Perfume Genius is the alias of singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas. Born in Des … Read Full Bio ↴Perfume Genius is the alias of singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Mike moved to Seattle when he was 6. Growing up, Hadreas was the only openly gay student at his school, and he received death threats that were ignored by the school administration. He dropped out of high school during his senior year. Two years after dropping out, he was attacked by several young men in his neighborhood. He moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and worked as a doorman for a club in the East Village. In 2005, Hadreas returned home to Seattle and began recording music. In 2008, Hadreas set up a MySpace page under the name Perfume Genius, beginning his music career. The moniker comes from the genius perfume-maker in Tom Tykwer’s 2006 movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.

Mike has released six studio albums - 2010's Learning, 2012's Put Your Back N 2 It, 2014's Too Bright, 2017's No Shape, 2020's Set My Heart On Fire Immediately and his most recent, 2022's Ugly Season, all of which have received praise from music critics.

17
Perfume Genius Lyrics

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Take everything away
This gnarled, weird face
This ripe swollen shape
I want blank
I want frozen lake
I want deep space

Tuck the whole thing

In the body of a violin
String it up on a fence
Cover it with semen
I am done
I am done with it

Don't
Sing me that song
It

Will only prolong
This

Overall Meaning

Perfume Genius's song "17" is a deeply introspective and emotional piece that explores the desire to shed one's physical form and escape the confines of their body. The opening line "take everything away" suggests a desire to be rid of everything associated with the physical body, including its appearance and shape. The following lines "this gnarled, weird face, this ripe swollen shape" indicate the singer's dissatisfaction with their physical form, which they view as grotesque and unappealing. They then express a wish for complete emptiness and stillness in the lines "I want blank, I want frozen lake, I want deep space."

The second verse of the song is particularly powerful and disturbing, with the singer imagining their physical form being transformed into a violin and strung up on a fence, covered in semen. This image speaks to a deep desire to escape the limitations of the body and transcend into a realm of pure sound and energy. The final lines of the verse "I am done, I am done with it" suggest a sense of finality and closure, as if the singer has reached a breaking point and is ready to move on.

Overall, "17" is a haunting and deeply personal song that explores themes of body dysmorphia, self-acceptance, and the desire for transcendence. It is a powerful showcase of Perfume Genius's ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through his music.

Contributed by Mia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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