Plump
The Hole Lyrics
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Spittle on his bib
I don't do the dishes
I throw them in the crib
I've eaten you
I'm overfed
Your milk's in my mouth, it makes me sick
Failed to make it mine
They say I'm plump
But I throw up all the time
I've eaten you, I'm overfed
Your milk's in my mouth, it makes me fear
Do you fake it for me like I
Do you fake it for me like I
Do you fake it for me like I
My baby's in her arms
Crawling up her legs
Like a liar at a witch trial
You look good for your age
I've eaten you
I'm overfed
Your milk's in my mouth, it makes me sick
The lyrics of Hole's song Plump appear to be about a person who is struggling with their own self-image and their relationship with food. The opening lines describe someone who is perhaps suffering from a terminal illness and is nearing the end of their life. The mention of a death rattle suggests that the person is near death, and the use of the word "spittle" could refer to the signs of someone who is experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing.
The second set of lines suggests a possible link between this person's illness and their relationship with food. The singer of the song admits to not doing the dishes and instead throws them in the crib, perhaps a sign of depression or neglect. The lines that follow also suggest an unhealthy relationship with food, with the singer admitting to having eaten someone and being overfed. The mention of milk in the mouth could also suggest an infantile desire to be nourished, which could be linked to a desire for emotional comfort and nurturing.
The third and fourth sets of lines suggest a sense of failure and self-consciousness. The singer seems to be stumbling in life and not making progress towards their goals. The mention of being called "plump" suggests that the singer is overweight, but they claim to throw up all the time, which suggests that they may have an eating disorder such as bulimia. The repeated lines at the end of the song also suggest that the singer may be questioning whether others are being genuine with them, asking if they are faking it for them like the singer is perhaps faking their emotions or reactions.
Line by Line Meaning
He shakes his death rattle
He is old and terminally ill, his body is shaking due to weakness and impending death.
Spittle on his bib
His condition is so severe that he drools and requires a bib to wipe off saliva.
I don't do the dishes
The singer is avoiding household chores that they find distasteful.
I throw them in the crib
Instead of washing the dishes, the artist discards them in their child's crib.
I've eaten you
The artist consumes everything, including people, in a destructive manner.
I'm overfed
The singer indulges in excessive consumption, leading to gluttony and overeating.
Your milk's in my mouth, it makes me sick
The singer's obsession with consumption extends to breast milk, despite it making them unwell.
I've stumbled here
The artist is in a state of confusion and haze, unsure of how they ended up in their current situation.
Failed to make it mine
The artist has been unable to achieve or attain what they desire, despite their excessive consumption.
They say I'm plump
Despite being consumed by their own consumption, others identify the artist as overweight and unhealthy.
But I throw up all the time
The singer's overeating frequently leads to vomiting and purging.
Do you fake it for me like I
The artist questions the authenticity of the affection they receive from others, as they themselves are driven by destructive impulses and behavior.
My baby's in her arms
The singer has a child, who is held by the mother figure for safety.
Crawling up her legs
Despite the mother trying to protect the child, the singer's presence still affects the child in a negative way.
Like a liar at a witch trial
The singer is similar to someone on trial for witchcraft, in that they are accused of causing harm and are viewed with suspicion.
You look good for your age
The artist is attempting to deceive by presenting a facade of vitality and youthfulness despite deep-rooted issues.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric T Erlandson, Courtney M. Love
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind