Hag
The Breeders Lyrics
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You dirty switch,
You're on again
All night, all night, all night
Under the stars
Under their light
Only looks bright
You're just like a woman
Hag
You're just like a woman
You're on again
But sometimes
Under the stars
Under their light
You're everything right
You're on again!
Under the stars
Under their light
All right
All right
The Breeders's song "Hag" is a moody and enigmatic piece that speaks to themes of gender, identity, and power. The lyrics themselves are cryptic, with a mix of insults and compliments directed towards the titular "hag". The repeated refrain of "You're just like a woman" adds an extra layer of complexity, suggesting that the singer is grappling with the complexity of femininity, perhaps even questioning their own relationship to it.
Despite the inscrutable nature of the lyrics, the song's instrumentation underscores its emotional intensity. The slow, deliberate guitar riff and Kim Deal's breathy vocals create an eerie, almost haunting atmosphere. The repeated use of the phrase "under the stars, under their light" also suggests a sense of longing or nostalgia for a lost or unattainable connection.
In interpreting "Hag", one could read it as a meditation on power dynamics in relationships. The singer seems to vacillate between feeling in control ("You dirty switch, you're on again") and feeling vulnerable ("You're just like a woman"), suggesting that these roles are fluid and constantly in flux. The use of such charged language as "cut-throat" and "hag" also speaks to a deeper animosity lurking beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Hag! Coastal cut-throat!
Addressing someone as an unpleasant and ruthless person living near the coast
You dirty switch,
Insulting someone by calling them a tricky, deceitful person
You're on again
Implying that the person has a habit of repeating their bad behavior
All night, all night, all night
Emphasizing the continuous, repetitive nature of the behavior
Under the stars
Describing the setting of the events
Under their light
Further elaborating on the peaceful, natural surroundings
All over the girl
Suggesting that the person is being inappropriate or aggressive towards a woman
Only looks bright
Implying that the person is only behaving in a positive way due to external factors
You're just like a woman
Using a sexist stereotype to insult the person's behavior
But sometimes
Acknowledging a rare, positive exception to the person's behavior
You're everything right
Praising the person's good behavior in certain circumstances
You're on again!
Returning to the negative behavior
All right, All right
Indicating that everything is acceptable, despite the negative behavior
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIM DEAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind