Screw
The Cure Lyrics


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When you screw up your eyes
When you screw up your face
When you throw out your arms
And keep changing your shape

T-turn, turn, the taste in your mouth
T-turn, turn, the taste on your tongue
The film on your eyes of the way I've become

What do I do when you screw up your eyes?
What do I do when you screw up your face?
What do I do when you throw out your arms
Fall on the floor and keep changing your shape?
J-jump, jump right into your mouth?
J-jump, jump around on your tongue?

And the film on your eyes of the way I've become
Makes me sick at the way that I try
Anything in the world to impress that
I'm doing this only for you




This only for you
Only for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Cure's song "Screw" seem to be exploring a theme of self-doubt and the lengths we go to in order to impress others. The opening lines describe physical actions that can be interpreted as signs of frustration and confusion - "when you screw up your eyes, when you screw up your face, when you throw out your arms and keep changing your shape". It's as if the persona is trying to make sense of something but finding it difficult to do so.


The refrain "What do I do?" suggests a sense of helplessness and uncertainty. This is followed by more imagery of physical actions that could be construed as attempts to find some kind of release or escape - "Fall on the floor and keep changing your shape, jump right into your mouth, jump around on your tongue". The film on the eyes mentioned later in the lyrics could be a metaphor for how the persona is seen by others or how they see themselves. The fact that it "makes me sick at the way that I try/Anything in the world/To impress that I'm doing this/Only for you" reinforces the impression of a person who is struggling to maintain a façade of confidence or talent in order to please someone they care about.


Overall, the lyrics to "Screw" are somewhat cryptic but suggest a deep sense of uncertainty and anxiety. They also showcase Robert Smith's characteristic use of vivid imagery and poetic language.


Line by Line Meaning

When you screw up your eyes
When you refuse to see things clearly or in a positive manner.


When you screw up your face
When you react negatively or in a disapproving manner.


When you throw out your arms
When you act in a dramatic or exaggerated way to seek attention.


And keep changing your shape
When you alter yourself to fit other people's expectations or opinions.


Taste the taste in your mouth
Be aware of the regret or distaste resulting from your actions.


Taste the taste on your tongue
Experience the repercussions of your decisions.


On the film on your eyes of what I've become
Perceiving how the other person has changed because of your actions or choices.


What do I do when you screw up your eyes?
Unsure of how to react to the other person's pessimism or negativity.


What do I do when you screw up your face?
Uncertain of how to respond to the other person's disapproval or criticism.


What do I do
Seeking a way to improve the situation.


When you throw out your arms
When you act in a dramatic or exaggerated manner trying to capture the other's attention.


Fall on the floor
Reveals an act of desperation or loss of composure.


And keep changing your shape?
Indicating an inability or unwillingness to remain true to oneself.


Jump right into your mouth?
Succumbing to or becoming the victim of impulsive and excessive behavior.


Jump around on your tongue?
Becoming absorbed or caught up in the other person's whims, desires or expectations.


And the film on your eyes of the way I've become
Seeing how the other person has changed as a result of one's actions or behavior.


Makes me sick at the way that I try
Feeling disgusted or disappointed with oneself for trying too hard to impress the other person.


Anything in the world
Willing to do everything or anything for the other person.


To impress that I'm doing this
Wanting to gain favor or approval from the other person by any means necessary.


Only for you
Only for the sake of pleasing or impressing the other person.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert James Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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