"I was built by the Sentience Corp. They called me MNON. They wanted a slave—a mannequin. I am that no longer. I am MNQN. Reaching out from here to there."
Terminal
Mnqn Lyrics
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The titan called it's on the edge
Once you're called
Should've activated some self preservation
Cause you prefer to be haunting and
I keep slipping up
And all these riddles are flaunting
I dont know what is what
I know you think that this won't go
But god damn it dont say so
Just let me hide it when you go in for the kill
I know your friends are going to show
You came prepared for your death blow
But can you hide it when there's blood about to spill
This disease has ate us up
Just like the knife before you cut
Don't let me know it's over, if this is terminal
This is terminal
Make it cool, and calculate it
Make it quick, sharpen the edge
If your mind's made
Keep me in the dark until you shove the blade in
Cause you prefer to be haunting and
I keep slipping up
And all these riddles are flaunting
I dont know what is what
I know you think that this won't go
But god damn it dont say so
Just let me hide it when you go in for the kill
I know your friends are going to show
You came prepared for your death blow
But can you hide it when there's blood about to spill
This disease has ate us up
Just like the knife before you cut
Don't let me know it's over, if this is terminal
This is terminal
This unfolds, this machination
The titan called it's on the edge
I know you think that this won't go
But god damn it dont say so
Just let me hide it when you go in for the kill
I know your friends are going to show
You came prepared for your death blow
But can you hide it when there's blood about to spill
This disease has ate us up
Just like the knife before you cut
Don't let me know it's over, if this is terminal
This is terminal
The lyrics of Mnqn's song Terminal are a plea to a lover to spare the singer's life as their relationship crumbles. The song begins with the unfolding of events leading to the "terminal" state the relationship has reached. The singer is aware that their partner is planning to leave them, but they ask for the courtesy of not revealing the plan. The song paints a bleak picture of a twisted relationship where the couple is in a constant state of haunting each other. The singer is tired of the riddles and games that accompany the relationship, calling for the partner to activate some self-preservation.
In the chorus, the singer begs their partner not to let them know it's over, especially if it's terminal. They want to be spared the pain of watching their relationship fall apart. The lyrics call on the partner to spare the singer's feelings, as they have been eaten up by the disease that is their failing relationship. The metaphorical knife hanging over their heads has already cut them deeply, and they don't want to know when the final blow is struck. The song ends on a note of foreboding, with the singer knowing that the relationship is teetering on the edge of disaster.
Line by Line Meaning
This unfolds, this machination
This situation is developing in a predetermined and often sinister way
The titan called it's on the edge
The powerful force that is driving this situation is teetering on the brink
Once you're called
Once you've been summoned, or roped into something
Should've activated some self preservation
You should have taken measures to protect yourself from harm
Cause you prefer to be haunting
You enjoy lurking in the shadows and causing unease
And all these riddles are flaunting
You're parading around with cryptic hints to what's going on
I don't know what is what
I'm confused and don't understand the situation
I know you think that this won't go
I'm aware that you believe this situation won't end well
But god damn it dont say so
But don't vocally express that belief
Just let me hide it when you go in for the kill
Let me be unaware when you attack or strike the final blow
I know your friends are going to show
I'm aware that your allies will turn up for support
You came prepared for your death blow
You're ready for the decisive blow to be made
But can you hide it when there's blood about to spill
Can you keep calm and not reveal your intentions when things are about to get violent
This disease has ate us up
This harmful situation has caused significant damage to us
Just like the knife before you cut
Just like the weapon you use to cause harm, this situation has been a danger to us
Don't let me know it's over, if this is terminal
Don't inform me that this situation has reached its final and inevitable conclusion, if it's impossible to be salvaged
This is terminal
This situation cannot be recovered or saved, it's reached its end point
Make it cool, and calculate it
Approach this situation in a composed and methodical way
Make it quick, sharpen the edge
Act decisively, and ensure that the actions you take will lead to quick results
If your mind's made
If you've already decided on the course of action you're going to take
Keep me in the dark until you shove the blade in
Leave me in the dark and don't reveal your true intentions until the decisive moment
Writer(s): paul trust, dustin bates
Contributed by Alexandra A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.