For the popular band, featuring Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan, see: A Perfect Circle.
Pet
Perfect Circle Lyrics
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Step away from the window
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind what other voices say
They don't care about you
Like I do
Like I do
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See they don't give a fuck about you
Like I do
Just stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and all your demons
I'll be the one to protect you from
A will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and your choices son
One and the same I must isolate you
Isolate and save you from yourself
Swaying to the rhythm of the new world order and
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drum
The boogeymen are coming
The boogeymen are coming
Keep your head down go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Just stay with me
Hold you and protect you from the other ones
The evil ones
Don't love you son
Go back to sleep
The lyrics to Perfect Circle's "Pet" refer to a dystopian world in which people are controlled through fear and ignorance. The song's narrator speaks as a protector figure, reassuring a child to "lay your head down" and "go back to sleep" in order to avoid the harsh realities of the world outside. The use of the metaphor of "counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums" suggests that the government or other ruling powers are engaging in violence and war, and that the people are being sold a false narrative to control them. The repeated directive to "pay no mind to the rabble" reinforces this idea; the singer suggests that other voices and opinions should not be trusted.
Throughout the song, the singer positions themselves as a protector and savior figure, promising to shield the child from the dangers of the world. However, there is a dark undercurrent to this promise; the singer acknowledges that they must "isolate you/Isolate and save you from yourself." This suggests that the child is not just being protected from external dangers, but is also being brainwashed and controlled by the singer.
The song's final lines are particularly sinister, as the singer urges the child to "stay with me/Safe and ignorant/Just stay with me/Hold you and protect you from the other ones/The evil ones/Don't love you son/Go back to sleep." The use of the phrase "safe and ignorant" suggests that the child is being deliberately kept in the dark about the truth, while the idea of protecting the child from those who "don't love you" suggests that the singer is the only one who truly cares about the child's well-being. However, the implication is that the singer's protection is merely another form of control and manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't fret precious I'm heree
I'm here for you, don't worry or be anxious
Step away from the window
Don't look outside or worry about the outside world
Go back to sleep
Rest and don't worry about anything
Lay your head down child
Relax and sleep, rest your head
I won't let the boogeyman come
I'll protect you from fear or imaginary threats
Counting bodies like sheep
Distract yourself by counting in order to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Sleep and ignore the sounds of war, keep it out of your mind
Pay no mind to the rabble
Ignore the chaos or confusion around you
Head down, go to sleep
Rest and don't worry about anything else
Pay no mind what other voices say
Don't listen to what others say, trust me
They don't care about you
Others don't have your best interests at heart
Like I do
I care about you and will protect you
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
Stay protected from experiences that may hurt you, or force you to make difficult decisions
See they don't give a fuck about you
Others don't care about your well-being or happiness
Just stay with me
Stay close to me, don't go away
Safe and ignorant
Stay protected and unaware
I'll be the one to protect you from
I'll protect you from all threats and dangers
Your enemies and all your demons
I'll keep you safe from those who may wish to harm you, and your own internal demons
A will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll protect you from your own desires for self-preservation and rational thinking
Your enemies and your choices son
I'll guide and protect you from the choices and decisions you make
One and the same I must isolate you
I need to keep you separate and apart from anything or anyone that may harm you
Isolate and save you from yourself
I'll separate you from your own negative thoughts or tendencies
Swaying to the rhythm of the new world order and
People are blindly following new societal norms
The boogeymen are coming
There are real threats out there
Keep your head down go to sleep
Stay away from the dangers and sleep
Hold you and protect you from the other ones
I'll keep you safe from those who wish to harm you
The evil ones
The ones who are dangerous and wish to harm you
Don't love you son
Those who wish to harm you don't care about you
Go back to sleep
Go to sleep and trust in my protection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY HOWERDEL, MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind