Marionette
Cardinal Lyrics

I wanna play, do you wanna play?
The singer is proposing a game to the other person and asking if they want to participate.

I could give you a heart
The singer is suggesting they could give the other person an emotional connection.

One that's black like mine.
The emotional connection would be dark and negative like the singer's own.

It's filled with hate, from your cheating mind
The artist's emotional connection is filled with hate, stemming from the cheating behavior of the other person.

And it's taken me this long
The artist has taken some time to reach this level of understanding.

To figure you out
The singer has come to a conclusion about the other person's behavior.

I think it's time I put an end to this game
The singer is ready to put a stop to the behavior of the other person.

I wanna play
The artist is referring to the 'game' they proposed earlier.

With your strings like a marionette
The artist wants to control the other person's actions, like a puppeteer controls a marionette.

I'll make you do what I want
The artist wants to manipulate the other person.

Just try to run from me baby
The other person is attempting to avoid the control of the singer.

I could give you a soul
The artist is proposing another emotional connection.

One that's out of time
This emotional connection would be distorted and not quite 'right'.

To fix the things
The emotional connection would be intended to improve the other person's life.

That are wrong in your life
The singer has identified aspects of the other person's life that they believe are problematic.

Why did it take me this long
The artist is reflecting on why it took them so long to see the other person's behavior clearly.

To figure you out
The artist has come to understand the behavior of the other person.

I think it's time I put an end to this game
The singer is ready to stop the manipulative 'game' they and the other person have been playing.

I wanna play
The singer is again referring to the 'game' they have proposed.

With your strings like a marionette
The artist again emphasizes that they want control over the other person.

I'll make you do what I want
The artist is still intent on manipulation.

Do you wanna be alone?
The artist poses a question intended to elicit a desired response.

Try to run from me baby
The other person is still trying to avoid the control and manipulation of the singer.

Now you scream "someone save me"
The artist describes the other person's reaction when they realize they cannot escape the control of the artist.

Do you wanna play?
The singer is still proposing the 'game'.

Who the hell do you think you are
The singer confronts the other person about their behavior.

Quit trying to run away from me!
The singer demands the other person stop avoiding the 'game'.

You can run but you can't hide
The artist is asserting their control over the other person.

I will find you, I will find you!
The artist is persistent in insisting they have control over the other person.

You cannot get away from me
The singer reiterates that they have control.

You think you're something else
The singer belittles the other person.

I hope you go to hell
The artist expresses malice towards the other person.

Oh you're so fucking cute
The artist is being sarcastic and disdainful of the other person.

You're just another whore
The artist insults the other person.

I can't replace the feeling that I hold deep inside
The singer is acknowledging they have strong emotions for the other person.

Playing the games that you do
The 'game' the other person has been playing is negative and hurtful.

They're ripping out my heart
The 'game' is emotionally damaging to the singer.

Do you wanna play
The singer is still referring to the 'game.'

With your strings like a marionette
The singer is referencing their desire for control once again.

I'll make you do what I want
The artist is still intent on manipulating the other person.

(I'll make you do what I want)
The artist asserts their dominance once more.

I wanna get you alone
The singer wants one-on-one time with the other person.

Try to run from me baby
The other person is still trying to avoid the singer.

Now you scream "someone save me"
The other person is again desperate in their attempts to escape the artist.