The Operation
Charlotte Gainsbourg Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want to explore you
I'm gonna get under your skin
So you can feel me running through your veins

I want to examine
Every inch of your frame
The pressure points that cause your joy and pain
Our love goes under the knife
There is no room for doubt

Now I'm inside you
My hands can feel their way
Further inside than I have ever been

Now I can really
Mess around with your heart
And fill it to the brim with broken dreams

Our love goes under the knife
Two lives may be saved

And if I pull this off
I'll refuse the Nobel prize
Instead I will look into your eyes

If I pull this off
Your whole body will be mine
And I'm prepared to work throughout the night

Our love goes under the knife
Nothing is taboo
Here on the cutting edge of science

Too much information
I feel I'm getting lost
Absorbed into the fiber of your soul

Deep within the abattoir
Of your entrails your insides
Lost in you forever far from home

Our love goes under the knife
Someone got too close





Our love goes under the knife
The heart was rejected by the host

Overall Meaning

The song "The Operation" by Charlotte Gainsbourg is a metaphorical representation of the complexities of a relationship, wherein the singer expresses their desire to completely understand and explore their partner's body and mind. The lyrics suggest a sense of complete submission and vulnerability, as the singer desires to "get under your skin" and "fill it to the brim with broken dreams." The theme of the song takes a dark turn, as the love between the partners goes under the knife, representing the damage and pain caused by the relationship.


The usage of medical terminology throughout the lyrics reinforces the idea of scientific precision and control, further emphasizing the dominant role of the singer in the relationship. The metaphorical representation of surgical procedures is a powerful tool used by the songwriter to evoke imagery of control, manipulation, and vulnerability.


Overall, "The Operation" portrays the turmoil of a relationship, exploring the complexities of desire and the destructive aftermath of love.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to explore you
The singer wants to understand every part of the person.


I'm gonna get under your skin
The singer wants to know the person intimately.


So you can feel me running through your veins
The singer wants the person to have a deep emotional connection.


I want to examine
The artist wants to thoroughly investigate the person.


Every inch of your frame
The artist wants to understand every part of the person's being.


The pressure points that cause your joy and pain
The singer wants to understand the person's emotional triggers.


Our love goes under the knife
The relationship is being put to the test.


There is no room for doubt
The artist has complete confidence in the relationship.


Now I'm inside you
The artist has gained a deep understanding of the person.


My hands can feel their way
The artist is using touch to understand the person.


Further inside than I have ever been
The singer has a deeper understanding than before.


Now I can really
The artist is now able to do something meaningful.


Mess around with your heart
The singer is going to experiment with the person's emotions.


And fill it to the brim with broken dreams
The singer is going to cause emotional pain.


Two lives may be saved
The relationship will be stronger if this works.


If I pull this off your whole body will be mine
The artist will have a deep emotional connection with the person.


And I'm prepared to work throughout the night
The artist is willing to put in the effort to make the relationship work.


Nothing is taboo
Anything can be done to save the relationship.


Here on the cutting edge of science
The singer is using all tools available to save the relationship.


Too much information
The artist is becoming overwhelmed with understanding the person.


I feel I'm getting lost
The artist is feeling overwhelmed.


Absorbed into the fiber of your soul
The artist is becoming emotionally attached.


Deep within the abattoir
The emotions are intense.


Of your entrails your insides
The emotions are deep within the person.


Lost in you forever far from home
The singer is deeply connected to the person.


Someone got too close
The relationship experienced a setback due to vulnerability.


The heart was rejected by the host
The emotions were too intense and the relationship could not be saved.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jarvis Cocker, Jean-Benoit Dunckel, Nicolas Godin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@justelilly

"The Operation"
I want to explore you
I'm gonna get under your skin
So you can feel me running through your veins

I want to examine
Every inch of your frame
The pressure points that cause your joy and pain

Our love goes under the knife
There is no room for doubt

Now I'm inside you
My hands can feel their way
Further inside than I have ever been

Now I can really
Mess around with your heart
And fill it to the brim with broken dreams

Our love goes under the knife
Two lives may be saved

And if I pull this off
I'll refuse the nobel prize
Instead I will look into your eyes

If I pull this off your whole body will be mine
And I'm prepared to work throughout the night

Our love goes under the knife
Nothing is taboo
...here on the cutting edge of science

Too much information
I feel I'm getting lost
Absorbed into the fibre of your soul

Deep within the abbatoir
Of your entrails your insides
Lost in you forever far from home

Our love goes under the knife
Someone got too close

Our love goes under the knife
The heart was rejected by the host



@wwiikkyy

I want to explore you
I'm gonna get under your skin
So you can feel me running through your veins
I want to examine
Every inch of your frame
The pressure points that cause your joy and pain
Our love goes under the knife
There is no room for doubt
Now I'm inside you
My hands can feel their way
Further inside than I have ever been
Now I can really
Mess around with your heart
And fill it to the brim with broken dreams
Our love goes under the knife
Two lives may be saved
And if I pull this off
I'll refuse the Nobel prize
Instead I will look into your eyes
If I pull this off your whole body will be mine
And I'm prepared to work throughout the night
Our love goes under the knife
Nothing is taboo
Here on the cutting edge of science
Too much information
I feel I'm getting lost
Absorbed into the fiber of your soul
Deep within the abattoir
Of your entrails your insides
Lost in you forever far from home
Our love goes under the knife
Someone got too close
Our love goes under the knife
The heart was rejected by the host



All comments from YouTube:

@hyperborean72

This is true art.
Everything is beautiful here - both sounds and imagery
And has great meaning

@charleshoward1475

5.55. Is such a fantastic album from it's opening song through to the last note. Wonderful songs, and such interesting lyrical content. I adore.

@RealMexFoodShouldntGiveUDrrhea

She is so uniquely beautiful. I love her acting and her music!

@justelilly

"The Operation"
I want to explore you
I'm gonna get under your skin
So you can feel me running through your veins

I want to examine
Every inch of your frame
The pressure points that cause your joy and pain

Our love goes under the knife
There is no room for doubt

Now I'm inside you
My hands can feel their way
Further inside than I have ever been

Now I can really
Mess around with your heart
And fill it to the brim with broken dreams

Our love goes under the knife
Two lives may be saved

And if I pull this off
I'll refuse the nobel prize
Instead I will look into your eyes

If I pull this off your whole body will be mine
And I'm prepared to work throughout the night

Our love goes under the knife
Nothing is taboo
...here on the cutting edge of science

Too much information
I feel I'm getting lost
Absorbed into the fibre of your soul

Deep within the abbatoir
Of your entrails your insides
Lost in you forever far from home

Our love goes under the knife
Someone got too close

Our love goes under the knife
The heart was rejected by the host

@natashafiorini2989

Qq11qqqq11q

@Ace1000ks19751982

Great music, it is hypnotic.

@Crypzooboi

Freaking awesome!!! Charlotte just oozes coolness...I love her!!

@garyk8285

One of my favourite solo artists. So cool. Brilliant.

@GSXR750wx

Such intelligent lyrics. Charlotte is so very artistic and classy in everything she has ever done.

@annastanca10

Magnifique! 🌺🌺🌺

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