I’m Tongue‐Tied
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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I'm tongue tied and useless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied and useless again
My heart pounds
I make sounds
My ears hum

My head pops
The shoe drops
I'm struck dumb

I'm tongue-tied and useless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again

You say things
The room swings
I feel faint

I've no doubt
I'll black out
Grand, love ain't

I don't die
I say "hi"
How clever

I turn blue
I love you
Forever

I'm tongue-tied and useless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again




I'm tongue-tied
And useless again

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields’ “I’m Tongue-Tied” captures the feeling of being infatuated with someone to the point of losing control of oneself. The singer describes feeling inadequate, tongue-tied, and useless in the presence of the object of their affection. They struggle with expressing themselves, murmuring “some jumble” when attempting to speak. Despite this, the singer finds themselves in a trance-like state when kissed by their love. The room seems to spin and their heart races as they feel faint. But even in their dazed state, they manage to express their love, saying “I love you forever” just before feeling useless once again.


The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is so in love that they are completely discombobulated. They can barely string together coherent sentences but feel electrified by their love interest. The song is a window into the overwhelming, yet beautiful, feeling of being in the first throes of love. It captures the intensity of emotions that love can evoke, and the awkwardness and vulnerability that often accompanies it.


Overall, “I’m Tongue-Tied” is a beautiful ode to the vulnerability and dumbstruckness of being head over heels in love. It’s a reminder that sometimes words fail us, but love can shine through all the same.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm tongue tied and useless
I am rendered speechless and helpless


I'm weak-kneed and brainless
I am physically unsteady and mentally incapacitated


And then I mumble some jumble You kiss me I'm history
In your presence, my ability to communicate disintegrates and I become overwhelmed by your affection


My heart pounds I make sounds My ears hum
My heart rate increases, I stutter and my ears ring


My head pops The shoe drops I'm struck dumb
My mind is overwhelmed, something unexpected happens and I am unable to speak


You say things The room swings I feel faint
Your words have an intense impact on me, the environment spins and I feel like I might pass out


I've no doubt I'll black out Grand, love ain't
I am certain I will lose consciousness, but this is not a grand or admirable expression of love


I don't die I say "hi" How clever
I am relieved that I do not actually die, but I am only able to speak a basic greeting


I turn blue I love you Forever
I feel so strongly about you that I am overcome with emotion and I declare my love for you permanently


I'm tongue-tied And useless again
Once more, I am unable to speak and I am powerless


I'm tongue-tied And useless again
Reiterating that I am incapacitated and unable to articulate my thoughts or feelings




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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