For the popular band, featuring Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan, see: A Perfect Circle.
Hollow
Perfect Circle Lyrics
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Sexual being
Run him like a blade
To and through the heart
No conscience
One Motive
Cater to the hollow
Fill me up again
Temporarily pacify this hungering
So grow
Libido throw
Dominoes of indiscretions down
Falling all around
In cycles
In circles
Constantly consuming
Conquer and devour
'Cause it's time to bring the fire down
Bridle all this indiscretion
Long enough to edify
And permanently fill this hollow
Screaming feed me here
Fill me up again
Temporarily pacifying
Feed me here
Fill me up again
Temporarily pacifying
The lyrics to Perfect Circle's song Hollow explore themes of desire and emptiness. The opening lines evoke a sense of urgency and passion, with the phrase "run desire run" suggesting an intense longing for something. The following lines describe the subject of this desire as a "sexual being," and the metaphor of running someone like a blade implies a sense of danger or risk associated with pursuing this desire. The lines "no conscience, one motive, cater to the hollow" suggest that this desire is all-consuming and perhaps even destructive.
In the chorus, the singer cries out to be filled up, temporarily satiating their hunger but ultimately leaving them feeling hollow once again. The phrase "libido throw" could be interpreted as a reference to impulsive or reckless sexual behavior, while the image of "dominoes of indiscretions" falling all around suggests a pattern of self-destructive behavior.
Later in the song, the singer acknowledges the need to "bridle all this indiscretion" and "edify" themselves in order to permanently fill the hollow within them. The repetition of the phrase "screaming feed me here, fill me up again, temporarily pacifying" reinforces the sense of desperation and temporary relief that the singer is experiencing.
Overall, the lyrics to Hollow paint a vivid picture of a person consumed by desire and struggling to fill an inner emptiness, while also acknowledging the need for self-reflection and growth in order to achieve lasting contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
Run desire run
The urge to fulfill our desires is strong and compelling
Sexual being
We are beings with biological urges and desires, including sexual ones
Run him like a blade
Use desire like a weapon to get what we want
To and through the heart
Desire can be both pleasurable and painful, and can affect our emotional center
No conscience
Desire may override our moral compass or judgment
One Motive
Desire can drive us towards a single-minded goal or purpose
Cater to the hollow
Desire can be a search for fulfillment or completion, but may ultimately leave us feeling empty
Screaming feed me here
We are desperate to fulfill our desires and be satisfied
Fill me up again
We are always seeking to satisfy our desires, but the satisfaction may be temporary
Temporarily pacify this hungering
We seek to calm our desires, but it is never a permanent solution
So grow
Desire perpetuates and continues to grow
Libido throw
Our sexual desires can be powerful and overwhelming
Dominoes of indiscretions down
One desire or urge can lead to a chain reaction of bad choices or behavior
Falling all around
The consequences of our desires and actions impacts everything around us
In cycles
Desire is a recurring process, and we may never break the cycle
In circles
Desire can be cyclical or repetitive, leading us in circles without a clear resolution
Constantly consuming
Desire can be all-encompassing and take up all our energy, attention, and resources
Conquer and devour
Desire can make us feel powerful and in control, but also destructive and all-consuming
'Cause it's time to bring the fire down
It's time to confront our desires and their consequences
Bridle all this indiscretion
We need to try to control our desires and impulses, to prevent causing harm to ourselves or others
Long enough to edify
Stopping ourselves from acting on our desires may allow us to learn more about ourselves
And permanently fill this hollow
Only a lasting solution to our sense of emptiness and unfulfilled desires will bring lasting fulfillment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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