Transmission
M Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Treason treason
Cunning cold calculating
Treason treason
Darkly waiting infiltrating

Each kiss contains its own betrayal
Scratch me with your painted nail
Sorrow slowly turns to dread
Treason sneaks into your bed

Treason treason treason
The dead black eyes of the adder
Treason treason treason

Don't look for help, you're on your own
Your lover loves another and won't come home
Broken promisses broken light
White is black, black is white

Steady rhythm, even beat
Don't talk back, turn the other cheek
Keep it straight, keep it fair
Talk out of line, if you dare

Who can tell who is the traitor?
Who is the lover? Who is the hater?
Don't make me look, I don't want to see
Is everyone a traitor or is it just me?

Each kiss contains its own betrayal
Scratch me with your painted nail




Sorrow slowly turns to dread
Treason sneaks into your bed

Overall Meaning

In the song "Transmission" by M, the lyrics describe the feeling of betrayal and mistrust in a relationship. The repetition of the word "treason" highlights the theme of betrayal and coldness, while the imagery of a snake with "dead black eyes" emphasizes the metaphor of being infiltrated by someone who is cunning and calculating. The singer questions the loyalty of their partner and wonders if everyone is a traitor, leading to a feeling of paranoia.


The use of the phrase "each kiss contains its own betrayal" suggests that the act of intimacy itself can be used as a tool for betrayal. The reference to scratches from painted nails further emphasizes the idea of deception and pain. The lyrics "white is black, black is white" and "steady rhythm, even beat" suggest a sense of confusion and ambiguity, as if the singer is unsure of what is real and what is not.


Overall, the song captures the feeling of mistrust and emotional manipulation in a relationship, with a sense of desperation and confusion. The repetition of the word "treason" and the use of snake imagery create a haunting and eerie atmosphere.


Line by Line Meaning

Treason treason
The act of betrayal is repeated, emphasizing its importance and prevalence.


Cunning cold calculating
The act of betrayal is carefully planned and calculated.


Darkly waiting infiltrating
The betrayal is happening in secret and is slowly infiltrating the situation.


Each kiss contains its own betrayal
Every intimate moment shared between two people could be a betrayal in disguise.


Scratch me with your painted nail
The artist is aware of the other person's deceit but is willing to ignore it for their own satisfaction.


Sorrow slowly turns to dread
The singer's emotions shift from sadness to fear as they realize the extent of the betrayal.


Treason sneaks into your bed
The singer suggests that this betrayal may be happening in the most intimate of settings.


The dead black eyes of the adder
This line is a metaphor for a person with malicious intent, characterized by their black, lifeless eyes.


Don't look for help, you're on your own
The artist feels isolated and helpless in the face of this betrayal.


Your lover loves another and won't come home
The artist's partner is unfaithful and has abandoned them.


Broken promises broken light
The betrayal has shattered the trust between the singer and the other person.


White is black, black is white
The artist is uncertain about what is true, as the betrayal has twisted their perception of reality.


Steady rhythm, even beat
The singer suggests that there is a certain order to the betrayal, and that it is happening in a predictable manner.


Don't talk back, turn the other cheek
The singer suggests that they are being abused and should simply accept it, without standing up for themselves.


Keep it straight, keep it fair
The singer suggests that fairness and honesty are important values, but it is not clear who they are addressing.


Talk out of line, if you dare
The artist is warning the other person not to cross them, but it's not clear what the consequences would be.


Who can tell who is the traitor?
The artist is questioning who they can trust, as everyone seems to be a potential traitor.


Who is the lover? Who is the hater?
The singer is questioning the intentions of those around them, as they are unsure who is loyal and who is not.


Don't make me look, I don't want to see
The singer is in denial about the betrayal and does not want to confront it.


Is everyone a traitor or is it just me?
The artist is questioning whether they are the problem or if everyone is out to get them.




Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Jeffrey Lyons

This is actually a really good album but few people know it. Everyone knows "Pop Musik." No complaints. Great dance tune but Robin Scott was very creative with his music after that big hit.

Spergtatt

I thought Pop Muzik was crap! This album is A THOUSAND times better!!! It should have gotten more recognition and sold better than it did when it was released back in 1980.

John Allinder

I'm glad to know I'm not alone. This is a beautiful album.

JamesPolymer

I think Robin Scott's follow-up was simply too high-brow for your "average" music fan of the time. A real shame, too...this guy deserved to be as big as Ultravox and Gary Numan.

Guy Boost

@DadgeCity I Like the Album cover it looks like
Robin Scott Cloned himself to follow DEVO in 1980 !

JamesPolymer

@Jeffrey Lyons
Thank you! =D

Jeffrey Lyons

I definitely agree with you James.

JamesPolymer

@DadgeCity Just like Horn/Downes in the Buggles; first album was a massive hit, the second was better in every conceivable way yet fell by the wayside. =/ 

DadgeCity

In those days average music fans were pretty accommodating but he was just too much of a one-off I guess.

jasonsbrain2

I love this song. When my alarm clock goes off in the morning, I like to put my ear buds on and listen to this song before I get out of bed. It's a wonderful song to listen to while you're getting ready to go to work.

More Comments

More Versions