Stranglehold
Charlie Harper Lyrics

One two three
Charlie is counting ahead, potentially to begin a performance.

Four five six
Charlie continues counting ahead, further emphasizing his readiness to perform.

Gotta do a dance
Charlie must perform some sort of choreographed routine or dance in order to impress.

And it goes like this
Charlie is indicating that he has a specific dance sequence in mind, which he is about to perform.

Yeah some little girl's gotta hold on me
Charlie has become enmeshed with a much younger individual, suggesting potential legal and ethical dilemmas.

She's only thirteen but oh so sweet
Charlie is describing the childlike naivete of his partner, bringing to mind the danger of such an unequal power dynamic.

Got me down on my knees
Charlie has allowed this partner to take control and dominate him, further emphasizing the dangerous improprieties occurring.

Got a stranglehold on me
Charlie is acknowledging the harmful control that his partner exercises even at such a young age.

Puts her arms around me like a vice
Charlie's partner exerts control and power over him in sometimes painful and crippling ways.

It's oh so painful but nice
While Charlie is experiencing physical discomfort, he is also enjoying the pleasurable aspects of this dangerous situation.

But I can only take it once or twice
Charlie is admitting to the difficulty of maintaining this dangerous and uncomfortable relationship.

Got a stranglehold on me
Charlie is once again acknowledging his partner's control and power over him.

Got a stranglehold on me
This is a repetitive refrain, reinforcing the central theme and control of the relationship.

Stranglehold
This final refrain emphasizes the overall danger and suffocating control of the relationship.

Five six seven
Charlie is counting again, indicating a continuation of the performance or perhaps a new point in the relationship.

Eight nine ten
This continues the counting sequence from before, emphasizing the continuation of the relationship or performance.

You want more?
Charlie's partner is asking for more from him, suggesting an unbalanced power dynamic and further emphasizing the danger of their relationship.

We'll do it again
Charlie and his partner will continue their dangerous and slippery relationship dynamic.

Stranglehold on me
The repeating refrain emphasizes the central theme of the partner's harmful control over Charlie.

Got a stranglehold on me
Charlie reiterates the power imbalance, pointing to his inability to escape from this relationship.

Stranglehold on me
This repetition serves to emphasize the danger and control of the relationship.

Stranglehold on me
Once again, the repetition highlights the overall danger of Charlie's relationship with this younger partner.