Twist and Crawl
The Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aren't you forgetting yourself
Nearly let your mask slip
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Emotion packed in every tear
Emotion mirrors your fears
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Walk into a nightclub
See you standing in there
Both your eyes are on me
Wonder what makes you care
Wonder what makes you stare
Walk into a nightclub
All your friends are in there
Is that really blonde hair?
Why dont you play fair,
You could be in Mayfair?
You broke my heart in several pieces
Not supposed to be that easy
Have to read the books again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
But you can't hurt me anymore
I haven't got a heart no more
No feelings get in my way
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Now you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Now you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Now I've made a new way
Now my mind is rearranged
Now I can't be sure again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
I can't tell the difference
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
I can have a new face
I can have a new body
I can have a new boy
I can have a new girl
I can have a new world
I can have a new face
I can have a new body
I can have a new boy
I can have a new girl
I can have a new world
I can have a twist and crawl
I can have a twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
The Beat's song Twist and Crawl is a complex and introspective track that explores the themes of identity, heartbreak, and the struggle to find oneself. The lyrics suggest a person who is afraid to show their true self and is willing to "twist and crawl" to fit in or hide their emotions. The opening lines, "Something shows in your face / Aren't you forgetting yourself / Nearly let your mask slip" suggest that the singer is trying to hide their true feelings, putting on a mask to fit in. The song suggests that the singer has been hurt before and has had to rebuild themselves, saying "You broke my heart in several pieces / Not supposed to be that easy / Have to read the books again."
The chorus of "Twist and crawl, twist and crawl" reinforces the theme of hiding and adapting to fit in. The verse "Now I've made a new way / Now my mind is rearranged" suggests that the singer has found a way to be true to themselves and move on from their past hurt. The song ends with the singer suggesting that they can have a new identity if they choose, that they can have "a new face," "a new body," "a new boy," "a new girl," "a new world," but the repetition of "twist and crawl" reminds the listener that sometimes hiding or twisting oneself can be a coping mechanism.
Line by Line Meaning
Something shows in your face
Your emotions are apparent in the expressions on your face
Aren't you forgetting yourself
You seem to be losing touch with who you really are
Nearly let your mask slip
You almost revealed your true emotions
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You are avoiding confronting your true feelings
Emotion packed in every tear
Your tears are a reflection of the strong emotions you are feeling
Emotion mirrors your fears
Your emotions are a manifestation of the fears you have
Smile and say hello dear
You are putting on a façade of happiness and normality, despite your true feelings
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You are causing me to feel emotionally unsteady and uncertain
Walk into a nightclub
I am in a social setting, surrounded by people
See you standing in there
I notice that you are present and standing nearby
Both your eyes are on me
You are paying close attention to me
Wonder what makes you care
I am uncertain as to why you are interested in me
All your friends are in there
You are surrounded by a group of familiar people
Is that really blonde hair?
I am questioning the authenticity of your appearance
Why dont you play fair, You could be in Mayfair?
I am accusing you of not being honest and implying that you are trying to deceive me
You broke my heart in several pieces
You caused me great emotional pain and disappointment
Not supposed to be that easy
The pain of heartbreak is not something that should be taken lightly or dismissed
Have to read the books again
I need to find understanding and solace through literature and education
I haven't got a heart no more
I have become emotionally distant and unfeeling
No feelings get in my way
I am no longer troubled by the emotional pain I once felt
Did you think that I'd return
You believed that I would come back to you
Emotions all I need to learn
I am still trying to gain a better understanding of my own emotions
Now you're gonna feel the same
You are now going to experience the same emotional pain that I once felt
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Love and pain are inextricably linked
Now I've made a new way
I have found a new path for myself
Now my mind is rearranged
I have gained a new perspective and experienced personal growth
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
I am questioning whether our happiness is genuine or merely a façade
I can't tell the difference
I am unsure if our emotions are authentic or not
I can have a twist and crawl
I am capable of experiencing emotional uncertainty and instability
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER CHARLERY, ANDREW COX, ANDY COX, EVERETT MORTON, DAVID STEELE, DAVID WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Supervisión EMSAD
Something shows in your face
Aren't you forgetting yourself
Merely let your mouth stand
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Emotion packed in every tear
Emotion mirrors your fears
Smile and say hello dear
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Walk into a nightclub
See you standing in there
Both your eyes are on me
Wonder what makes you care
Wonder what makes you stare
Walk into a nightclub
All your friends are in there
Is that really blond hair?
Why don't you play fair,
You could be in Mayfair?
You broke my heart in several pieces
Not supposed to be that easy
Have to read the books again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
But you can't hurt me anymore
I haven't got a heart no more
No feelings get in my way
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Some day you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love affair
Vice-a-versa love affair
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Some day you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love affair
Vice-a-versa love affair
Now I've made a new way
Now my mind is rearranged
Now I can't be sure again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
I can't tell the difference
Twist and crawl, twist
Mark Boyd
Is there any band more fun than The Beat?! They're a celebration of life and just a brilliant band!
jim higgins
Bought this album when I was a teenager, I'm 56 now and I still love it. My wife and I put it on and dance about the house, we both love ska and soul music, it never leaves you. Ska rules. RIP Rankin Roger.
Steve Smith
1966 baby here. Rude boys n Mods live on!
Wesley Harding
Killer bass line!!! Such a tune! My Dad bought me this album when I was about 12 and I played it to death. Still love it now. The Beat were one of the best bands of the late 70s/early 80s 2 Tone ska revival in my opinion. Still sounds great today.
CanzetYote
I remember my mom had an English Beat album that she played in her car all the time when I was little. Since then, I always loved this band. I'm 24 and grew up in the 90s, BTW.
Mike Beer
Has to be Whaappen (not sure on the spelling)
datinyone
i taught myself to play this tune on the flute, in high school in the 90s.. such a great song
Gav Mcadam
RIP Everett, the beat were a huge part of my childhood, my first love in terms of bands. I was heartbroken when they split up. This music blew my very young and naive mind, and still does. Love and unity.
Ladylovesrock1
They still make me twist and crawl after all these years!!!
ehead2222
one of the most underrated bands of all time ! the dogs bollox dont even come close to suming up just how good they was