Tullett's new record Fiancé, which he considers his true debut, is out now on Monotreme Records. On it, Tullett showcases his own natural progression from the influences of modern melodic folk, alternative R&B, and dream pop elements.
Other ongoing projects include working on a full-length release in collaboration with burgeoning alt-folk artist Novo Amor, with love for their first single "Faux" reaching from NPR to BBC Radio 1 and placements in Bones and Pretty Little Liars. Their new collaborative single 'Alps' was released in April 2016 to similar acclaim
You can find Ed here:
Website: www.edtullett.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/edtullett
Twitter: www.twitter.com/edtullett or @edtullett
Teeth
Ed Tullett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it was as fragile as my lips.
Shaken and shut,
I needed staples in my hips
and I needed arms,
but the open air was limbless,
and my nervous breath was endless,
The neat snap of bone,
it was hollowed by your stone.
The hot crush of home,
it was a subtle lapse, your a heart a map
of where your veins go.
When your teeth collapsed you made me catch them,
blood in hands and on your halo.
The heart was hatched in early hours,
we moved to land and watched it grow old.
Lock your teeth into me,
tangle up your spine;
nails in your quiver,
I had ached in my jaw line.
The lyrics of Ed Tullett's song Teeth seem to be about vulnerability, dependence, and the raw emotions that come with a deep connection. The singer begins the song by describing a physical vulnerability - their skin and lips cracking - and seeking solace and support in arms that are not present. This leaves them feeling exposed and helpless, with only their breath as the constant reminder of their own fragility.
The second verse introduces the concept of home, which the singer implies is both comforting and dangerous. The neat snap of bone could refer to the sound of a door closing, or the breaking of an unwelcome truth. The hot crush of home is equally complex - it is a place of safety, but also a place where one's heart can be broken. The singer seems to be grappling with the idea that the things we love the most can also hurt us the most.
As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to include blood, teeth, and nails - all symbols of violence and pain. Yet, within this violence, there is intimacy and tenderness. The heart was hatched in early hours - this line suggests that the relationship between the two people is still new, freshly formed and full of potential. Watching something grow old is a bittersweet experience, but it is also a marker of time and progress. The final lines of the song - "Lock your teeth into me, tangle up your spine; nails in your quiver, I had ached in my jaw line" - seem to be an invitation to intimacy and commitment, despite the risks and pain involved.
Line by Line Meaning
My skin cracked and the sun came in,
I felt vulnerable, exposed to the outside world
it was as fragile as my lips.
My skin was delicate and easily damaged, much like my emotions
Shaken and shut,
I was scared and closed off emotionally
I needed staples in my hips
I needed support to stand up and face my fears
and I needed arms,
I yearned for comfort and someone to hold me
but the open air was limbless,
I was left alone and unsupported
and my nervous breath was endless,
I was so anxious that I couldn't stop hyperventilating
if only it would stop.
I wished for my anxiety to end
The neat snap of bone,
The sudden break was sharp and clean
it was hollowed by your stone.
The person who hurt me had a cold, uncaring heart
The hot crush of home,
The intensity of the relationship felt like being wrapped in a warm embrace
it was a subtle lapse, your a heart a map
Your heart was a guide, but occasionally it led us astray
of where your veins go.
Your actions revealed your true feelings and intentions
When your teeth collapsed you made me catch them,
When you fell apart, I picked up the pieces
blood in hands and on your halo.
Helping you came at a cost to myself, physically and mentally
The heart was hatched in early hours,
Our love began and grew during late night moments of intimacy and vulnerability
we moved to land and watched it grow old.
As time passed, our relationship became stagnant and lost its spark
Lock your teeth into me,
Hold onto me and never let go
tangle up your spine;
Get close to me and become intertwined with me
nails in your quiver,
We may hurt each other, but we still hold onto each other tightly
I had ached in my jaw line.
The pain and sadness of the past left a physical mark on me
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.