Placebo
NIN & JA Lyrics


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Are you so merciful (Ooh)
When you're not with me? (You're not with me, oh baby, no)
Feel your smile through the phone (ohh yeah)
Make it so easy

Where you are? Tell me where
I'll go where you are
Say the word, I'll be there
Anywhere you are

I'm 'bout to leave (I'm 'bout to leave)
I gotta leave
Somebody wanna see me, I wanna see
I'll lick you like a Reese's, my Mona Lisa
Got me singin' like Bee Gees up in the sheets

Don't stop (don't stop)
Yeah, you got me
Don't stop (don't stop)
Yeah, you got me
Don't stop
Yeah, you got me

Placebo
Placebo

Ooh, I love it when you dance on me
Crop top, diamond in your belly (that's that shit)
Lamborghini, slide with me
Spendin' all your time with me

Where you are? Tell me where
I'll go where you are
Say the word, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Anywhere you are

Do it the way you want it, any way that you want it
I'm dyin' to see you ridin' with me
Do it the way you want it, any way that you want it
I'm dyin' to see (yeah) you ridin' with me (yeah)

Baby, you reminiscin' to the ribbons in the clouds
That Stevie was singin' 'bout, 'cause I never seen a smile
No lie, no lie, I'm talkin' 'bout angels that get high
And you know that they can't fly off with one wing
See that little sparkle in her eye? That's placebo (placebo)
I can make the Crown Royal go down, that's that RICO
The lesser of two evils, baby, I rather love you than leave you
'Cause I ain't comin' back, this the sequel

Don't stop
Yeah, you got me (you got me, baby)
Don't stop (what you talkin' 'bout?)
Yeah, you got me (what you talkin' 'bout? What you talkin' 'bout?)
Don't stop (don't stop)
Yeah, you got me (yeah, you got me) (we don't stop)

Placebo (ha)
Placebo (yeah)
Yeah, hit that b-

Yeah, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh
Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh (yeah, you got me, babe)

Do it the way you want it
I'm dyin' to see you ridin' with me
Do it the way you want it (ha, the way you want it)
I'm dyin' to see you ridin' with me (yeah)
Do it the way you want it





You got me, baby (do it the way you)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Placebo" by Nine Inch Nails (NIN) and Johnathan Allen (JA) delve into themes of longing, desire, and addiction. The song explores a toxic relationship where one person craves the presence of the other, even if it means sacrificing their well-being. It captures the sensations and emotions experienced when under the influence of someone or something that has the power to control and manipulate.


The opening lines of the song, "Are you so merciful when you're not with me? / Feel your smile through the phone, make it so easy," suggest a sense of dependence on the other person. The singer relies on the other's attention to feel fulfilled. The mention of feeling the other's smile through the phone implies a strong emotional connection, even when physically apart.


The chorus expresses a willingness to go wherever the other person is, emphasizing their dedication and willingness to meet their desires. "Where you are? Tell me where / I'll go where you are / Say the word, I'll be there / Anywhere you are," reveals a deep longing to be with the person, no matter the distance or challenges involved.


The lyrics then take a more explicit turn, alluding to sexual intimacy and the addiction-like nature of the relationship. The lines "I'll lick you like a Reese's, my Mona Lisa / Got me singin' like Bee Gees up in the sheets" reveal a passionate and lustful connection. The comparison foreshadows the singer's willingness to indulge in their partner's desires, likening themselves to a masterpiece and expressing the transformative nature of their physical connection.


The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the idea of the other person's power over the singer. The repetition of "Don't stop, yeah, you got me" highlights the addict-like surrender to the relationship. It suggests that the other person has a control over the singer's emotions and actions.


The bridge brings a shift in perspective, reflecting on the singer's realization of the destructive nature of the relationship. The lyrics mention reminiscing about "ribbons in the clouds" and referencing Stevie Wonder's song, implying a nostalgic appreciation for happier times. However, the singer acknowledges that the relationship lacks genuine happiness, and their smile is merely a facade. The mention of "angels that get high" suggests the temporary escape that the relationship provides but also alludes to the fact that it cannot last. The line "That little sparkle in her eye? That's placebo" refers to the deceptive nature of the relationship, where there may appear to be happiness, but it is ultimately false.


The ending of the song returns to the chorus and emphasizes the destructive nature of the relationship. The repetition of "Don't stop, yeah, you got me" contrasts with the earlier longing and desire, now conveying a sense of entrapment. The repetition reinforces the cycle of addiction and dependency that the singer finds themselves in.


In summary, "Placebo" explores the themes of addiction, destructive relationships, and longing. It portrays a relationship where one person is dependent on the other, surrendering their own well-being for the sake of being with them. The lyrics depict the complex emotions, the physical and emotional connection, and the realization of the destructive nature of the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you so merciful (Ooh)
Are you so compassionate and understanding when you're not physically present with me?


When you're not with me? (You're not with me, oh baby, no)
When you're not by my side, not physically present, it feels like something is missing, oh baby.


Feel your smile through the phone (ohh yeah)
I can sense your happiness and joy just by hearing your smile through the phone.


Make it so easy
You make everything effortless and simple.


Where you are? Tell me where
Tell me the exact location where you are right now.


I'll go where you are
I'm willing to go wherever you are to be with you.


Say the word, I'll be there
Just say the word and I'll immediately come to your side.


Anywhere you are
I'm ready to be with you no matter where you are.


I'm 'bout to leave (I'm 'bout to leave)
I'm on the verge of departing, getting ready to go.


I gotta leave
I have a pressing need to depart.


Somebody wanna see me, I wanna see
There's someone who desires to meet me, and I have the same desire.


I'll lick you like a Reese's, my Mona Lisa
I'll give you pleasure, channeling my passion like the way one enjoys a Reese's peanut butter cup. You're my masterpiece, my highly prized artwork.


Got me singin' like Bee Gees up in the sheets
You have me singing with joy, reminiscent of the harmonious tunes of the Bee Gees, especially in our intimate moments together.


Don't stop (don't stop)
Continue, don't halt or cease.


Yeah, you got me
You possess me, you have me completely.


Placebo
A thing or situation that gives a false sense of happiness or satisfaction.


Ooh, I love it when you dance on me
I absolutely adore and derive pleasure from your dancing when it's directed towards me.


Crop top, diamond in your belly (that's that shit)
You wear a stylish, short top that reveals your midriff, and there's a precious diamond embedded in your belly button. That's an impressive and attractive choice.


Lamborghini, slide with me
Let's ride together in a Lamborghini, enjoying the smooth and thrilling experience.


Spendin' all your time with me
You allocate the majority of your time to be in my presence, demonstrating your commitment and dedication to our relationship.


Do it the way you want it, any way that you want it
Engage in activities and actions according to your preferences, in any manner that you desire.


I'm dyin' to see you ridin' with me
I have an intense desire and longing to witness you accompanying me, being together in a shared experience.


Baby, you reminiscin' to the ribbons in the clouds
Darling, you're recalling and reflecting upon the beautiful and ethereal shapes formed by the clouds.


That Stevie was singin' 'bout, 'cause I never seen a smile
Just like the smile that Stevie Wonder sings about, because I have never witnessed such a radiant and genuine expression of joy.


No lie, no lie, I'm talkin' 'bout angels that get high
I'm not exaggerating or deceiving, I'm referring to pure beings who experience euphoria and bliss.


And you know that they can't fly off with one wing
You understand that these angels lack the ability to fly away with just one wing. They need both wings to soar.


See that little sparkle in her eye? That's placebo (placebo)
Observe that small glimmer of excitement and delight in her eye. It's a placebo, giving her a sense of happiness and contentment.


I can make the Crown Royal go down, that's that RICO
I have the ability to consume Crown Royal whiskey effortlessly, showing off my confidence and skills. It's a reference to the RICO Act, symbolizing my control and power.


The lesser of two evils, baby, I rather love you than leave you
Given the choice between two unfavorable options, my dear, I'd much rather choose to love you than abandon you.


'Cause I ain't comin' back, this the sequel
Because I have no intention of returning, this is the continuation or follow-up.


Yeah, hit that b-
Yeah, continue hitting that beat or rhythm.


Yeah, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm with a series of vocalizations.


Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, oh (yeah, you got me, babe)
Continued vocalizations accompanied by the affirmation that you have complete control or power over me, babe.


You got me, baby (do it the way you)
You have captured my heart and mind, baby. I am under your influence and control.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeffrey Bruce Atkins, Kyle Dion Branham

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Adam Turner

I would have to agree with this whole idea of the placebo effect because of heard of many studies done before on this. I think it is interesting the power our mind has on our bodies to affect a curtain trait or feeling just because a white or blue pill was ingested, that seems incredible to me once I actually think about it. But this also makes me sit back and think about, if our mind can trick our bodies into feeling an effect of a pill, wouldn't this be able to have the same effect on feeling better from a sickness, or healing part of the body? It seems to me that just by thinking something is better or maybe even getting it 'fake' fixed, we can convince our own bodies that it is actually better, until of course our bodies are tested and the weakness or pain is exposed. The point I'm trying to make is that if our minds are so powerful in the fact that a placebo effect can be absolutely true, why cant we in turn trick our bodies into healing themselves or feeling better, simply with thought? I guess its kind of a long shot but it just seemed interesting to me and how the health of our minds can greatly effect the health of the rest of our bodies, and the other way around.

Dean Atkinson

I have never seen this effect done with such clarity, meaning and realism. The build up with the knife and the call back to the fingers when he does the needle is brilliant. very professional presentation.

kiddhitta

i did this trick for a bunch of my friends and it went over very well. they were extremly amazed. it also helped that they were fairly intoxicated.

Chris Valade

Based on his presentation, and the amount of 'blood', I'm quite certain that he didn't actually pierce his skin. That said, the classic sideshow 'human pin cushion' doesn't (or at least doesn't need to) rely on any trick at all, I can and have done it myself multiple times (when younger I got fascinated by the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow and learned a number of such things). The secret is that there is MUCH LESS pain than most suspect: it's not much more than a light pinch (unless you go through muscle--that's a different thing altogether). Also, there is very little blood, most of the time there's only a few drops once you remove the needle, and it heals up quite quickly. I've done it through my cheek, lip (well, the area where if I kept it in it would be called a labret piercing), skin on my arm, leg, chest. This, eating glass, laying/walking on a bed of nails, walking on coals, 'hammering' a nail into the nose (no hammering needed, you just slide it into your sinus cavity, there's no pain, just sneezing if you're not used to it), having a cinder block broken over your chest, etc. are all 'tricks' that work because of our ignorance and fear, but they aren't (necessarily) illusions.

... this really adds nothing of substance, but figured I'd share anyway =P

Mr. Hyde

Keith Otis Edwards
Thanks for keeping your ego at 100% you tool.

SoulEater Evans

^ The replier above me was not using their brain when they made that reply. If you actually bothered to read this comment properly, you'd realize that they said exactly what you said. The guy then brought in an anecdote that is related to skin piercing placebos. You chose to focus on the second part and assumed that that filled in the gaps perfectly on this person's opinion on the trick when it didn't at all.

Keith Otis Edwards

Thanx for keeping the record at 100%. I watch a lot of magic videos, and absolutely each and every time someone tries to explain the trick in a comment, they get it waaaaay wrong. You are no exception, and Mead does not actually stab himself.
When I was a kid, I bought this illusion for $12 from a catalogue. Every on-line magic shop sells it.
There's a certain type of person who is easily duped by magic tricks, even simple ones such as this, and they have a need to show how sophisticated they are by posting (or shouting) their wrong explanation. Of course, this has the opposite effect.
The people who actually know how the trick is done have no interest or need to show-off that they know, and the people who need to show that they know never have the correct answer.
Thanx for keeping the record at 100%.

Maria Lynn

Wow, okay! The placebo effect is a phenomenon that I can't quite seem to understand, but I get the point of this video. Placebos do great work for uncovering all sorts of pharmecudical breakthroughs. However, I question if they are ethical to use. The use of a placebo could very psychologically damaging to a patient, epspecially if they are given a placebo for a disease such as Huntington's or ALS, which are devastatingly incurable. There are certain practices in place in which patients may be aware that they have recieved a placebo and not an actual treatment, but they take on the study anyway in hopes of benefitting even in the slightest. But there are other practices in which neither the doctor nor the patient is aware of what is being administered (double-blind). This may all be in the name of science, or what have you, but I don't find that to be good enough reason or ethical for that matter. As I said, this can be emotionally scaring to a patient, and may even cause a patient to regress when they discover they have not actually been recieving anything that could help them. On the other hand, there IS some positivity that comes to the patient from the placebo effect, and some would argue that this constitutes a good enough reason to take on the research.

Zedmanest.

I'm fully agree with you. This is one of the best presentation I've seen !

Losty

Interesting fact (I hope): The placebo effect is the most documented phenomenon in medicine, because every time a new type of drug is tested on people, there's a control group that is administered a placebo, too.

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