Originally, they were a death/grind band called Bacterial Cancer, then Bacterial Disease. They changed their name to Phlebotomized and their style around 1990.
They reunited in 2013 and Immense Intense Suspense & Skycontact has been reissued as a double album in 2014.
Imagine This
Phlebotomized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not as callous as you fantasize
If it's compassion, you are demanding
I've really given it, not before your eyes, please
Realize
Imagine me as a higher being
Imagine all the broken pieces I could mend
And eventhough I'm dreaming now
I'd love to give them a stroke
Or tell them a joke
But this was too real
I screamed up to the sky:
"Exchange theirs for mine!"
But this was all too real!
I tried to help someone out
On a beautiful, shiney day
A task so simple
Yet making my life all grey
'Cos that day I had become the worst of devils
And I wished that I was dead
I almost took two lives away
Of people... of people I'll never forget!
I know... no one deserves this
I know,.. I'm the one to blame
I know... I never meant to harm anybody
I know... I'll be living in shame!
The lyrics of Phlebotomized's song "Imagine This" explore the theme of guilt and the desire for redemption. The opening lines suggest a sense of distance between the singer and their parents, who may view them as callous. However, the singer seeks to assure them that they possess compassion, even if it hasn't been evident in their past behavior. The following lines express a desire to be seen as a "higher being" who can mend broken pieces. The singer acknowledges that they are dreaming, but assures that their love will be real and sent out to others.
The middle section of the song shifts towards a personal experience where the singer recounts a moment where they tried to help someone on a beautiful day, only to have it go awry. The language here suggests a feeling of overwhelming guilt, as the singer wishes they were dead and that they had never caused harm to anyone. The final lines reaffirm the singer's understanding of the gravity of their actions and how they will have to live with the shame of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear begetters, I'm understanding
I am empathetic to my parents and their actions
Not as callous as you fantasize
Contrary to your belief, I am not unfeeling
If it's compassion, you are demanding
If you ask for empathy
I've really given it, not before your eyes, please
I have given it, but not in a visible way
Realize
Understand
Imagine me as a higher being
Think of me as someone capable of greatness
Imagine all the broken pieces I could mend
Consider the potential I have in fixing things
And eventhough I'm dreaming now
Even though I have aspirations
Real is the love from me I'll send out to you...
True and sincere is the affection I have for you
I'd love to give them a stroke
I'd like to comfort them
Or tell them a joke
Or make them laugh
But this was too real
But the situation was too serious
I screamed up to the sky:
I yelled out in desperation
"Exchange theirs for mine!"
"Let their lives be spared instead of mine!"
But this was all too real!
But the situation was real, not imaginary
I tried to help someone out
I attempted to assist another person
On a beautiful, shiney day
On a pleasant and bright day
A task so simple
An easy undertaking
Yet making my life all grey
But it made my life miserable
'Cos that day I had become the worst of devils
Because on that day I acted cruelly
And I wished that I was dead
And I felt so guilty that I wished to die
I almost took two lives away
I nearly caused the deaths of two people
Of people... of people I'll never forget!
Of individuals I will always remember
I know... no one deserves this
I acknowledge that no one should experience what I caused
I know,.. I'm the one to blame
I know that I am responsible
I know... I never meant to harm anybody
I know that I did not intend to hurt anyone
I know... I'll be living in shame!
I know that I will carry the guilt and disgrace
Contributed by Emma L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.