The band is best known for their 1996 hit "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand."
Years active:
1985–1991 (as I-Rails)
1991–1994 (O'Connor solo)
1996–present
Blood From a Beating Heart
Primitive Radio Gods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She won't shake hands with the devil
And when she's caught in the middle
She pulls away and it feels
[chorus]
Like a north wind breezin' your body again
Like a slow day makin' it's way in the dark
Rushing out like the blood from a beating heart
She holds the neck of the bottle
Her every thought is a riddle
You try to rise to the level
You sink back down and it feels
[chorus]
A strange and delicate creature
Who only lives if you love her
Invites you to swim in her river
And leaves you under the earth
[chorus]
Like a north wind
Like a slow say
To a mouth where the feelings start
Rushing out like the blood from a beating heart.
In Primitive Radio Gods' "Blood From a Beating Heart," the lyrics hint at a mysterious and elusive woman who is unwilling to conform to societal norms. The first verse suggests that she is not interested in doing the expected or traditional things that girls are supposed to do, such as digging holes with a shovel or making deals with the devil. This might be interpreted to mean that the woman in question is independent and perhaps a non-conformist.
The chorus is where the song's heart lies, and it depicts the profound and far-reaching effects that this woman has on the singer. The north wind and the slow day are images that evoke a sense of peace and solitude, which suggests that this woman brings profound peace and inner calm to the singer. In the same way, the image of blood rushing from a beating heart is a powerful metaphor for intense emotions and passionate feelings.
The second verse broadens the song's scope somewhat. The woman is no longer just a mysterious figure, but she has become someone that the singer wants to rise to the level of. However, it is clear that this is no easy task, as the woman's every thought is a riddle. The singer may struggle to understand her, but there is a clear sense that he is drawn to her, and that he wants to be with her despite the difficulties that she presents.
Overall, "Blood From a Beating Heart" is a deeply poetic and evocative song about the power of love and the profound effects that it can have on a person. It speaks to the way that love can bring a sense of peace and calmness, even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, and it suggests that sometimes the most intriguing and compelling people are those who are willing to defy convention and be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
She can't dig holes with a shovel
She may not have the physical ability to perform certain tasks, such as digging holes with a shovel.
She won't shake hands with the devil
She refuses to make deals or compromises with those who represent evil or negative forces.
And when she's caught in the middle
In situations where she is stuck and unable to take sides or make decisions, she reacts by pulling away and distancing herself.
She pulls away and it feels
Her instinctive reaction in such situations causes her to withdraw or distance herself from the situation, and the experience brings about certain emotions.
Like a north wind breezin' your body again
Similar to the sensation of a cold north wind blowing across your skin, this experience can be both refreshing and invigorating.
Like a slow day makin' it's way in the dark
Similar to a long, dreary day that drags on with no sign of relief, this experience can be slow and draining.
To a mouth where the feelings start
The onset of complex emotions beginning to surface can feel like a catalyst in one's mouth, which leads to the next line about the flow of blood from the heart.
Rushing out like the blood from a beating heart
In this moment of emotional intensity, the feelings rush out like the blood from a beating heart that can't be stopped or controlled.
She holds the neck of the bottle
Her grip on the neck of a bottle (perhaps of alcohol) suggests a struggle with substance abuse, which may be a coping mechanism for her emotional turmoil.
Her every thought is a riddle
Her thoughts are inscrutable and difficult to interpret, perhaps due to the complexity of her emotions or the secrecy she maintains about her situation.
You try to rise to the level
Others try to meet her at her level of emotional intensity or depth, but it proves difficult.
You sink back down and it feels
Despite trying to reach her level, they find themselves slipping back to their own level, which may be less intense or profound, leading to disappointment or frustration.
A strange and delicate creature
The singer describes her as elusive, mysterious, and fragile, suggesting that she requires a sensitive and delicate approach.
Who only lives if you love her
The implication is that this woman requires love and emotional intensity to truly live, and without it, she might as well be dead.
Invites you to swim in her river
She invites others to engage with her emotions and her inner world, which may be difficult and turbulent, but also potentially rewarding and profound.
And leaves you under the earth
The intense emotional experience she offers can leave you feeling overwhelmed or buried, as if you're being buried under the earth.
Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kieran Ng
You are a million bucks thanks for posting this have been looking for this song for very long