Not A Heel
Phosphorescent Lyrics

The lyrics of Phosphorescent's song "Not A Heel" are intriguing and thought-provoking. The song consists of a series of contradictory statements about the singer's identity, each beginning with the phrase, "I am not a...". The repeated use of this phrase creates an interesting effect, drawing the listener's attention to the various ways in which identity is constructed and performed.

The first line, "I am not a heel", can be interpreted in a couple of ways. On one level, it could be read as a simple statement of fact - the singer is not wearing a shoe with a raised heel. On another level, however, it could be understood as a denial of the stereotype of the villainous "heel" in professional wrestling or other forms of popular entertainment. The phrase "But I will turn turn turn" immediately complicates this interpretation, suggesting that the singer is capable of change or transformation.

The following lines continue to play with the idea of identity as a fluid and shifting concept. The statement "I am not a seal, but I been learned learned learned" perhaps hints at the idea that we are all creatures of habit, with certain patterns of behavior that we learn and repeat over time. The line "I am not a lamb, but I will sweep sweep sweep and curl and sleep all at your feet" suggests a desire to be submissive or obedient, while the line "I am not a room, I will cave cave cave" perhaps suggests a sense of vulnerability or a tendency to retreat in the face of difficulty.

The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "I am not a...but I am lost lost lost, become my place to lay the coals" adds another layer of complexity to the song's exploration of identity. The singer seems to be searching for a sense of belonging or connection, even as they deny the various labels and roles that might be offered to them.

Overall, "Not A Heel" is a fascinating meditation on the ways in which we construct and perform our identities in a constantly shifting world.