The first chorus suggests a weariness with the relationship and a desire for love and intimacy instead of playing games. The third verse describes a scene of intimacy, but instead of being happy, the speaker seems to be troubled by the sadness present in both partners. The second chorus reveals the speaker as willing to sell herself entirely to Eric but knowing that the relationship cannot be wholly sustainable.
Overall, the song seems to describe a relationship built on power struggles and physical desire instead of love and connection. Despite this, the speaker seems drawn to Eric and is willing to sacrifice anything to be close to him, even though they both know that this type of relationship is ultimately doomed to fail.
Eric
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take off my clothes and watch me move
You can come closer, I'll let you
Hurt me how you choose
Help me with the zipper on my skirt, it's stuck
As you kneel I'll be watching you fix me
This view of you, of the top of your head,
But how long, how long can we play this way
I'm tired, I'm tired of not loving you
My heart, my heart wants to hold you
But I know, I know, I know the rules
Blue light, dark room, the white of your teeth
As you smile at my trembling shoulders
But your skin, did you notice your skin
It cries a soft weep like mine
I'll sell, I'll sell my heart to you
What's my, what's my, what's my price
How 'bout, how 'bout just a part of you
'Cause I want, I want, I want, I want
I want I want I want I want I want
In Mitski's song "Eric," the lyrics paint a complex picture of a dysfunctional relationship between two individuals who are both drawn to control and power dynamics. The first stanza sets the tone, immediately establishing a sexual and power dynamic where the singer invites the other person to control her, even to hurt her. She acknowledges that she too enjoys control, setting up a scenario where the two are playing with fire, an almost dangerous game of dominance.
The second stanza takes on a darker tone, as the lyrics describe the singer asking her partner to help her with her skirt zipper, and the view of him on his knees fixing her, making her forgive him for the pain she's been feeling. There are clear suggestions of both pleasure and pain, and how intertwined those two concepts can be. Despite this, the singer seems to be struggling with the dynamic, and questioning how long they can keep it up.
The final stanza again showcases the theme of control and power, with the singer suggesting she'll sell her heart to the other person, but then questioning the price. It's unclear whether she's asking for them to take their relationship more seriously or if she's just questioning what she has to give up to keep the status quo. Ultimately, the song paints a painful picture of a relationship built on the need for control and power, with both parties struggling to maintain their respective roles.
Line by Line Meaning
You like control, well I do too
I am not afraid to admit that I also enjoy the feeling of being in control, just like you do.
Take off my clothes and watch me move
I am willing to be vulnerable with you, to let you see me and my body as I move freely.
You can come closer, I'll let you
I am willing to let you get closer to me emotionally and physically, to share a deeper connection.
Hurt me how you choose
I trust you enough to give you the power to hurt me if that's what it takes for us to grow and connect.
Help me with the zipper on my skirt, it's stuck
I am okay with asking for your help and allowing you to assist me in a moment of vulnerability.
As you kneel I'll be watching you fix me
I am aware of your actions and attentive to you even as I am the one being helped.
This view of you, of the top of your head,
Even seemingly small moments or details about you are meaningful and beautiful to me.
Makes me forgive you
I have been hurt before, but my positive feelings towards you are enough to help me forgive and move on.
But how long, how long can we play this way
I am slowly starting to realize that our relationship might not be sustainable in the long term if it continues this way.
I'm tired, I'm tired of not loving you
I am yearning for a deeper love and connection with you, and our current dynamic is not fulfilling that desire.
My heart, my heart wants to hold you
I have strong feelings of affection for you and crave physical and emotional intimacy.
But I know, I know, I know the rules
I understand that there are societal expectations and limitations on how our relationship can progress.
Blue light, dark room, the white of your teeth
Even in the darkness, the sight of you brings me comfort and happiness.
As you smile at my trembling shoulders
Your simple gestures of kindness and care make me feel safe and protected.
But your skin, did you notice your skin
I am observant of you, with a keen eye for small details like the texture and color of your skin.
It cries a soft weep like mine
I recognize that you also have hidden emotions and struggles that need to be nurtured and cared for, just like mine.
I'll sell, I'll sell my heart to you
I am willing to give you all of myself, to abandon all reservations and give you my full love and devotion.
What's my, what's my, what's my price
What I am asking for in return is simply your love and affection in equal measure.
How 'bout, how 'bout just a part of you
I am not greedy; even a small amount of love and care from you is enough to make me feel fulfilled and happy.
'Cause I want, I want, I want, I want
My desire for you and our relationship is strong and unyielding - I am not ashamed to voice my wants and needs.
I want I want I want I want I want
My feelings are not fleeting or superficial - I truly desire a deep and meaningful relationship with you.
Contributed by Aiden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MissJonesBaker
[Verse 1]
You like control, well, I do, too
Take off my clothes and watch me move
You can come closer, I'll let you hurt me
How you choose
[Bridge]
Help me with the zipper on my skirt it's stuck
As you kneel, I'll be watching you fix me
This view of you, of the top of your head makes me forgive you
[Hook]
But how long, how long can we play this way?
I'm tired, I'm tired of not loving you
My heart, my heart wants to hold you
But I know, I know, I know the rules
[Verse 2]
Blue light, dark room, the white of your teeth
As you smile at my trembling shoulders
But your skin, did you notice your skin?
It cries a soft weep like mine also, I'll sell
My whole to you
What's my, what's my price?
How 'bout, how 'bout just a part of you?
Cause I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want
@marie6463
“you like control, well i do too.
take off my clothes and watch me move
you can come closer, i’ll let you
hurt me how you choose”
she knows it’s wrong, she doesn’t want him to be in control
but what she doesn’t know is how wrong it is
she can’t find the control she once convinced herself she had
she questions herself if it were ever there
or if she’d been making it up
because when it’s comes down to the real situation
she’s given in, lets him do as he pleases
“help me with the zipper on my skirt, it’s stuck
as you kneel i’ll be watching you fix me
this view of you, of the top of your head, makes me forgive you”
she reminisces on the good parts of him
hoping it will overlook the bad
she decides it does
because he didn’t actual mean it, right?
he’s not like that
and it’s not that bad anyway
so she forgives him
“but how long, how long can we play this way
i’m tired, i’m tired of not loving you
my heart, my heart wants to hold you
but i know, i know, i know the rules”
shes grown tired of the abuse
she truly wants to love him and move past this
but he only hurts her more
or maybe she wants hold him, coddle him
but he doesn’t feel love for her, only lust
so she keeps to herself
“blue light, dark room, the white of your teeth
as you smile at my trembling shoulders
but your skin, did you notice your skin
it cries a soft weep like mine”
he doesn’t feel bad
he doesn’t have empathy
it’s just not one of his values
he drowns in the pleasure of her fear
it makes him feel powerful
on top of the world
she knows he’s a bad person
but she can’t help but feel pity for him
he wasn’t born this way
it was brought upon by his own abuse and trauma
in a sick way they are the same
“i’ll sell, i’ll sell my heart to you
what’s my, what’s my, what’s my price
how bout’, how bout’ just a part of you
‘cause i want, i want, i want, i want
i want i want i want i want i want”
he use to love and respect her,
long before
she’s searching for that part of him now
but she knows it’ll never be the same
what’s done is done
nevertheless she’ll still give herself up to find it
she knows it’s hurting her
but it’s all she wants
@mitskileaks
Mitski's new album 'The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We', featuring the song "My Love Mine All Mine" is out now. Watch the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx4kLgnFexo
Listen to the album: https://mitski.lnk.to/TLIIASAW
@olyophogrific
Mitski come live with me in Brasil i can cook for you i promise
@belemhernandezoyervides1786
Te amooo
@allmitskilyricsgluedtogether
MOM
@aranza2046
MITSKI I LOVE YOU PLEASE COME TO MEXICO DURANGO PLEASE I LOVE YOU AND YOUR MUSIC
@lotti59
good morning to the lush album and the lush album only
@lavandulas
so true bestie
@myaayed3736
@@lavandulas so true..
@zaimaafrin3006
intellectuals like the lush album
@cavejohnsonstanaccount4635
spill