Chemicals
Tenterhook Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We'll burn the photos
destroy the lies
you call me in a washed up disguise
oh, you're gonna feel it

no sound of conscience
so self control
that's the science if?
without it
i'm broken

not gonna play no more heels
im going in for one kill
i need to grab your wrist and
and heart

maybe it's the chemicals
the force that traps my lust
and if there is a remedy
in you i know I must
so if you're gonna say no
and I'm a force with no control
I'll break you down so slow
It's inevitable

Your youth is obvious
That much is clear
Running all around with no fear
Oh, you're gonna taste it

Not gonna play no more heels
I'm going in for one kill
I need to grab your wrist and
and hold

maybe it's the chemicals
the force that traps my lust
and if there is a remedy
in you i know I must
so if you're gonna say no
and I'm a force with no control
I'll break you down so slow
It's inevitable

I'm falling away
and if you're ready now
I'm falling away
and if you're ready now
I'm falling away
and if you're ready now
I'm falling away
I'm falling away
and if you're ready now
I'm falling away and if you're ready now go

maybe it's the chemicals
the force that traps my lust
and if there is a remedy
in you i know I must
so if you're gonna say no
and I'm a force with no control




I'll break you down so slow
It's inevitable

Overall Meaning

The song "Chemicals" by Tenterhook is about the uncontrollable force of lust and how it can consume a person. The first verse is about destroying the lies and burning the photos that belong to the object of the singer's desire. The chorus repeats the idea that the attraction is caused by chemicals and that there is no control over this force. The line "maybe it's the chemicals, the force that traps my lust" is particularly meaningful as it captures the idea that attraction and desire can be primal, beyond logic and reason.


The second verse is particularly interesting in its use of the word "broken" - this suggests that the attraction is not just overwhelming, but possibly even damaging to the singer. They are no longer in control of their own actions, they are "not gonna play no more heels" and they are "going in for one kill". This has a sense of impending doom to it, as if the inevitable end is that the singer will lose control and consume the object of their desire.


The final stanza has a sense of desperation, as the singer seems to be losing themselves to the force of lust. They can hold on no longer and are falling away - whether this is a physical falling away or a metaphorical one is unclear, but it emphasises the idea that the force of attraction is overwhelming and out of control. The chorus repeats, emphasising the ubiquity of the chemicals of desire, the force that traps the singer's lust.


Line by Line Meaning

We'll burn the photos
We will destroy any evidence of our past together


destroy the lies
We will also rid ourselves of any falsities that may have existed in our relationship


you call me in a washed up disguise
You contact me while pretending to be someone else or hiding your true intentions


oh, you're gonna feel it
You will experience the repercussions of your deceitful actions


no sound of conscience
You show no remorse or guilt for your behavior


so self control
You are completely in charge of your actions and desires


that's the science if?
That's the explanation behind your behavior?


without it
If you were to lose control,


i'm broken
You would become incapable of functioning properly


not gonna play no more heels
I will no longer pretend to be someone I'm not


im going in for one kill
I am determined to get what I want


i need to grab your wrist and and heart
I need to physically and emotionally have a hold on you


maybe it's the chemicals
Perhaps it's the chemistry between us


the force that traps my lust
It's the intense desire that I feel for you


and if there is a remedy
If there is a way to control it


in you i know I must
I must find it in you


so if you're gonna say no
If you refuse me


and I'm a force with no control
And I can't keep my desires in check


I'll break you down so slow
I will wear you down over time


It's inevitable
It's bound to happen


Your youth is obvious
It's clear that you are young and inexperienced


That much is clear
That fact is not in dispute


Running all around with no fear
You act without caution or thought for the consequences


Oh, you're gonna taste it
You will experience the outcome of your reckless behavior


I'm falling away
I'm losing my grip on this situation


and if you're ready now
If you are willing to give in to me


I'm falling away and if you're ready now go
I'm giving up on trying to control this situation and am leaving the decision to you




Contributed by Andrew Y. 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
Comments from YouTube:

@Sofarsounds

Had a chance to catch the first video from our collaborated show with The Crypt Sessions? Now is the time to watch this amazing live performance from Tenterhook - Tash, Sofar

@los_11

Wonderful :)!!!!!!

@Sofarsounds

missy93654 Glad you think so : )

@umidaadilova4945

Great song!

@Sofarsounds

Umida Adilova : )

More Versions