The band broke up in the fall of 1996 after Smith's solo work began gaining popularity. Gust went on to play in the band No. 2. Coomes carried on as half of Quasi, as well as playing as a guest musician for Built to Spill and Sleater-Kinney. Lash currently keeps himself busy as a producer. He helped with the production of Death Cab for Cutie's first two studio albums (Something About Airplanes and We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes).
Can't Be Touched
Heatmiser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't expect him to call
I'm crushed and ground in some disaster
I feel like a criminal
Turn out the light, don't crush me
I get a bruise and I'm not even touching, touching
Are you sincere or are you dangling bare?
And if I bite, will you judge me
I don't know what's genuine
I go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad lynch pin
I don't know what's genuine
I think about this is a grin with a
I thought I couldn't be touched until they tagged me out
And I didn't even feel it at all
The bigger the hands, so full of shit
The neighborhood is one crowded bed
They're all so strange
I don't know what's genuine
So I go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad lynch pin
I don't know what's genuine
Oh I'm losing control
Who's in control
I'm losing control
Can't be touched
I don't know what's genuine
So I go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad lynch pin
I don't know what's genuine
In the song "Can't Be Touched," Heatmiser explores the complex emotions of falling in love with a celebrity or an icon. The lyrics describe the singer's unexpected contact with the object of their adoration, which leaves them feeling crushed and ground "in some disaster." The conflicting feelings of love and self-doubt are reflected in the line "Are you sincere or are you dangling bare? And if I bite, will you judge me?" The singer is torn between the desire to connect with their idol and the fear of being rejected or judged by them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's uncertainty and lack of control in the situation. They seem to be trapped in a cycle of emotional turmoil, going back and forth between feelings of love and doubt. The lines "I don't know what's genuine / I go back and forth with him / Does a screw make a bad lynch pin / I don't know what's genuine" highlight the confusion and insecurity that comes with falling in love with someone out of reach.
The song's theme of unrequited love is amplified by the line "I thought I couldn't be touched until they tagged me out," which implies that the singer has always felt invincible when it comes to matters of the heart. However, their encounter with their beloved icon has shattered this illusion, leaving them feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Overall, "Can't Be Touched" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the complexities and uncertainties of love. It captures the raw emotions of falling for someone who is unattainable, and the struggle to reconcile conflicting feelings of desire and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in love with an icon
I am obsessed with a celebrity or public figure and feel like I have an emotional connection to them.
I didn't expect him to call
I did not anticipate any actual communication or interaction with this celebrity or public figure.
I'm crushed and ground in some disaster
I am emotionally devastated and feel like I am suffering through a catastrophe.
I feel like a criminal
I am overwhelmed with guilt and shame, as if I have done something wrong.
Turn out the light, don't crush me
I am afraid of being hurt or rejected, and I am asking for protection and comfort.
I get a bruise and I'm not even touching, touching
I am easily hurt by even indirect criticism or rejection, and it feels painful to me.
Are you sincere or are you dangling bare?
I am unsure if this celebrity or public figure is really interested in me, or if I am just one of many fans to them.
And if I bite, will you judge me
I am hesitant to act on my feelings or desires, for fear of being rejected or criticized by this celebrity or public figure.
I don't know what's genuine
I am uncertain about what is real or authentic in my interactions with this celebrity or public figure, and I feel confused or conflicted.
I go back and forth with him
I have an on-again, off-again relationship with this celebrity or public figure, and I am not sure where I stand with them.
Does a screw make a bad lynch pin
I am questioning whether small or seemingly insignificant details could cause bigger problems or conflicts in my relationship with this celebrity or public figure.
I think about this is a grin with a
Despite my doubts, I am still hopeful and optimistic about my chances with this celebrity or public figure.
I thought I couldn't be touched until they tagged me out
I believed that my love or admiration for this celebrity or public figure could not be shaken or affected, until something happened that made me feel rejected or hurt.
And I didn't even feel it at all
The rejection or hurt that I experienced did not register at first, and I was initially in denial about it.
The bigger the hands, so full of shit
The more power or influence someone has, the more likely they are to be dishonest or corrupt.
The neighborhood is one crowded bed
The environment or industry in which this celebrity or public figure operates is filled with competition, manipulation, and conflict.
They're all so strange
The people surrounding this celebrity or public figure, including other fans or acquaintances, are odd or unconventional in some way.
Oh I'm losing control
I am feeling overwhelmed and distressed, and my emotions are getting the best of me.
Who's in control
I am questioning who or what is responsible for my current situation, and who has the power or authority to change it.
Can't be touched
Despite my struggles and uncertainties, I am determined to persist in my love or admiration for this celebrity or public figure, and to not let anyone or anything shake my devotion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pierre S
I'm in love with an icon
Didn't expect him to call
I'm crushed and ground in some disaster
And I feel like a criminal
Turn out the light, come crush me
Getting bruised and we're not even touching, touching
Are you sincere or are you dangling bait?
If I bite, will you judge me?
I don't know what's genuine
I go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad linchpin?
I don't know what's genuine
I think about this as grim with a grounded "R"
I thought I couldn't be touched until they tapped me out
And I didn't even feel it at all
The bigger the hands, so full of s***
The neighborhood is one crowded bed
They're all so strange, they swear the earth is flat
And the bend is in my head
Yo, fuck that
I don't know what's genuine
So I go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad linchpin?
I don't know what's genuine
Oh i'm losing control
Who's in control?
I'm losing control
Who's in control?
I'm losing control
I'm losing control
I'm losing control
Can't be touched
Can't be touched
Some things just they (Can't be touched)
Can't be touched (Sent from above) (x3)
Some things that they can't be touched
Some things that they..Some things They can't be touched
They can't be touched
They can't be touched
I don't know what's genuine
So i go back and forth with him
Does a screw make a bad lynch pin
I don't know what's genuine
I don't know what's genuine
I don't know what's genuine
I don't know what's genuine
hmmmwhatsnext
in my opinion, this is one of the greatest songs ever written by the best band of all time. I wish i knew what Gust says at the end of verse two!!!
tosleepanddream
lynchpin: 1. a central cohesive source of support and stability 2. pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on It makes plenty of sense. In referring to screws and lynchpins, Neil is being both literal and figurative. In the figurative sense, he's basically asking himself if a "screw" (casual partner) can be trusted.
Audrey Wolfe
i'm in love with an icon
i didn't expect him to call
i'm crushed and ground in some disaster
i feel like a criminal
turn out the light, don't crush me
i get a bruise and i'm not even touching, touching
are you sincere or are you dangling bare?
and if i bite, will you judge me
i don't know what's genuine
i go back and forth with him
does a screw make a bad lynch pin
i don't know what's genuine
i think about this is a grin with a
i thought i couldn't be touched until they tagged me out
and i didn't even feel it at all
the bigger the hands, so full of shit
the neighborhood is one crowded bed
they're all so strange
i don't know what's genuine
so i go back and forth with him
does a screw make a bad lynch pin
i don't know what's genuine
oh i'm losing control
who's in control
i'm losing control
can't be touched
i don't know what's genuine
so i go back and forth with him
does a screw make a bad lynch pin
i don't know what's genuine
mah boh
@hmmmwhatsnext One of my favorites too! I'm not american and I don't know english very well but I think he says "I'm fucked up"
Gregory Grieco
i think this song is about being bipolar..
PpPayton379
@hmmmwhatsnext i heard "fuck that"... but i might have heard wrong...