Stand Atlantic gained prominence in the Australian music scene with the release of their demo EPs, Catalyst (2013) and A Place Apart (2015). The band signed with Rude Records in 2017 and released the single "Coffee at Midnight", which landed them positive reviews. They released an EP, Sidewinder, in September 2017. After signing with Hopeless Records in September 2018, the band released their debut album Skinny Dipping in October 2018. Their second album, Pink Elephant, was released on 7 August 2020. Their third album, F.E.A.R., was released on 6 May 2022.
Toothpick
Stand Atlantic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sting I wish would bleed
Like toothpicks sliding under fingernails
Don't you need a breath of air?
'Cause you're biting at my head
Like starving great whites feeding in the deep end
And I wish I was just as strong
As I make myself out to be
This doesn't burn 'em
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
With crime like a substance
I'm addicted to
Diving into the salt tides
I took you like a thief
A pinch that doesn't leave
It's like ice cubes grinding at your front teeth
And I miss you while you talk
It's a comforting sense of shock
Feels like silver caught inside a toaster
And I wish I was just as strong
As I make myself out to be
I'm twisting my words to appear like
This doesn't burn 'em
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
With crime like a substance
I'm addicted to
Diving into the salt tides
(Diving into the salt tides)
A fever that I'll never break
'Cause I keep pushing pills away
Just to see my body shake
Expensive red wine
I hate the taste
And how the slightest spoon will stain
I drink with you anyway
'Cause I know that I'm not
As strong as I make myself out to be
I'm twisting my words to appear like
This doesn't burn 'em
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
With crime like a substance
I'm addicted to
Diving into the salt tides
I'm twisting my words to appear like
This doesn't burn 'em
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
With crime like a substance
I'm addicted to
Diving into the salt tides
I wish I was just as strong
As I make myself out to be
The lyrics to "Toothpick" by Stand Atlantic explore themes of internal struggle, vulnerability, and the facade of strength. The first verse sets the scene of a painful and uncomfortable situation, comparing it to the sensation of toothpicks sliding under one's fingernails. The singer longs for a breath of fresh air, implying that they feel suffocated or overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil they are experiencing. The lines "And I wish I was just as strong, As I make myself out to be, I'm twisting my words to appear like, This doesn't burn 'em" reveal that the singer is trying to hide their pain and vulnerability, pretending to be stronger than they truly feel. They are putting on a front and using words to mask their true emotions.
The second verse delves further into the complicated dynamics of a relationship. The singer mentions missing the person they are with, despite feeling uncomfortable while they talk. The sense of shock and discomfort is compared to having silver caught inside a toaster, emphasizing the pain and unease they experience. The lines "And I miss you while you talk, It's a comforting sense of shock, Feels like silver caught inside a toaster" suggest a conflicting mix of emotions, where affection and discomfort intertwine.
The bridge of the song touches on the singer's struggle with their own weaknesses and addictions. They mention the fever they can't break, pushing away pills that could alleviate their pain. The references to expensive red wine and drinking despite hating the taste signify a self-destructive behavior, perhaps as a coping mechanism. The lines "Expensive red wine, I hate the taste, And how the slightest spoon will stain, I drink with you anyway" highlight their inability to fully confront their own vulnerabilities and dependence on toxic habits.
Overall, "Toothpick" paints a picture of someone who is grappling with their own internal battles while trying to preserve a facade of strength and resilience. They twist their words and hide their pain, but ultimately they long for a sense of authenticity and freedom from their emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish our skin would meet
I long for a deeper intimacy and connection with you
A sting I wish would bleed
I desire a raw and vulnerable emotional experience
Like toothpicks sliding under fingernails
It feels painful and uncomfortable, causing distress in my mind
Don't you need a breath of air?
Don't you crave some space and freedom from this suffocating situation?
'Cause you're biting at my head
Your words and actions are constantly attacking and overwhelming me
Like starving great whites feeding in the deep end
You devour and consume me relentlessly, without satisfaction or mercy
And I wish I was just as strong
I desire to possess inner strength and resilience
As I make myself out to be
But in reality, I often pretend to be stronger than I truly am
I'm twisting my words to appear like
I manipulate my language and communication to seem
This doesn't burn 'em
as if their hurtful actions and words don't affect me
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
I deliberately subject myself to painful experiences, like staring at the sun, causing emotional wounds
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
Our value and significance diminish as we intertwine our lives with lies and illusions
With crime like a substance
Deception and dishonesty become an addictive and harmful habit
I'm addicted to
I find myself unable to break free from this destructive pattern
Diving into the salt tides
I willingly immerse myself in the painful and turbulent emotions
I took you like a thief
I claimed you as mine, but it was a selfish act of possession
A pinch that doesn't leave
The hurt caused by my actions lingers and doesn't fade away easily
It's like ice cubes grinding at your front teeth
The discomfort and unease created by our relationship is similar to the sensation of ice cubes rubbing against your teeth
And I miss you while you talk
Even when you are present, I feel a sense of longing and loss
It's a comforting sense of shock
The feeling of being simultaneously soothed and jarred by your presence
Feels like silver caught inside a toaster
Our relationship is like a conflicting and potentially dangerous situation
A fever that I'll never break
I have an unbreakable attachment and obsession with you
'Cause I keep pushing pills away
Because I resist relying on temporary fixes or distractions to numb my emotions
Just to see my body shake
I prefer to experience the intense and uncontrollable physical reactions that come with confronting my true emotions
Expensive red wine
Symbolizes indulgence in something supposedly sophisticated or pleasurable
I hate the taste
Yet I despise the sensations and consequences of these indulgences
And how the slightest spoon will stain
Even the smallest actions or choices can leave lasting negative impressions or consequences
I drink with you anyway
Nevertheless, I choose to partake in these negative habits and experiences alongside you
'Cause I know that I'm not
Because deep down, I am aware that I am not as strong as I portray myself to be
As strong as I make myself out to be
I create a façade of strength and resilience that is not entirely genuine
I'm twisting my words to appear like
I manipulate my language and communication to give the illusion
This doesn't burn 'em
that the painful circumstances and emotions do not affect me
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
I deliberately subject myself to painful experiences, like staring at the sun, causing emotional wounds
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
Our value and significance diminish as we intertwine our lives with lies and illusions
With crime like a substance
Deception and dishonesty become an addictive and harmful habit
I'm addicted to
I find myself unable to break free from this destructive pattern
Diving into the salt tides
I willingly immerse myself in the painful and turbulent emotions
I'm twisting my words to appear like
I manipulate my language and communication to seem
This doesn't burn 'em
as if their hurtful actions and words do not affect me
Staring at the sun, papercuts are in my eyes
I deliberately subject myself to painful experiences, like staring at the sun, causing emotional wounds
Shrinking our worth, mixing fiction
Our value and significance diminish as we intertwine our lives with lies and illusions
With crime like a substance
Deception and dishonesty become an addictive and harmful habit
I'm addicted to
I find myself unable to break free from this destructive pattern
Diving into the salt tides
I willingly immerse myself in the painful and turbulent emotions
I wish I was just as strong
I desire to possess inner strength and resilience
As I make myself out to be
But in reality, I often pretend to be stronger than I truly am
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Bonnie Mary Fraser, Steve Wayne Knight
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
charcadny
Stand Atlantic needs to be more popular- they’re one of my favorite bands and I feel like I never see anyone talking about them
Theory
charcadny They are still relatively new. Give it time. I can see them exploding within the next 5 years.
PattyMayonnaise
I think its a good thing they aren't huge. Every good band seems to implode when they make it big. Or they go straight pop...
Steve Mark
charcadny they need to tour with some other Female bands like Halocene, Lost In Atlantis, Tonight Alive, Doll Skin, The Secret Destroyers, and Virsces
Lonnie Jones
@Steve Mark lost in Atlantis sounds like they'd be great just based off the band name
LetsCrashThisParade
Promising sign; I randomly found them cause a video was recommended to me. Then realised I know one of their songs from the radio! Seems they're getting closer to getting more widely known!
christina v
this band are gonna blow up this next few years, those of us who have been lucky enough to see them at intimate shows will be bragging about it very very soon.
JoshuaMinkus
Saw them at Crown and Anchor in South Aust 2 weeks ago, 200 people. Lucky enough to have my last night in London the night of their show there so i've got a ticket for that aswell.
Onchinchi Onii-Chan
1. My mom’s too cheap to let me go to concerts
2. I agree with you on the blow up part
Dallenger Cheap
You guys are going to blow up soon. Too freaking talented, even on a unplugged/acoustic song. Good shit!!