The Sweat Descends
Les Savy Fav Lyrics


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The sweat descends
The sweat scents
One cock sure fox in a house of hens
My mouth will water where the sweat descends

The sweat descends sweet decadence,
lets hope this party never ends
A shiv in the ribs,
Some smoke in the hive,
You live how you live I'll die how i die

Wake me up when we get to heaven,
Let me sleep if we go to hell.
Blame my mouth if the house is burning,
Check my tongue if you still can't tell

The sweat descends,
My psyche bends,
I'll never be the same again.
This soul is twisted but the skin will mend.
My tight young skin covers up a sick palimpsest.

Wake me up when we get to heaven,
Let me sleep if we go to hell.
Blame my mouth if the house is burning,
Touch my tongue if you still can't tell

Make your mark on a darkened dance floor.
Slip across the present tense,




Press up against the skin you care for,
Meet me where the sweat descends

Overall Meaning

The Les Savy Fav song, The Sweat Descends, contains a series of lyrics that are quite evocative and intriguing. The song starts off with the repeated refrain of the sweat descending and the scent that emanates from it. These lyrics can be interpreted as being both literal and metaphorical: on the one hand, the sweat that descends can be seen as simply referring to physical exertion and the odor that emanates from it. On the other hand, the lyrics could also be seen as referring to something much more visceral and primal - the way people are drawn to one another based on their biological impulses.


As the song progresses, the lyrics become more complex and layered. The line "One cock sure fox in a house of hens" can be interpreted as a reference to the way that genders play out in certain social situations. The following line, "My mouth will water where the sweat descends," takes on a questionable, salacious quality in this light.


The refrain of the song is then repeated and further lyrics are added, including "A shiv in the ribs, / Some smoke in the hive, / You live how you live I'll die how I die." The metaphorical interpretations here are more difficult to parse, but they could be seen as referring to the way that people sometimes deal with each other in sometimes tense and confrontational situations: the shiv as a sign of violence, the smoke as a way of polluting or confusing the air.


Overall, The Sweat Descends can be seen as a song that deals with a range of different human impulses, from the sexual to the inflammatory. Its lyrics are mysterious and evocative, and speak to the human experience in a way that is challenging and compelling.


Line by Line Meaning

The sweat descends
Sweating profusely with a hint of a potential bodily aroma.


The sweat scents
A possible unpleasant scent accompanies the act of sweating.


One cock sure fox in a house of hens
Being the only confident individual present amongst others who lack confidence.


My mouth will water where the sweat descends
An attraction exists towards the bodily fluids produced through sweat.


The sweat descends sweet decadence, lets hope this party never ends
The enjoyment of physical pleasure derived from bodily fluids, hoping that the fun will never end.


A shiv in the ribs, Some smoke in the hive, You live how you live I'll die how I die
Facing the harsh realities of life in a dangerous environment and choosing to live and die on one's own terms.


Wake me up when we get to heaven, Let me sleep if we go to hell. Blame my mouth if the house is burning, Check my tongue if you still can't tell
Being okay with any outcome, acknowledging potential consequences, and taking responsibility for one's actions.


My psyche bends, I'll never be the same again. This soul is twisted but the skin will mend. My tight young skin covers up a sick palimpsest.
Undergoing a psychological transformation that will alter one's outlook on life. Acknowledging that the mental and physical scars will heal, but the memories will remain with them.


Make your mark on a darkened dance floor. Slip across the present tense, Press up against the skin you care for, Meet me where the sweat descends
Having an intimate moment with someone special where the only focus is on each other and the pleasure that can be derived from being in their presence.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SYD BUTLER, HARRISON HAYNES, SETH JABOUR, TIM HARRINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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