Imaginary Friend
Catatonia Lyrics


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Both born of lust and deceit
We are lovers who will
Never meet
Once fate put us in the
Same room
When you knew not of me
Nor I of you
Something inside dies...
And we don't stand
Up to scrutiny
But we spin by and by the by
A great pain finds
Numb haven, humdrum
And we spin by and by the by
Something inside dies...

Me and my imaginary friend
Have been going round
The bend for some time now
For some time now...

And me and Timmy Turd
Are having trouble being heard
Through the background hum
Above the background hum...

And me and Barry see are
Going down to Connah's Quay
For all your Telecaster dreams
A Telecaster is all you need...

Me and my imaginary friend
Have been going round the
Bend for some time now
For some time now...

And me and Timmy Turd
Are getting trouble being heard
Through the background hum
Above the background hum...

And me and Barry see are
Going down to Connah's Quay
For all your Telecaster dreams
A Telecaster is all you need...





Something inside dies...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Catatonia's song "Imaginary Friend" describe the sadness and loneliness that comes with being in love with someone who will never reciprocate those feelings. The first verse sets the tone by acknowledging that both parties were born of "lust and deceit," adding a sense of complexity to the situation. The singer reveals that they were once in the same room as their love interest, but neither of them knew of the other's existence at the time. In the chorus, the singer laments how the relationship feels like nothing but a figment of their imagination, hence the title "Imaginary Friend." Despite the emotional pain of the situation, the singer seems to be stuck in a cycle, as they keep going around the bend with their imaginary friend.


The second verse introduces new characters, Timmy Turd and Barry See. Timmy Turd struggles to be heard above the background hum, demonstrating the feeling of being ignored or overlooked in a noisy world. Barry See and the singer are going down to Connah's Quay for "all your Telecaster dreams," which may refer to an obsession with achieving something that's just out of reach. The final chorus repeats the first, emphasizing that something inside of the singer is dying. This could indicate the mental and emotional toll of this unrequited love, and the frustration of being unable to escape the cycle.


Line by Line Meaning

Both born of lust and deceit
We came into existence from the result of impure intentions and dishonesty.


We are lovers who will never meet
We have a connection that will never be fulfilled in reality.


Once fate put us in the same room, when you knew not of me, nor I of you
We were in close proximity once, but we were completely unaware of each other's existence.


Something inside dies... And we don't stand up to scrutiny
We suffer a loss of self as we are not able to withstand examination or criticism from others.


But we spin by and by the by, a great pain finds numb haven, humdrum
We continue with life in a monotonous manner, despite encountering intense suffering that leaves us feeling numb.


Me and my imaginary friend have been going round the bend for some time now, for some time now...
I have been struggling with my inner demons for quite some time.


And me and Timmy Turd are having trouble being heard through the background hum, above the background hum...
My thoughts and feelings are being drowned out by the noise of the chaotic world around me, making it difficult for me to be heard.


And me and Barry see are going down to Connah's Quay, for all your Telecaster dreams, a Telecaster is all you need...
I am going on a journey with my friend to pursue my passion for music and fulfill my dreams.


Something inside dies...
The loss of self continues to take a toll on us.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: David Joseph Betts, Jonathan Charles Benn, Matthew John Albon, Samuel Dyson, Wayne Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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