Almost a year after the song’s release, Bridgers reflects on how fans have connected to the song’s pathos during an interview:
"My song “Killer” is entirely about toxic energy and toxic feelings, and I don’t think I’ve gotten bad [reception] from it, ever. People who come up to me and understand that [song], it isn’t like, ‘my toxic energy is affirmed!’ It’s like, ‘oh my god, I hate feeling controlling.’"
The song’s version featured on "Stranger in the Alps" is a reworked version of the original acoustic version of the song from Bridgers’ 2015 debut EP record "Killer".
In December 2018, Bridgers released the music video for the song which was filmed in Joshua Tree, CA.
In December 2017, During Phoebe Bridgers' NPR Tiny Desk Concert, she introduced the song stating:
"This song is about murder."
KILLER
Phoebe Bridgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scared you in your house
I even scared myself by talking
About Dahmer on your couch
But I can't sleep next to a body
Even harmless in death
Plus I'm pretty sure I'd miss you
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
Is there nothing left to do for us?
I am sick of the chase
But I'm hungry for blood
And there's nothing I can do
But when I'm sick and tired
And when my mind is barely there
When a machine keeps me alive
And I'm losing all my hair
I hope you kiss my rotten head
And pull the plug
Know that I've burned every playlist
And I've given all my love
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
I know there's something waiting for us
I am sick of the chase
But I'm stupid in love
And there's nothing I can do
And there's nothing I can do
The lyrics of Killer, a song by Phoebe Bridgers, explore the theme of self-awareness and the fear of oneself. The opening lines of the song express the fear of the singer of being a killer, which is a metaphor for the darkness that lies within her. She has scared the person she loves and even scared herself by discussing Dahmer, a notorious serial killer, in front of her lover. The fear of her own dark side is so overwhelming that she cannot even sleep next to a dead body, even if it is harmless. This fear is compounded by the love she feels for her lover, which is indicated by her faking sleep to count their breath.
The chorus of the song asks if the killer within her can tame the fire in her lover. The fire in her lover is a metaphor for their passion and intensity, which she wants to share, but her fear of hurting them holds her back. She expresses frustration with the chase and her hunger for blood, which are metaphors for her relentless pursuit of love, no matter how destructive it might be. The final lines of the song convey a sense of hopelessness and acceptance of her fate, no matter how much she loves her partner.
Overall, the lyrics of Killer are an honest and introspective exploration of the darker aspects of love and relationships, and the fear of oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I think I'm a killer
I have moments when I feel like I have caused harm or could harm someone.
Scared you in your house
My erratic behavior has made you frightened in your own home.
I even scared myself by talking about Dahmer on your couch
Even my own thoughts and conversation topics frighten me, and I realize they can be triggering to others.
But I can't sleep next to a body, even harmless in death
Being close to death, even if it's natural, makes me nervous and uncomfortable.
Plus I'm pretty sure I'd miss you and faking sleep to count your breath
I am attached to you and your presence to the extent where I count your breaths as I pretend to be asleep, signaling how much you mean to me.
Can the killer in me tame the fire in you?
I am struggling to find balance between my inner turmoil and the passion I sense in you.
Is there nothing left to do for us?
I am unsure if there is anything that can be done to salvage our relationship.
I am sick of the chase
The effort it takes to maintain this relationship is overwhelming and exhausting.
But I'm hungry for blood
Despite my weariness, I am still driven by a deep desire for passion and intensity.
And there's nothing I can do
I feel powerless to change the difficult situation I am in.
But when I'm sick and tired
Even when I am at my lowest point and feeling worn down.
And when my mind is barely there
When my thoughts are scattered, and I am finding it hard to concentrate.
When a machine keeps me alive
If I am physically kept alive by medical equipment.
And I'm losing all my hair
If my physical appearance and health begin to decline.
I hope you kiss my rotten head and pull the plug
At the end of my life, I hope you will be there to show affection and care as I pass, putting me out of my suffering.
Know that I've burned every playlist and I've given all my love
I have put all my effort into this relationship, trying to make it work with everything I have. My music and creativity reflect this.
I know there's something waiting for us
Despite the difficulties, I have faith that there is something more for us beyond this challenging moment.
I am stupid in love
Even though I know this relationship is hard, my deep love for you makes me stay devoted.
And there's nothing I can do
Despite the difficulties of our relationship, I am still compelled to try and make it work, even if it feels like I am powerless to do so.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Phoebe Lucille Bridgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ozan6562
Sometimes I think I'm a killer
Scared you in your house
Even scared myself by talking
About Dahmer on your couch
But I can't sleep next to a body
Even harmless in death
Plus I'm pretty sure I'd miss you
And faking sleep to count your breath
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
Is there nothing left to do for us?
I am sick of the chase
But I'm hungry for blood
And there's nothing I can do
But when I'm sick and tired
When my mind is barely there
When a machine keeps me alive
And I'm losing all my hair
I hope you kiss my rotten head
And pull the plug
Know that I've burned every playlist
And given all my love
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
I know there's something waiting for us
I am sick of the chase
But I'm stupid in love
And there's nothing I can do
And there's nothing I can do
@antoniavergara6288
[Verse 1]
Sometimes I think I'm a killer
Scared you in your house
Even scared myself by talking
About Dahmer on your couch
[Verse 2]
But I can't sleep next to a body
Even harmless in death
Plus I'm pretty sure I'd miss you
Faking sleep to count your breath
[Chorus 1]
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
Is there nothing left to do for us?
I am sick of the chase
But I'm hungry for blood
And there's nothing I can do
[Verse 3]
But when I'm sick and tired
When my mind is barely there
When a machine keeps me alive
And I'm losing all my hair
[Verse 4]
I hope you kiss my rotten head
And pull the plug
Know that I've burned every playlist
And given all my love
[Chorus 2]
Can the killer in me
Tame the fire in you?
I know there's something waiting for us
I am sick of the chase
But I'm stupid in love
And there's nothing I can do
And there's nothing I can do
@tessaviolet
I love this song so much
@okayokaynowkids7673
Hi
@yesitisolga3557
yeah
@paulheptinstall3838
Beautiful ❤️
@dirigibleplumm5797
Wow, and I love your music so much too!
@jg9253
YES TESSA
@allyross2069
"I'm sick of the chase, but I'm stupid in love, and there's nothing I can do." damn.
@deboraborges4372
"But I can't sleep next to a body, even harmless in death. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'd miss you, and faking sleep to count your breath." Argh, her mind.
@eleegee
I know some people think it’s meaningless to speculate about which music you would want played at your funeral, because when you’re dead, you’re dead. But I honestly, really want this song to be played at my funeral. It makes me feel things I can’t explain, all of Phoebe’s music does. It’s absolutely beautiful. The part where she sings about death always gets me. “I hope you kiss my rotten head and pull the plug, now that I’ve burned every playlist. I’ve given all my love.”
You’re absolutely amazing Phoebe.
@jasminebrown7855
I'm currently enrolled in a theology class at my university called Death and Dying and one of my assignments this week was to plan my funeral/memorial. I had to choose which one I preferred, whether I want a visitation, what I want done with my body, choose what hymns and/or music I want to be played, choose any scriptures I'd like to have read, and also state my reasoning for the hymns music and scriptures I selected. I also had to complete an assignment detailing my wishes were I to become mentally/physically incapable of caring for myself and if I were to become terminally ill. I had to choose who I'd give my power of attorney to, whether I wanted to remain in my home with full time caregivers, with a family member and supplemental caregivers, or in a nursing home. I had to decide whether or not I wanted hospice services, if I would elect to die with dignity via physician assisted suicide if I had 6 months or less to live, decide whether or not I wanted various treatments to keep me alive longer, and also I had to detail any other final wishes I may have. The final assignment for this week is to compose my own obituary which I am in the process of writing. It's quite an interesting class. I think a lot of people would be disturbed by the coursework but I am enjoying the class.