Although the coroner of New South Wales determined that Hutchence's death was the result of suicide, analysis of the witness statements in the coroner's report, the lack of a suicide note and other anecdotal evidence, such as the fact that Hutchence was found nude, has led some—including Hutchence's brother and other close relatives to suggest that the death may have resulted from autoerotic asphyxiation... not suicide.
Fear
Michael Hutchence Lyrics
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I gotta know
All your troubles
I wanna own
I'm not preaching 'cause I'm full of sin
Nothing's secret that I have not done
Alone with your situation
Kiss the warm knives as they dig for your soul
There in the corner of my dirty home
Take the silver: I've paid that price
Here's the scandal
They don't let the truth get in the way
Alone with your situation
Fear on the face you're saving
Don't you worry don't you run away
There are some things that we know will never change
Don't you worry don't you look away
There are some things that we know we'll have to change
Burning, teasing, searching, fever, twisting,
Turning
I'm the white truth dealer
Alone with your situation
Fear on the face you're saving
The lyrics of Michael Hutchence's "Fear" explore the complex emotions that come with being vulnerable and facing one's fears. The opening lines show the singer's willingness to take on the burdens of someone else and share their troubles. He acknowledges that he has made mistakes and is not preaching from a place of moral superiority. Throughout the song, he addresses someone who is dealing with fear and hiding it from others. The metaphor of "kissing warm knives as they dig for your soul" suggests the pain and self-destructive tendencies that come with struggling alone. The line "Here's the scandal, they don't let the truth get in the way" implies that the singer is willing to confront difficult truths that society tends to brush under the rug.
The chorus of the song is both reassuring and challenging. The singer acknowledges that some things will never change, but at the same time encourages the person to face their fears and take action. The repeated list of verbs - burning, teasing, searching, fever, twisting, turning - creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The final line, "I'm the white truth dealer," could be interpreted in different ways. It could suggest that the singer sees himself as a source of honesty and clarity, or it could be a reference to drugs and the idea of selling a purer form of escapism.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me something
The singer is curious and urging for the truth
I gotta know
He needs to know the story or events
All your troubles
Everything that bothers you
I wanna own
He wants to know and understand them fully
I'm not preaching 'cause I'm full of sin
The singer is acknowledging his flaws and cannot offer any moral guidance
Nothing's secret that I have not done
He's been through it all and no story is new to him
Alone with your situation
You're by yourself, dealing with your issues
Fear on the face you're saving
You're trying to hide your fear or emotions under a facade
Kiss the warm knives as they dig for your soul
You willingly subject yourself to emotional pain and hurt
There in the corner of my dirty home
The singer acknowledges his less than ideal living situation
Take the silver: I've paid that price
He's experienced and paid for the same consequences
Here's the scandal
The shocking details of what happened
They don't let the truth get in the way
People ignore and cover up inconvenient truths
Don't you worry don't you run away
Don't flee from your issues, confront them
There are some things that we know will never change
There are certain constants that come with life
Don't you worry don't you look away
Don't avoid facing what you need to do
There are some things that we know we'll have to change
Change is inevitable in life, embrace it
Burning, teasing, searching, fever, twisting, Turning
Emotions and sensations running high, causing inner turmoil
I'm the white truth dealer
The singer sells and shares the truth, regardless of how difficult it may be
Alone with your situation
You have to face it yourself
Fear on the face you're saving
You're trying to remain strong while battling fear
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE, ANDREW GILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind