Clean
Helmet Lyrics

The lyrics for "Clean" by Helmet are full of abstract imagery and cryptic references. At its core, the song seems to be about someone who feels trapped and stifled by their own feelings and thoughts. The repeated line "Don't remind me, I'll fake what I need" speaks to a sense of self-denial or repression, as if the singer is trying to hide their true emotions from themselves and others.

The opening lines "Spread your mind the fish feed / Don't ignore my speech my heart bleeds" suggest that the singer is trying to communicate something important, but feels ignored or misunderstood. The fish feed metaphor also implies a sense of powerlessness or lack of agency, as if the singer is just a small voice in a large, inscrutable system. The line "Make yourself the perfect butt / Some passing thought, I don't know what" adds to this sense of disorientation, as if the singer is lost in a maze of conflicting desires and expectations.

Later in the song, the lines "Fit to tie / I thought I knew good company / I'd like to be you" suggest that the singer is envious of someone else's status or success, but also feels inferior or unworthy. The line "Your mood rings" adds to the sense of social anxiety, as if the singer is worried about how others are perceiving them. The repeated line "You're right behind me and / Mouth all I read" suggests a sense of paranoia or distrust, as if the singer feels under constant scrutiny or threat.

Overall, "Clean" is a complex and ambiguous song that invites multiple interpretations. It speaks to feelings of alienation, repression, and anxiety, and seems to suggest that the only way to escape these feelings is through a kind of self-deception or self-transformation.