ID
Charlie Allen Lyrics


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That unforgiving pulse again
My sick pig-head companion
As much a rotten part of me
As forgotten twin or shadow?
fur bristles with the fever
His kickdrum pulses quicken
Him a specter. Me spectator.
I'm caught inside his tow

And what am I to do?
Pull out his teeth?
Or file down his claws?
You know as well as I
No freedom lies
between pearly jaws
God, what am I to say?
As if his name
Gives me some holy power

For what I've done

I know that Even Christ's communion

wine goes sour

O brother Id, you own me
O father Id, you're all I am

O reverend Id, please wipe
That endless toothy smirk away

Red letters on my eyelids
On every gristle, bone or cell

The one command for self
Presses me to obey

And what am I to do?
Pull out his teeth?
Or file down his claws?
You know as well as I
No freedom lies
between pearly jaws

God, what am I to say?
As if his name
Gives me some holy power

For what I've done
I know that Even Christ's communion
wine goes sour

And what am I to do?
God, what am I to say?
And what am I to do?
God, what am I to say?

And what am I to do?
Pull out his teeth?
Or file down his claws?
You know as well as I
No freedom lies
between pearly jaws
Oh, what am I to say?
As if his name
Gives me some holy power
For what I've done




I know that Even Christ's communion
wine goes sour

Overall Meaning

The song "Id" by Charlie Allen is a contemplative and introspective song about the darker aspects of the human psyche, using the concept of the "Id" from Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory as a metaphor for the singer's inner demons. The lyrics describe this inner turmoil as an "unforgiving pulse", accompanied by a "sick pig-head companion" that is both a part of the singer and separate from them. The singer struggles with the urge to either suppress or embrace this dark side, questioning whether they should "pull out his teeth" or "file down his claws". However, the singer ultimately realizes that there is no freedom to be found in denying this part of themselves, as "no freedom lies between pearly jaws".


The repeated refrain of "God, what am I to say?" suggests that the singer is searching for guidance or answers from a higher power, but ultimately finds none. The reference to "Red letters on my eyelids" could be interpreted as a reference to the biblical concept of stigmata, or perhaps just a metaphor for the inescapable nature of these inner demons. The final lines of the song, "For what I've done / I know that Even Christ's communion / wine goes sour", suggest a feeling of guilt or remorse for past actions, but also point to the universal nature of this inner struggle - even the holiest of symbols can be tainted by the darkness within.


Line by Line Meaning

That unforgiving pulse again
The intense, unrelenting urge to do something wrong is back


My sick pig-head companion
This feeling is like a disgusting, stubborn pig that won't leave me alone


As much a rotten part of me
This pig-like feeling is an integral, unpleasant aspect of my personality


As forgotten twin or shadow?
It's unclear whether this part of me is like a forgotten twin or a dark shadow, always present but not often recognized


Fur bristles with the fever
This intense desire causes my hair to stand on end, like a feverish response


His kickdrum pulses quicken
The pig-like feeling gets more intense, like the pounding rhythm of a bass drum


Him a specter. Me spectator.
The feeling is like an elusive ghost, and I feel like a helpless observer


I'm caught inside his tow
I'm trapped within the pull of this feeling


And what am I to do?
I'm at a loss as to what to do


Pull out his teeth?
Should I try to eliminate this feeling entirely?


Or file down his claws?
Or just try to minimize its potential harm?


You know as well as I
You understand, just as I do


No freedom lies between pearly jaws
There is no freedom within the confines of this feeling, like being trapped within the jaws of a creature with white teeth


God, what am I to say?
I'm asking for divine guidance on how to handle this situation


As if his name
As if knowing the name of this feeling


Gives me some holy power
Would give me some sort of spiritual authority over it


For what I've done
Because of what I've done in the past


I know that Even Christ's communion wine goes sour
I understand that even the holiest of things can be ruined, like the wine used in communion


O brother Id, you own me
I am possessed or controlled by this part of myself, embodied in the pig-like feeling


O father Id, you're all I am
This part of me is an integral part of my identity, like a father figure


O reverend Id, please wipe
I'm invoking a spiritual leader or authority to help me


That endless toothy smirk away
I want this feeling, with its mocking, grinning expression, to go away


Red letters on my eyelids
I see reminders of this feeling everywhere, even when I close my eyes


On every gristle, bone or cell
This feeling is present in every part of my being, like a physical aspect of myself


The one command for self
The only 'commandment' I have for myself


Presses me to obey
Is to obey this pig-like feeling, no matter how detrimental it may be


Oh, what am I to say?
I'm at a loss for words




Contributed by Dominic M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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