bau Haus Lyrics
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He sits there, he sits tight
No more cans, no more crime
See the place, see the time
You never know
He walks light, don't know how
Maybe now, in the night
There's no chat
He's for show
You never know
Sees the place and tries to get the time
He's slowly slipping into the slime
Can't inject into his veins
Blood and guff ooze out and stain
Cares not that he really bleeds
Death not hell is what he needs
Sees the place, checks the time
Some other place, some other time
You never know
Slipping up and down his writhing side
His eyes begin to ponder pride
Subjective pics of misled youth
Before him lies the dreadful truth
Undignifiled, Insignified
His wrist on to the razor slides
You never know
Bau Haus's iconic song "In The Night" depicts the bleak reality of addiction and desperation in a darkly poetic way. The lyrics utilize vivid and haunting imagery to paint a picture of a man sitting in a chair, likely in the throes of addiction. The opening lines describe the man's stillness and focus - he is waiting, watching, and ready for whatever the night may bring. The mention of "no more cans, no more crime" implies that he may have once been involved in illegal activity or substance use, but has reached a point where he no longer has access to those things. The repeated refrain of "you never know" highlights the unpredictability of his situation and the ambiguity of his intentions.
The second verse provides further insight into the man's state of mind. He is walking lightly, perhaps in an attempt to evade notice or detection. It is unclear why he is doing this or where he is going; all that is known is that he "is for show." The lines "sees the place and tries to get the time / he's slowly slipping into the slime" suggest that he may be in some kind of seedy or dangerous area, possibly trying to buy drugs or engage in other illicit activity. As the verse progresses, the man appears to be losing control - "can't inject into his veins / blood and guff ooze out and stain." Despite the harm he is inflicting upon himself, he does not seem to care - "death not hell is what he needs." The closing lines of the song are a poignant and chilling conclusion to this stark portrait of despair - "his wrist onto the razor slides / you never know."
Line by Line Meaning
In the night, in the chair
The subject is alone in the night and is sitting on a chair.
He sits there, he sits tight
He is sitting tightly and without moving.
No more cans, no more crime
He has stopped using drugs and doing illegal activities.
See the place, see the time
He is aware of his surroundings and the current time.
You never know
Implying that anything can happen in the night and nothing is certain.
He walks light, don't know how
He is moving cautiously and uncertainly.
Maybe now, in the night
There is a possibility that something will happen now, in the night.
Oh, I know, yes I know
The subject is confident in his knowledge or intuition.
There's no chat
There is no one to talk to or communicate with.
He's for show
Implying that the subject is pretending or putting on a façade.
Sees the place and tries to get the time
The subject is checking his surroundings and the current time.
He's slowly slipping into the slime
The subject is becoming involved in something negative or dangerous.
Can't inject into his veins
The subject can no longer inject drugs into his veins due to damage or other factors.
Blood and guff ooze out and stain
The subject is bleeding and the blood is leaving a permanent mark.
Cares not that he really bleeds
The subject is indifferent to the fact that he is bleeding and in harm's way.
Death not hell is what he needs
The subject is seeking an escape from his current situation, even if it means death.
Some other place, some other time
The subject is considering a change of scenery and is unsure of when that will happen.
Slipping up and down his writhing side
The subject is experiencing physical discomfort and is unable to stay still.
His eyes begin to ponder pride
The subject is reflecting on his past actions or accomplishments.
Subjective pics of misled youth
The subject is remembering his past mistakes and how he was influenced by negative factors.
Before him lies the dreadful truth
The subject is facing a harsh reality.
Undignifiled, Insignified
The subject feels humiliated and worthless.
His wrist on to the razor slides
The subject is contemplating self-harm.
You never know
Implying that anything can happen and the subject's fate is uncertain.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MCPretzelM999
In the night, in the chair
He sits there, he sits tight
No more cans, no more crime
See the place, see the time
You never know
He walks light, don't know how
Maybe now, in the night
Oh, I know, yes I know
There's no chat
He's for show
You never know
Sees the place and tries to get the time
He's slowly slipping into the slime
Can't inject into his veins
Blood and guff ooze out and stain
Cares not that he really bleeds
Death not hell is what he needs
Sees the place, checks the time
Some other place, some other time
You never know
Slipping up and down his writhing side
His eyes begin to ponder pride
Subjective pics of misled youth
Before him lies the dreadful truth
Undignifiled, Insignified
His wrist on to the razor slides
You never know
@Astroghouls
Why the fuck does this not have millions of views? this is one of their best.
@senatorkennedy3450
The definitive Bauhaus track.
All four talents are upfront and killing it.
@ibelieveicansoar
Especially Ash’s guitar part imitating screeching metal right after the “razor slides” lyric, similar in intent to what Hendrix did in “Machine Gun.”
@andreasboose5611
Totally agree !!!!!
@jamiestuart4017
When I was nine or maybe ten ..I used to constantly blast this track ..it was one of the best things that I had ever heard ..and it still is
@AtZero138
Awesome.. I built a Speaker graveyard from listening to my music.. cheers from Southern California Death Rocker kid from 80s..
@hecatelove9667
This whole album just conjures all the internal shadows & sets the arena for 👉dark entries 👈 to slither about. Yeah, still feelin it.... Grab the candles, let's get to it! ✨🌒🕯️😉🕯️🌘 ✨
@soulandfire9252
These lyrics were burnt into my brain 30 years ago and spill from my mouth without warning to this day.
@Ratnoseterry
Aint that the truth though lol well you never know!
@yecats953
Well said 100% same over here.