Uneven & Brittle
Peter Murphy Lyrics

The lyrics to Peter Murphy's "Uneven & Brittle" paint a picture of a dysfunctional relationship that has left the singer feeling drained, disillusioned, and uncertain about the future. The opening lines suggest that the singer has experienced pain in the relationship ("you burn me like fire"), but has learned to avoid it by staying away. However, the next line reveals that the singer's apathy ("I'm unmatched as I'm lazy") is part of the problem, as it allows the partner to "spit" at them with impunity. The following line is perhaps the most telling: "I get crushed by my dreams that I clawed and begged for." This suggests that the relationship has taken a toll on the singer's self-esteem and aspirations, leaving them feeling defeated and deflated.

The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer realizing that they are their own worst enemy ("It's myself I deceive") and that their current state of discontent is largely self-inflicted. However, the lines "I got all I asked for/If I wait in deep sleep/There's nothing there to pray for" suggest a kind of fatalism or resignation. The singer seems to have given up on the possibility of finding fulfillment or meaning in their life, instead preferring to numb themselves to their circumstances.

The final verse is perhaps the most enigmatic, with its mention of a "spirit master" and a realization that "all mine was pretence." It's unclear who or what the "spirit master" represents, but it's possible that it's a reference to some kind of mystical or spiritual force that the singer once believed in but now sees as illusory. The line about pretense suggests that the singer has been living a lie, perhaps in their relationship or in their larger life trajectory. Overall, "Uneven & Brittle" is a haunting meditation on the pain of disappointed hopes and the difficulty of finding one's way out of despair.