Dot X
Speedy Ortiz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Caress cement 'til it's dry
Come clean your hands in the backseat before you're onto the next fiend

Don't ever touch my blade, you fool
You'll be cursed for a lifetime
Don't ever touch my blade, you fool
You'll be cursed for a lifetime
Don't ever touch my kid, you sick thing

Range utensil flaking in the wind
Wanna stand in place like a foil deer?
Isn't that the reason you came here?

Don't ever touch my ring, you fool
You'll be cursed for a lifetime
Don't ever touch my ring, you fool
You'll be cursed for a lifetime
Don't ever touch my kid, you sick thing

You know by now
With all these drops of blood it is love
Moonballing bureaucrats
With all this love, it is death
Get in the van and take my hand
We're onto the next life
Smothered and fond, not redolent
Scarred and it's timesome

Don't ever touch my kid
You fool, you fool
You fool, you fool




You'll be cursed
You'll be cursed

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Speedy Ortiz's song Dot X are intense and cryptic, filled with imagery that leaves much of its meaning up to interpretation. The first stanza seems to suggest a sense of urgency as the singer urges someone to hurry up and finish whatever they're doing before moving on to their next pursuit, cautioning them to wash their hands or face the consequences. The mention of a blade and cursedness adds a sense of danger to the situation.


The second stanza may be a commentary on the desire to be still and hidden, like a deer in the woods. The singer warns against touching their ring, which could lead to consequences just like with the blade. The phrase "don't ever touch my kid, you sick thing" is repeated throughout the song, implying a fierce protectiveness or ownership over something that is precious to the singer.


The last stanza is perhaps the most puzzling as it includes fragmented images and emotions set against a backdrop of death and violence. The reference to blood and love being intertwined is interesting, as is the mention of "moonballing bureaucrats." The repetition of "you fool" and "you'll be cursed" adds to the ominous tone of the song, as if the mysterious narrator is warning someone against crossing them.


Overall, Speedy Ortiz's Dot X is a powerful and intriguing song that resists easy interpretation. It's full of dark imagery and emotions, leaving listeners to wonder about the identities of the singer and the person or thing they're trying to protect.


Line by Line Meaning

Caress cement 'til it's dry
Smooth out the concrete until it sets


Come clean your hands in the backseat before you're onto the next fiend
Make sure your hands are clean before moving on to the next immoral act


Don't ever touch my blade, you fool
Do not touch my weapon or suffer the consequences


Don't ever touch my kid, you sick thing
Do not harm my child, you disgusting individual


Range utensil flaking in the wind
Metal tool deteriorating in the elements


Wanna stand in place like a foil deer?
Do you want to freeze in fear like a decoy animal?


Isn't that the reason you came here?
Did you come here to be paralyzed with fear?


You know by now With all these drops of blood it is love Moonballing bureaucrats
You should realize that these bloody actions signify love, while politicians constantly shift blame


With all this love, it is death
The love expressed through violence leads to death


Get in the van and take my hand We're onto the next life
Join me in the van, we are moving on to the next chapter of our lives


Smothered and fond, not redolent Scarred and it's timesome
Affectionate but not fragrant, bearing the wounds of past experiences and taking a long time to heal


Don't ever touch my ring, you fool You'll be cursed for a lifetime
Under no circumstances should you touch my ring, or it will result in a lifelong curse


Don't ever touch my kid You fool, you fool You fool, you fool You'll be cursed You'll be cursed
Refrain from harming my child, or suffer the consequences




Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions