Release: The Correct Use Of Soap (1980)
Stuck
Magazine Lyrics
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The rush of my senses
In the heat
The heat of this moment
In the Palace of Nations
I think I can love you out of weakness
In the heat of this moment I stick myself in laughter
Run for it
Know-it-all
I will return again
Pushing myself so helpless
Hopeless
When I can love you out of weakness
Which of us is to blame!
I'm stupid
I only know enough to get out of the rain
Oh, I really tiptoe, I really tiptoe
Stop
When you cease to amaze me
Take a look
My part in the pattern
I know it'll never matter
So I stick myself in laughter
I may love you out of weakness
Is that what I was afraid of!
The lyrics to Magazine’s song “Stuck in” are open to interpretation, but they generally have a feeling of self-doubt and insecurity. The song opens with the singer caught up in the rush and heat of a moment, feeling as though they can love someone out of weakness. However, they quickly become aware of their own foolishness and seek to run away despite their arrogance. The lyrics explore themes of blame, helplessness, and the futility of our actions.
The singer appears to be self-aware, acknowledging that they’re not particularly clever, which is why they feel stuck and unable to change their circumstances. They also seem to be very aware of their own flaws and limitations, but they't justify them as a means of protection. The repeated phrase of “I really tiptoe” shows that the singer is aware that they're not making any real progress, but so fearful of taking any chances that they won't even try.
The confusion and insecurity the singer feels is best summed up by the final line, “Is that what I was afraid of?”. The singer seems to be aware of their own weaknesses and how they hold themselves back from living their life fully. But they’re also aware of the cost of inaction, of not taking risks and never knowing what could be. This is a poignant mix of emotions that many people can relate to as they navigate their own way through life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the rush
Feeling overwhelmed and rushed
The rush of my senses
Sensory overload and stimulation
In the heat
Feeling intense emotions
The heat of this moment
Intense feelings and emotions in this moment
In the Palace of Nations
Feeling powerful but with a sense of emptiness or void
I think I can love you out of weakness
Believing that love can fill a void or weakness
In the heat of this moment I stick myself in laughter
Using humor to mask or cope with intense emotions
Run for it
Feeling the need to escape or run away
I'm running away
Making the decision to leave or run away
Know-it-all
Being arrogant or overconfident
I will return again
Knowing that running away is temporary and will return
Pushing myself so helpless
Feeling powerless and unable to control the situation
Hopeless
Feeling without hope or a sense of purpose
When I can love you out of weakness
Believing that love can fill a void or weakness
Which of us is to blame!
Feeling uncertain about who is responsible for the situation
I'm stupid
Feeling foolish or making a mistake
I only know enough to get out of the rain
Knowing just enough to survive or escape a situation but not necessarily thrive in it
Oh, I really tiptoe, I really tiptoe
Being cautious and careful in the situation
Stop
Feeling overwhelmed and needing to pause or stop
When you cease to amaze me
Feeling a sense of disappointment or disillusionment
Take a look
Examining the situation more closely
My part in the pattern
Recognizing one's role or contribution to the situation
I know it'll never matter
Realizing that the outcome is inevitable and out of one's control
So I stick myself in laughter
Using humor to cope with the situation
I may love you out of weakness
Believing that love can fill a void or weakness
Is that what I was afraid of!
Expressing surprise or shock at the realization
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Mute Song Limited
Written by: BARRY ADAMSON, DAVID TOMLINSON, HOWARD DEVOTO, JOHN MC GEOGH, JOHN E DOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind