Her first solo album Mantaray was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. It includes the tracks the pop single "About to happen", the ballad "If it doesn't kill you" and the classic "They Follow you".
They Follow You
Siouxsie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scars leave their signs
Sewn up inside, sewn up in mind
They follow you, follow you
Swallowing pills
Intoning spells, all potions spill
Down the wishing well
It doesn't work anymore
They follow you to sorrow you
Sew up these eyes, stitch up this smile
Embroidered tears
Drown the wishing well
They follow you to sorrow you
It doesn't work anymore
They follow you, they follow you
Mix me a brew, an elixir to soothe
Mix me a brew, an elixir to soothe
A cure
Wounds heal in time
Scars leave their signs
Sewn up inside, sewn up in mind
They follow you to sorrow you
They follow you, follow you
A cure
"They Follow You" by Siouxsie is a haunting song that incorporates a variety of themes relating to emotions, healing, and trauma. The lyrics describe how wounds eventually heal but leave behind scars that can have a lasting impact on a person's psyche, causing them to feel haunted by the past. The imagery of being "sewn up inside, sewn up in mind" suggests that emotional scars can be just as difficult to heal as physical wounds. The repeated line "they follow you, follow you" refers to the ghosts of the past that continue to haunt a person, even after they have attempted to move on.
The second verse of the song takes things further, mentioning the various ways people attempt to heal themselves or escape from their emotional pain. The line "Swallowing pills, intoning spells, all potions spill, down the wishing well" suggests that people will try anything to alleviate their pain, including medicating themselves or turning to magic. However, the ghosts of the past can't be shaken so easily, and they continue to "follow you to sorrow you."
The chorus of the song repeats the notion that past wounds continue to haunt a person, even when they try to ignore them or escape. The line "It doesn't work anymore" suggests that the methods a person used to cope in the past are no longer effective, leaving them feeling helpless and overwhelmed. The final verse of the song describes the feeling of being trapped, with the imagery of "sewing up your eyes [and] stitching up your smile" painting a picture of a person who can no longer face the world.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a picture of a person who is haunted by their past and unable to break free from the ghosts that continue to follow them. The repeated line "they follow you, follow you" emphasizes the idea that these ghosts have a relentless hold on a person, no matter how hard they try to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Wounds heal in time
The physical and emotional wounds caused by past experiences will gradually heal with the passage of time.
Scars leave their signs
Even though the wounds will eventually heal, the scars left behind will always be a reminder of the past experiences.
Sewn up inside, sewn up in mind
The pain and trauma caused by past experiences may be hidden from others, but they are still present and affecting the person internally.
They follow you, follow you
The pain and trauma of the past experiences will continue to affect and haunt the person even in the present time.
Swallowing pills
The person tries to cope with the pain by taking medication.
Intoning spells, all potions spill
The person tries to cope with the pain through magical beliefs or practices, but they eventually fail.
Down the wishing well
The person's attempts to find relief or happiness through wishes or desires are futile.
They follow you to sorrow you
No matter what the person does to cope or move on, the pain and trauma will always follow and haunt them.
It doesn't work anymore
The person realizes that their coping mechanisms are no longer effective or helpful.
Sew up these eyes, stitch up this smile
The person tries to hide their pain and trauma from others by putting on a happy facade, but it's just a temporary fix.
Embroidered tears
The person's hidden pain and trauma are depicted through their tears and emotions.
Drown the wishing well
The person's attempts to find relief or happiness through wishes or desires are pointless and will only lead to more pain.
Mix me a brew, an elixir to soothe
The person desperately seeks a solution or cure to their pain and trauma.
A cure
The person longs for something that can truly heal and alleviate their pain and trauma.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM CHARLES CRABB, STEPHEN ANTHONY EVANS, STEPHEN CHARLES JONES, SUSAN JANET BALLION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind