Chino Moreno sings the verses in a gritted-like whisper, with words so distorted they did not appear on the official lyric booklet.
Lhabia
Deftones Lyrics
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There are tricks and evil
Holler downstairs while I drive
I make a plan just to get you back to what we're doing
I wanna burn you, wanna watch you
You'll think again, deep within, keep it deep inside
Yeah, while I serenade, buttercup, yeah, buttercup
Oh, slow it down and then we'll do it again and again
And make the best of a simple thing
To believe this, bound, coming through fire!
Dying of boredom
I'll try it all
Sixteen, olive
Bound by voice
I bleed again like a girl that can make 'em turn
Don't look, but I want it
Too much blood into my stomach, it's because it's sick
Pass through, break the bands between us
I can dare to go, but never what you can't do
What you get is never what you want to get
Now to pray your sigh is over like a doped drug
Like a voice, well, at least you fucking care
Dying of boredom
I'll try it all
Oh, I'll be faint
Like a crook
Let's quit
Look at what it's doing to you
But that's okay, 'cause look at how it feels
Let's quit
Feels great but look at what it's doing to you
But that's okay, 'cause look at how it feels
Feels great but look at what it's doing to you
But that's okay, 'cause look at how it feels
Look at what it's doing to you
But that's okay, 'cause look at how it feels
Burn God down, starts to stir again
Fucking heretic, I've opened up this for me
Lack of sterile, I'll stack the bricks down
Hurt you too much, I'm working 'round to
I can punch through it, make the hair stick
Don't wanna hurt you, just to fuck you
I'm out of time, so I tell her to rest and to
I'll rely on these two and be fine
Dying of boredom
I'll try it all
I'll be faint
Like a crook
Let's do it
Look at what it's doing to you
But that's okay, 'cause look at how it feels
The lyrics to Deftones' song Lhabia are cryptic yet potent in painting an image of entrapment brought about by external and internal factors. The line "Somewhere, outside / There are tricks and evil" implies an external force that causes turmoil and disturbances. Meanwhile, the following line "Holler downstairs / While I drive" suggests a sense of urgency to escape these evils. Then, the lyrics shift to a more personal struggle as the singer expresses their desire to watch someone "buttercup / Coming through the fog" which could mean their wish to see someone rise above their hindrances.
The next couple of lines are more focused on the singer as they express their boredom and their willingness to try anything, even if it endangers them. The line "Sixteen, olive / Bound by a voice / I don't want to go but I want it / Well at least you fucking care" has multiple interpretations. It could talk about a lover or a friend who keeps the singer from succumbing to their boredom, or it could refer to the singer's inner demons. The last verse is a repetition of the previous, emphasizing the idea that whatever they do, even if it destroys them, is worth doing as long as it feels good.
Overall, Deftones' Lhabia is a song that paints a picture of the struggle between one's desire for freedom and their submission to things that keep them trapped, be it external or internal. The lyrics carry a sense of urgency towards liberation and the need to do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if it harms oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere, outside
There exists an unknown or unfamiliar place outside of where the singer is currently located
There are tricks and evil
The outside world contains deceitful or malevolent actions and intentions
Holler downstairs
The singer is calling out to someone located below their current position
While I drive
The artist is operating a vehicle while engaging in the other activities mentioned
I want to watch you buttercup
The artist desires to observe and admire someone, possibly a romantic interest
Coming through the fog
The person or situation being observed is unclear or obscured, possibly due to emotional or mental barriers
Dying of boredom
The singer is experiencing extreme tedium or ennui
I'll try it all
The artist is willing to experiment with various experiences and actions to alleviate boredom
Sixteen, olive
A possible reference to the appearance or characteristics of a teenage girl, possibly indicating a sexual interest
Bound by a voice
The teenage girl and possibly the artist are trapped or influenced by external or internal forces, such as social norms or emotions
I don't want to go but I want it
The singer desires something that may be considered improper or taboo, but is reluctant to leave their current state or situation
Well at least you fucking care
The artist is expressing sarcasm or bitterness towards someone who has shown concern, but may not fully understand their situation
I'll be faint
The singer may feel weak or powerless in a particular situation
Like a crook
The singer may feel guilty or dishonest in the actions they are taking to alleviate boredom
It looks and feels great but look at what it's doing to you
The singer acknowledges that engaging in certain activities may feel pleasurable or exciting, but may have negative consequences on one's well-being or relationships
But that's ok, look at how it feels
The artist justifies their actions by focusing on the immediate physical or emotional gratification they receive
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abe Cunningham, Chi Cheng, 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.