Wild Vanilla
Hersh Kristin Lyrics
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Clean dreams downcast eyes
If you lived here you'd been home now and suicidal
That was one striking phone call boy your voice at a fever pitch
And here I thought that you'd just full of white noise called to bitch
You messing with my head makes a terrible noise
Clean eyes and grey hair
Cross an ocean and you vague and itchy belong there
You are whizzing past my ears a shit scared domestic god
You make the gypsy in me horny for a flower garden
You messing with my head makes a terrible noise
The song "Wild Vanilla" by Kristin Hersh is a hauntingly beautiful composition with complex lyrics. The song seems to be about a relationship that has gone sour and the aftermath of the breakup. The opening line "Wild vanilla, clean dreams, downcast eyes" sets the mood of the song with the use of imagery that suggests purity and melancholy. The second line "If you lived here you'd been home now and suicidal" adds to the sense of isolation and despair.
The following lines seem to be about a phone call from the person who has caused the breakup. The line "That was one striking phone call, boy your voice at a fever pitch" suggests that the person is upset and agitated. The line "And here I thought that you'd just full of white noise called to bitch" suggests that the person on the other end is just venting anger and frustration without any real substance to their complaints.
The second verse is equally complex, with lines like "Cross an ocean and you vague and itchy, belong there". This line seems to suggest that the person is unsure of their own place in the world and is restless and uncomfortable. The line "You make the gypsy in me horny for a flower garden" adds to the sense of wanderlust and the strong desire for something beautiful and fulfilling.
Overall, the song "Wild Vanilla" is a complex and evocative meditation on the aftermath of a failed relationship, and the conflicting emotions that such a breakup can create.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild vanilla
She's comparing herself to wild vanilla, which is a natural and exotic flavor. Just like how she is untamed and unique.
Clean dreams downcast eyes
She has pure dreams but her eyes show sadness or disappointment, maybe from unmet expectations.
If you lived here you'd been home now and suicidal
The singer is saying that if the person lived with her, based on their behavior and mood, they wouldn't feel at home and may feel suicidal.
That was one striking phone call boy your voice at a fever pitch
The artist reflects on a past phone call that was intense, and the person's voice was raised in anger, frustration, or excitement.
And here I thought that you'd just full of white noise called to bitch
Despite the intensity of the phone call, the artist initially thought that the person was just making meaningless noise, and calling them to complain about something.
You messing with my head makes a terrible noise
The person's actions or words are causing the singer to feel confused, upset, or off-balance, like a loud, unpleasant noise.
Clean eyes and grey hair
The singer has clear, honest eyes, but her hair has aged and turned grey over time, possibly representing wisdom or experience.
Cross an ocean and you vague and itchy belong there
Even if the person travels across the ocean to new places, they still feel uncertain and uncomfortable, like they don't belong, showing a sense of restlessness or unease.
You are whizzing past my ears a shit scared domestic god
The person is moving quickly past the artist, who sees them as a fearful, hesitant figure who tries to control their family or household.
You make the gypsy in me horny for a flower garden
The artist is saying that the person's behavior, while unsettling, ignites a sense of wanderlust or desire for beautiful things in her, like a gypsy drawn to a colorful flower garden.
Contributed by Addison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.