Mastermind
Róisín Murphy Lyrics


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It all came down to that one night in question
Intentionally I believe my demise
Was my own stupid invention
With wide open eyes I said goodbye to the guys
And set sail for my destruction
I was functioning then as I'm functioning now
Way below my potential
Scared out of my mind
Going inside without too much hesitation
Rendered defenseless at the slightest hint of suggestion
I'm petrified and I'm fucked if I do and I'm fucked if I don't
Accept defeat and kiss the feet of oblivion
I've waited for too long for something wrong
Somewhat expectantly

And I told myself lies if I'm lying around
And it don't trickle down in the same direction
I was reckless to dissolve at your resolve
To make an object of attraction
But dissatisfaction pushed me over a cliff edge
And there will be no cold retraction
But I crossed the room with every knowledge of your cold
But I hope that I could make a spun without it catching up on

I hope
With your master plan
I'll be putty in your hands
You're the mastermind

Inevitably
I will float down river
It's a foregone conclusion
I will be delivered
Straight into your hands
For you to have your way
Easy come and go
Easily ever straight
It's too easy
Say it, say it
It's just like taking candy from a baby
I'm easy
Go on say it
Put my hand
Right into the mouth of danger

Baby I'm ready to give in to the night
It's in the liquid that we take to elevate
Are you coming to find me or waiting up till I'm dead?
The kindness kills, an act of will but we always fall in line
Don't hesitate to make you perjure what you say




There is no mastermind
There is no mastermind

Overall Meaning

In Róisín Murphy's song Mastermind, she portrays a character who is knowingly walking towards their own destruction. The lyrics reflect on how the character intentionally made choices that led to their downfall while being fully aware of the consequences. Murphy creates a sense of vulnerability and fear as the character is petrified and rendered defenseless at the slightest hint of suggestion. The singer is aware of their own potential and feels that they are underutilizing their abilities. They are dissatisfied with themselves, which ultimately pushes them over the edge.


The character is hoping to become putty in the mastermind's hands, ultimately crossing the room with the knowledge that they are walking straight into the cold embrace of someone who wants to take advantage of them. They are willing to accept defeat and fall straight into someone's hands without intervening or struggling against it, making it an easy task for the mastermind. There's a sense of apprehension as the singer is awaiting the inevitable, knowing that they will eventually face the mastermind's power. The lyrics suggest that the singer is ready to turn themselves over into their hands, anticipating being taken advantage of, even if it means destruction. However, the song concludes by stating that there is no mastermind, which feels like a hopeful note, implying that it's never too late to beat these negative emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

It all came down to that one night in question
The events that led to the present situation occurred on a particular night, and that is the only time worth examining.


Intentionally I believe my demise
I think I caused my own failure on purpose.


Was my own stupid invention
My failure was my own fault, and I can only blame myself.


With wide open eyes I said goodbye to the guys
I left with clear knowledge of what was to come and didn't care about it.


And set sail for my destruction
I deliberately headed toward failure.


I was functioning then as I'm functioning now
My behavior back then is no different from what I am doing now.


Way below my potential
I'm capable of doing better, but I'm not making an effort.


Scared out of my mind
I am extremely frightened.


Going inside without too much hesitation
Despite the fear, I am diving into the situation without much hesitation.


Rendered defenseless at the slightest hint of suggestion
I am easily persuaded and have no defenses against manipulation.


I'm petrified and I'm fucked if I do and I'm fucked if I don't
Either way, I'm doomed.


Accept defeat and kiss the feet of oblivion
I have already lost and am submitting to the inevitable.


I've waited for too long for something wrong
I've been expecting something bad to happen for a long time.


Somewhat expectantly
I knew that something bad was going to happen, but I wasn't sure what it would be.


And I told myself lies if I'm lying around
I am deceiving myself when I am doing nothing.


And it don't trickle down in the same direction
The consequences of my actions don't affect others in the same way that they affect me.


I was reckless to dissolve at your resolve
I made a mistake by letting your resolve affect me so much.


To make an object of attraction
I allowed myself to be the focus of your attention.


But dissatisfaction pushed me over a cliff edge
My discontentment caused me to reach a breaking point.


And there will be no cold retraction
I cannot undo what I have done and taken responsibility for.


But I crossed the room with every knowledge of your cold
I acted deliberately despite being fully aware of your lack of warmth.


But I hope that I could make a spun without it catching up on
I hope that I can get away with something without being caught.


I hope
I want to believe that things will work out in my favor.


With your master plan
I am aware that you have a plan that involves me.


I'll be putty in your hands
I am easily manipulated and will do as you say.


You're the mastermind
You are in control of the situation.


Inevitably
It is unavoidable.


I will float down river
I will be carried along by the current of the situation.


It's a foregone conclusion
I already know what's going to happen, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.


I will be delivered
I will be handed over to you.


Straight into your hands
You will have complete control over me.


For you to have your way
You will do as you please with me.


Easy come and go
I am dispensable and of little importance.


Easily ever straight
I will always comply without putting up a fight.


It's too easy
It's too simple to manipulate me.


Say it, say it
Admit it, acknowledge the fact.


It's just like taking candy from a baby
It's effortless to get what you want from me.


I'm easy
I am easily manipulated.


Go on say it
Say it out loud, admit the truth.


Put my hand
Put me in a position.


Right into the mouth of danger
Put me in harm's way.


Baby I'm ready to give in to the night
I am willing to give in to the darkness and let go of control.


It's in the liquid that we take to elevate
We drink to get high and escape reality.


Are you coming to find me or waiting up till I'm dead?
Are you actively looking for me, or are you waiting for me to die?


The kindness kills, an act of will but we always fall in line
Acts of kindness may be harmful, and we often submit to the will of others.


Don't hesitate to make you perjure what you say
Don't hesitate to lie or commit perjury to get what you want.


There is no mastermind
No one is in control of this situation, and it is chaotic.




Contributed by Sophia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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