Pap Smear
Crystal Castles Lyrics
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They cut you from the stem
You're innocent at birth
Until you understand
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I cant tell you the difference between
So many shades of white
So many shades of pale
I know what you hate
So I do it constantly
Many shades of white
Many shades of pale
I know how to cut
A wound that will not heal
Consistency of dirt
Insects that spun your silk
They wait for gratitude
They wait for mother's milk
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I cant tell you the difference between
An embryo or a planted seed
So many shades of white
So many shades of pale
I know what you hate
So I do it constantly
Many shades of white
Many shades of pale
I know how to cut
A wound that will not heal
The lyrics of Crystal Castles' song Pap Smear deal with the themes of innocence, control and manipulation. The opening lines "You never got to bloom, they cut you from the stem" suggest that the subject matter is about a life that has been cut short before it could fully develop. The idea of innocence and being "innocent at birth until you understand" is a recurring motif throughout the song. The repetition of the line "They put you to use or put you to sleep" seems to suggest control or manipulation of some kind, perhaps referring to the way in which society or those in power often use or exploit the vulnerable members of society.
The chorus of the song speaks of "many shades of white, many shades of pale", which may be interpreted as a reference to the various states of innocence or purity. The repetition of the line "I know what you hate, so I do it constantly" could be seen as a further demonstration of this control or manipulation, with the subject of the song being forced to endure something they find distasteful or traumatising.
Overall, the lyrics of Pap Smear possess a dark and intense quality, hinting at themes of abuse and exploitation. The song's melancholic tone and abrasive musical elements serve to further emphasise the unsettling nature of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You never got to bloom
Your existence was cut short before you could flourish.
They cut you from the stem
You were forcibly removed from your source of life.
You're innocent at birth
You are born pure and blameless.
Until you understand
But as you come of age, you must bear the weight of knowledge.
Repeat every word that you say to me
You are being manipulated and controlled, forced to echo the words of another.
They put you to use or put you to sleep
You are used as a tool, or discarded and forgotten.
I cant tell you the difference between
The line between life and death, growth and decay, is blurry and indistinct.
An embryo or a planted seed
The beginning of life can look the same as its end.
So many shades of white
The world appears monochromatic and bleak.
So many shades of pale
There is no vibrancy or joy to be found in this existence.
I know what you hate
I am aware of your suffering and pain.
So I do it constantly
I bring you more of the same pain and misery, without respite or end.
Many shades of white
The world appears monochromatic and bleak.
Many shades of pale
There is no vibrancy or joy to be found in this existence.
I know how to cut
I am familiar with the methods of causing hurt and harm.
A wound that will not heal
The damage done is not something that easily mends or goes away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dr_Pickle
[Verse 1: Alice Glass]
You never got to bloom
They cut you from the stem
You're innocent at birth
Until you understand
[Pre-Chorus: Alice Glass]
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I can't tell you the difference between
An embryo or a planted seed
[Chorus: Alice Glass]
So many shades of white, so many shades of pale
I know what you hate, so I do it constantly
So many shades of white, so many shades of pale
I know how to cut a wound that will not heal
[Verse 2: Alice Glass]
Consistency of dirt
Insects that spun your silk
They wait for gratitude
They wail for mother's milk
[Pre-Chorus: Alice Glass]
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I can't tell you the difference between
An embryo or a planted seed
[Chorus: Alice Glass]
So many shades of white, so many shades of pale
I know what you hate, so I do it constantly
So many shades of white, so many shades of pale
I know how to cut a wound that will not heal
[Outro: Alice Glass]
So many shades of white, so many—
I know what you hate, so I do—
So many shades of white, so many—
I know what you hate, so I do—
I know how to cut a wound that will not heal
I know how to cut a wound that will not heal
@sebastono
sydney harding
You never got to bloom
They cut you from the stem
You're innocent at birth
until you understand
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I cant tell you the difference between
an embryo or a planted seed
So many shades of white
So many shades of pale
I know what you hate
so i do it constantly
Many shades of white
Many shades of pale
I know how to cut
a wound that will not heal
Consistancy of dirt
Insects that spun your silk
They wait for gratitude
They wait for mother's milk
Repeat every word that you say to me
They put you to use or put you to sleep
I cant tell you the difference between
an embryo or a planted seed
So many shades of white
So many shades of pale
I know what you hate
so i do it constantly
Many shades of white
Many shades of pale
I know how to cut
a wound that will not heal
@gxbrxxl9626
Sounds like Sonic losing a shitload of rings
@nicholashelgoe310
Best comment ever
@matts882
Sonic after too much E and way too drunk trying to run home crashing into everything all the time.
@thatonedude9096
i was wondering what that sound was related too 🤔
@NervesiT
Hmm tu é brasileiro n é memo ;)
@jem117
I can't unhear it now LOL
@enmejora6980
When I discovered crystal castes my life changed
@coolgirlblaire
Same.
@xenbelial3383
Same
@coolgirlblaire
I miss Alice Glass :(