Black Panther
Crystal Castles Lyrics

The lyrics to Crystal Castles’ “Black Panther” are cryptic and open to interpretation, but a possible theme is the complexities of relationships and the different personas we put on to please others. The first stanza, “Cross my heart and look into the sea/ Cross my arms and turn to me/ Turn to me instead of telling the truth/ And now, now I can honor you,” could suggest the singer is willing to deceive themselves, and others, to appease their partner, hoping their effort will garner respect. The repeated line, “Since you’ve left, all we’re talking about/ Is different problems/ While I’m dragging my heels/ So long to be my mother/ So long to be my friend,” may imply that the singer is struggling with finding their identity within their relationship, feeling like they’re trying to fulfill different roles simultaneously.

The stanza “You’re covered in the lotion/ That was inside of me/ I’ll throw you in the ocean/ I’ll pass you to the sea,” could be interpreted as a metaphor for discarding something that has become a burden, much like throwing something in the sea. The repeated lines, “If this is love/ Then I’m fucking proud of it,” could suggest a conflict between the singer’s desire for authenticity in their relationship, and the pressure to conform to a societal standard of “love.”

Overall, the interpretation of the song's themes is left up to the listener, but the lyrics evoke a sense of unease and tension, perhaps reflecting the complexity of emotions and feelings that can come with relationships.