Good Neck
Speedy Ortiz Lyrics

In "Good Neck" by Speedy Ortiz, there's a sense of uncertainty and danger lurking in the air. From the very beginning of the lyrics, it's emphasized that the relationship is new, which provides an element of unpredictability. But the following line shifts the focus onto the danger aspect, saying "watch your back." This line implies someone or something posing a threat to the singer, and the following line only confirms this suspicion. The "baby" the singer is referring to is someone who is skilled with a blade, which can be taken literally, meaning they're good with a knife, or it can be taken more broadly as someone who's clever and able to defend themselves. Either way, the point is that this relationship is not one to be trifled with, and that the singer is fully aware of what they're dealing with.

There are other subtle hints of danger throughout the rest of the song too. For instance, the chorus talks about how the singer is always "looking for ways to hurt myself," which could be seen as them being self-destructive, but it could also hint at the idea that there's more lurking beneath the surface of the song's apparent toxicity. The second verse seems to reinforce this idea, saying "You sleep but you never dream, you just project and I'll receive." This line implies that the other person is not really engaging with the relationship in a meaningful way and that they're projecting their own ideas and insecurities onto the singer. This creates an uneven power dynamic where the singer must be constantly on guard and looking out for themselves.