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 song "I'm Tongue-Tied" by The Magnetic Fields portrays the feeling of being overwhelmed by love and desire for someone. The singer describes themselves as 'tongue-tied and useless'. These lyrics could imply that the singer is incapable of expressing their feelings to their love interest. The singer seems to be struggling with their words, and their emotions are taking over. This is evident in the lines "My heart pounds, I make sounds, my ears hum" and "You say things, the room swings, I feel faint". The singer is so affected by their beloved that it's causing them to lose control and become weak-kneed, brainless and speechless.


The words "I'm history" could imply that the singer is so swept away by the romantic moment that it feels like it will always be remembered. The repetition of the line "I'm tongue-tied and useless again" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's inability to communicate their feelings effectively. It's as though the singer keeps falling into the same state of tongue-tied speechlessness each time they're with the person they love.


Overall, the song portrays the overwhelming feelings of love and desire that can leave someone feeling helpless, even to the point of being speechless.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm tongue tied and useless
I am unable to speak coherently and am of no use


I'm weak-kneed and brainless
I am physically and mentally incapable


And then
Afterwards


I mumble some jumble
I speak nonsense


You kiss me
You express affection towards me


I'm history
I am overcome with emotion


My heart pounds
My heart beats rapidly


I make sounds
I produce noises


My ears hum
I hear a buzzing sound in my ears


My head pops
I become confused and overwhelmed


The shoe drops
The inevitable happens


I'm struck dumb
I become speechless


You say things
You speak


The room swings
Everything suddenly changes


I feel faint
I become lightheaded and weak


I've no doubt
I am certain


I'll black out
I will lose consciousness


Grand, love ain't
Love is not magnificent


I don't die
I do not perish


I say "hi"
I greet you


How clever
sarcastically acknowledging my wit


I turn blue
I am overwhelmed with emotion


I love you
I have strong feelings of affection towards you


Forever
For all eternity


I'm tongue-tied and useless again
I am once again unable to speak properly and am of no use


I'm tongue-tied
I am unable to speak coherently


And useless again
and once again, I am of no use




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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