Society Is My Friend
Kurt Vile Lyrics

The lyrics of Kurt Vile's song "Society Is My Friend" are layered with multiple meanings and interpretations. The title itself is ironic, as society is often seen as a collective of individuals who share common values, norms, and behaviors, but in the song, it assumes an ominous and coercive tone. The opening lines, "Society is my friend / He makes me lie down / In a cool blood bath," set the dark and unsettling mood of the song. Society, often seen as a positive force, is here portrayed as a violent and inhumane entity that forces the singer to surrender himself to its will.

The lyrics go on to describe how society's norms and values create distance and detachment, both in personal relationships and in broader social interactions. The lines "He stole my old lady sayin' / 'Hey, how ya doin', let's kiss / My hand is not for you to hold / So kiss me with your mouth / Without closin' it all that much'" depict how society appropriates human connection and emotions for its own purposes. The phrase "kiss me with your mouth without closing it all that much" suggests a performative and shallow notion of intimacy, where people are expected to conform to certain standards of behavior.

The chorus reinforces the idea of society as a force that takes us down and forces us to lie down, metaphorically surrendering to its norms and standards. The line "hear the beautiful sound / Of all the high-pitched squeals / Ecstatic brilliance at its finest / That's my friend" suggests the hypnotic and crushing force of societal norms, which often stifle individuality and creativity.

Overall, the song paints a bleak and unsettling picture of society, portraying it as a violent, manipulative, and oppressive entity that steals our agency and forces us to conform to its ideals.