"We'd come of Adrenaline and I thought Adrenaline sucked. It didn't turn out as great as it could have been. I felt we were way better. So, after touring it and being successful from it, it was like, 'Okay, they're going to give us money to make another record.' Chi wasn't actually there for the first month, so we didn't have a bass player. We wrote a lot of those songs with no bass - that's how hungry we were! A song like "Dai The Flu" had no bass player. Me and Stephen (Carpenter, guitar) and Abe (Cummingham, drums) wrote the whole song as a three-piece."
Dai the Flu
Deftones Lyrics
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Fifteen stitches and a soft parody
To make my eyes be like deceit
Believe the sting proves heart to me
And now I know that you love me
Thank God that you love at all
Timing is everything in the bed
'Cause you'll sleep for hours to keep away
Then sink the teeth and bat your eyes
Now I know that you love me
Thank God that you love at all
What surprise I was right here going off and going on
What surprise I was right here going off and going on
What surprise I was right here going off and going on
What surprise I was right here going off and going on
'Cause at least I know
'Cause at least now I know, at least
Now I know that you love me
Thank God that you love at all
(What surprise I was right here going off, going on)
The lyrics to Deftones's song Dai the Flu explore the complex and often volatile nature of romantic relationships. The line "I always wondered what it takes / Fifteen stitches and a soft parody" suggests that the singer has been hurt before, either physically or emotionally, and is now wary of getting close to someone. Despite this, they still crave love and affection, as shown in the line "Believe the sting proves heart to me."
The chorus, "Now I know that you love me / Thank God that you love at all," indicates a sense of gratitude and relief at having found someone who cares for them, even though they may still struggle with trust issues. The second verse describes the push-pull dynamic of a romantic encounter, where one partner may be hesitant to make a move out of fear of rejection, but then becomes more forward once they feel that the other person is receptive. The final repetition of "What surprise I was right here going off and going on" suggests a cyclical or repetitive nature to the relationship, with ups and downs that the singer is still coming to terms with.
Overall, Dai the Flu is a contemplative and introspective meditation on the challenges of navigating love and intimacy, and the emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I always wondered what it takes
The singer has always been curious about what it takes to cause a strong reaction in them.
Fifteen stitches and a soft parody
The singer references a past injury that required fifteen stitches and compares it to a soft, mocking imitation of themselves.
To make my eyes be like deceit
The experience caused the singer's eyes to show a deceptive appearance, suggesting that they are hiding something.
Believe the sting proves heart to me
The pain from the injury is seen as a confirmation of the artist's emotional strength and resilience.
And now I know that you love me
The artist's past doubts about their partner's love have been dispelled and they are now certain of their affection.
Thank God that you love at all
The singer expresses their gratitude for their partner's love, implying that they feel undeserving of it.
Dislocated at the joint
The singer references another injury, this time one that dislocated a joint in their body.
Timing is everything in the bed
The artist suggests that timing is crucial for intimacy.
'Cause you'll sleep for hours to keep away
The partner is avoiding intimacy by sleeping for extended periods of time.
Then sink the teeth and bat your eyes
When the partner does engage in intimacy, they do so aggressively and flirtatiously.
What surprise I was right here going off and going on
The singer expresses a sense of amazement about their own presence and behavior in the situation.
'Cause at least I know
Despite the difficulties, the artist takes comfort in the knowledge they have gained.
'Cause at least now I know, at least
The repetition emphasizes the importance of the newfound knowledge.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abe Cunningham, Chi Cheng, Chino Camilo Moreno, Stephen Carpenter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M
on Needles & Pins
The song "Needles and Pins" by Deftones, featured on their self titled album “Deftones," is a passionate plea for the intimacy and connection between two people in a crowded yet lonely world. The lyrics express admiration and awe for the beauty and charisma of the person the singer is addressing, likening them to a "star" with an alluring presence that outshines everything around them. The use of metaphors, such as "you're pins, I'm needles" and "Put the cross between me and you," suggests the two people are meant to complement each other, fitting together like puzzle pieces.
The repetitive use of the phrase "Here we are" throughout the song serves to almost anchor the two people to each other amidst the chaos of the outside world. The lyrics also encourage the two people to "tune out" from the surrounding noise and distractions and focus solely on each other, finding solace in their shared passion for music and the "sound" they create together. Ultimately, the message is one of defiance and strength against any external forces that might try to come between them.