Cops
Kill Creek Lyrics
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Longer touching, no struggle for sheets. In two more
Hours, they'll still both be freezing, but pride is the
Winner. She finds he out-did her, he's no longer
Breathing. So what if the cops were wrong? Silence is
Fighting. Ten years are long enough; ten years are
Plenty. New comfort serves now as a confederate to make
Her confess. He needs to know. He pries again angry. She
Cops were wrong? Silence is fighting.
The lyrics to "Cops" by Kill Creek describe a situation of a troubled relationship in which communication has failed, and silence becomes the weapon of choice. The "lights are out, but both their eyes open" suggests that the two people in the bed are not sleeping, but rather ignoring each other. There's no longer any physical contact between them and a "struggle for sheets" implies that they might have been fighting earlier. In a few hours, they will both be freezing, but their pride is preventing them from reaching out to each other. Suddenly, the woman realizes that the man has outdone her, he's "no longer breathing." Instead of calling for help, she remains silent, questioning whether or not she had anything to do with his death.
The second verse shifts to another scene, perhaps the aftermath of the previous events. The woman appears to be under investigation, as evidenced by the phrase "New comfort serves now as a confederate to make her confess." It's unclear what this "new comfort" is, but it seems to be something that's supposed to help her through a difficult time. The man, who may or may not be alive, is demanding answers, and the woman is crying, insisting that she had nothing to do with whatever happened. The repeated line "So what if the cops were wrong? Silence is fighting" suggests that the woman may be withholding information or protecting someone, even if it means taking the blame for something she didn't do.
Overall, the song is a haunting meditation on the destructive power of secrets and the high toll that pride can take on a relationship. The use of sparse, poetic language and ambiguous imagery allows the listener to imagine their way into the story, creating a sense of intimacy and empathy with the characters.
Line by Line Meaning
What if the lights are out, but both their eyes open, no
The possibility of finding oneself in a dark and cold environment with a lifeless partner causes a chilling feeling.
Longer touching, no struggle for sheets. In two more
In the cold and lonely room, the absence of physical contact and the lack of a fight for the sheets suggest something has gone wrong.
Hours, they'll still both be freezing, but pride is the
Even though they will still be cold for the next two hours, their pride will prevent them from seeking warmth together.
Winner. She finds he out-did her, he's no longer
The frozen state of her partner shows that he has beaten her in their game of pride and has refused to compromise for warmth.
Breathing. So what if the cops were wrong? Silence is
In the midst of a tragedy where her partner has stopped breathing, the possibility of the police being wrong becomes irrelevant, as silence now replaces their previous argument.
Fighting. Ten years are long enough; ten years are
A decade-long relationship might seem like a lifetime, as tensions arise and the facade of love fades, leaving partners contemplating coexistence.
Plenty. New comfort serves now as a confederate to make
The new-found comfort only serves to remind her that her partner is no longer there, making it an enemy in her quest for closure.
Her confess. He needs to know. He pries again angry. She
In his pursuit for answers, he persists in prying, even when it makes her feel uncomfortable and angry due to the pain it brings.
Cries again, "Maybe it's nothing I did." So what if the
Her tears and plea for mercy showcase her innocence and deny any wrongdoing, making the previous possibility of the police being wrong insignificant.
Cops were wrong? Silence is fighting.
The silence after a tragedy replaces previous arguments or doubts in the law enforcement and instead provides a form of resistance and disagreement.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.