Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
Take the Pill
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take the pill that makes you sick
Take the pill or you'll be sorry
Take this bloody pill and make it quick
Take the pill that kills your sex drive
Take the pill that makes you cry
Take the pill that burns your insides
Be careful what you say…
Today could be your day…
You no longer rule your body
You no longer own those rights
You will wake up when we say so
You will sleep when we shut out the lights
Enjoy your stay…
'Cause you can't run away…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You'll be just fine…
Take the pill that keeps you quiet
Take the pill that keeps you blind
Take the pill that wipes your memory
Take the pill that's fucking with your mind
That's all you have to lose…
That's funny…
Best that you're not procreating
Best that you don't multiply
Better still, let's sterilize you
Take this pill, the Doctor's standing by
Pull up your skirt…
And yes, it's going to hurt…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You'll be just fine…
Don't you wanna be sedated
Don't you want to ease this pain
If the pills are not effective
Then we will electroshock your brain
We are not happy with your progress
You're not yet considered "sane"
If these pills are not effective
We'll electroshock your brain
Don't even think of spitting out
We know your tricks, we're on to you
We will check underneath your tongue
We know exactly what you'll do
Your accusation are a joke
Your credibility is shot
Just keep your eyes down and your mouth shut
That's the only choice you've got
So you're a Doctor and I am just a crazy little girl…
Who would you believe?
Well he's a Doctor and you are just a crazy fucking bitch…
Who would you believe?
We've filled your prescription, you'll never run out again
We've filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
We've filled your prescription, you'll never run out again
We've filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
Now, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow…
The song "Take the Pill" by Emilie Autumn addresses the issue of control and manipulation in the context of medication. The lyrics depict a scenario where someone is being forcefully medicated and made to feel helpless and powerless. The song begins with a directive to take a pill that will make the person weaker and sicker. The verse then goes on to describe other pills that have different effects, such as killing the sex drive, making one cry or burn on the inside, and wiping one's memory. The chorus repeats the line "get back in line" and emphasizes that the person being medicated has lost control over their body and has no choice but to comply. The bridge of the song portrays a bleak outlook where the person is being sterilized and possibly even subjected to electroshock therapy.
The song's message is clear: the person being medicated is being stripped of their agency and subjected to a system that aims to control and silence them. The use of pills as a means of control is a metaphor that speaks to the larger issue of how mental health is often stigmatized, and those who suffer from mental illness are often forced to take medication against their will. The song is a call to resist such oppressive tactics and to fight for one's right to choose.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the pill that makes you weaker
Take medication that will physically weaken you
Take the pill that makes you sick
Take medication that will cause physical sickness
Take the pill or you'll be sorry
You are being forced to take medication against your will
Take this bloody pill and make it quick
You are being instructed to take the medication as soon as possible
Take the pill that kills your sex drive
Take medication that will kill your sex drive
Take the pill that makes you cry
Take medication that will cause you to cry
Take the pill that burns your insides
Take medication that will cause pain in your stomach
Take the pill that makes you want to die
Take medication that will cause suicidal thoughts
Be careful what you say…
Be cautious about what you say because it can be held against you
Today could be your day…
You may be punished or forced to take medication today
You no longer rule your body
You are not in control of your own body
You no longer own those rights
You have lost your rights as a person
You will wake up when we say so
You will be forcibly put to sleep and woken up by others
You will sleep when we shut out the lights
You will only sleep when the lights are turned off by others
Enjoy your stay…
You are being kept somewhere against your will
'Cause you can't run away…
You are unable to escape or leave
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You are being ordered to follow the rules and stay in line
You'll be just fine…
You will be told you are okay even if you are not
Take the pill that keeps you quiet
Take medication to keep you from speaking or making noise
Take the pill that keeps you blind
Take medication to keep you from seeing or being aware
Take the pill that wipes your memory
Take medication to erase your memory
Take the pill that's fucking with your mind
Take medication that is messing with your mental state
That's all you have to lose…
Taking the medication is your only option, even though it may cause harm
Best that you're not procreating
It is better that you do not reproduce
Best that you don't multiply
It is better for society if you do not have children
Better still, let's sterilize you
It would be best if you were sterilized
Take this pill, the Doctor's standing by
A doctor is present, ready to force you to take medication
Pull up your skirt…
You are being forced to expose your body
And yes, it's going to hurt…
You will experience pain as a result of this procedure
Don't you wanna be sedated
Don't you want to be medicated and put to sleep
Don't you want to ease this pain
Don't you want to take medication to alleviate your pain
If the pills are not effective
If the medication does not work as intended
Then we will electroshock your brain
If medication does not work, electroshock therapy will be used
We are not happy with your progress
Medical professionals are not satisfied with the progress you are making
You're not yet considered 'sane'
You are not being viewed as mentally stable or healthy
Don't even think of spitting out
You are being warned not to refuse medication or vomit it up
We know your tricks, we're on to you
Staff are aware of your attempts to resist or fight back
We will check underneath your tongue
Staff will monitor you to ensure that you are taking medication
We know exactly what you'll do
The staff are prepared for any possible actions you might take
Your accusations are a joke
No one will believe what you say about your situation
Your credibility is shot
You are not seen as a trustworthy or reliable source of information
Just keep your eyes down and your mouth shut
You are being warned not to speak up or draw attention to yourself
That's the only choice you've got
You are being forced into submission
So you're a Doctor and I am just a crazy little girl…
A powerless individual is being contrasted with someone in a position of authority
Who would you believe?
Who is more believable - the powerful person or the powerless person?
Well he's a Doctor and you are just a crazy fucking bitch…
The powerful person is labeling the powerless person as insane and insulting them
We've filled your prescription, you'll never run out again
You will be given medication in abundance and not allowed to run out
We've filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
Drugs are being presented as your only comfort or source of support
Now, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
You are being forced to take a large number of pills in quick succession
Take it, take it, take it, take it
You are being repeatedly commanded to take the medication
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow
You are being instructed to quickly swallow the pills
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow…
The repeated command to swallow highlights how you are being forced to obey
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Level Zero Hero
i was in "intensive outpatient group therapy" 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. one time we had music therapy and they asked everyone to bring in a song that described our mental health. i brought this.
Ralph Jacavage
Heroic.
Keiko Nooner
That is amazing! I hope that you have gotten away and are ok. I'm rooting for you.
Sparklle Rainne
Being put on the wrong medication as a teen ruined my life. I’m so grateful for this song.
BrokenDarkFire
This brought back all my feelings about being medicated (they helped, but I always accidentally went off them, and they were the worst to restart)
The Legendary Aegis
Just starting to listen to her music and I love it so much.
TheHistoryAndBookNerd 89
Welcome, fellow Plague Rat! Enjoy your stay <3
The Legendary Aegis
@TheHistoryAndBookNerd 89 Thank you!
Enrique Rivera
Welcome newcomer. Glad you found your way
InGodzHandz
I need medication to stabilize my mental health and I love them, but this reminds me of when my parents would request I ask for a higher dose. It also makes me think of when my older sister told me I needed to shut up or I’d be sent to an insane asylum. It’s like they couldn’t ever even try to handle my emotions.