1… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists performing under the name "The Mammals"
1) The Manimals are a Rock group from Raleigh, North Carolina. They enjoy playing music and drinking beer.
Members: Nolan Bishal, Paul Northrup, Taylor Turner
2) The Manimals are a female-fronted, gender and genre-bending five-piece from New York City.
Members: Haley Bowery, Michael Jayne, Chris "The Bear" Sayre, Jack "The Dick" Breslin and Trevor James Walker.
Talk
The Manimals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hero that you wanted all along
A giant's shadow looming up the wall
But smaller now than I ever was
Oh my kindness is a lie
Wicked tongue and wicked eyes
She was shy and I was just a boy
The hollow ring of silver on the floor
Bought your company, but not your love
Here we are, my mercenary friends
We can drink and talk and play pretend
All the words that hurt you
Wear them now like armor
They will never harm or burden you again
I won't fight like a lion of the rock
But damn it if I don't give good talk
Talk, talk, talk
A cliché of a broken thing
A ruin filling up on wine and skin
Leave this city, go across the sea
Forget the ashes of my family
We are all still puppets on their strings
Truth an ever-buried, bitter thing
Talk, talk, talk
These lyrics explore themes of identity, deception, and the power of words. The first verse suggests that in certain situations, the singer can become anyone people desire them to be, even the hero they've been longing for. However, despite appearing larger than life, the singer acknowledges feeling smaller than ever before. This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between the singer's outward projection and their internal insecurities.
The chorus reveals the singer's true nature contradicts their kind facade. They describe themselves as having a wicked tongue and wicked eyes, suggesting that their kindness is disingenuous. The mention of a shy girl from the past raises questions about the singer's past relationships and the impact they may have had. The singer wonders where this girl might have gone, perhaps indicating some regret or longing for a connection that was lost.
The second verse introduces the concept of material possessions ("the hollow ring of silver on the floor") as a means to buy companionship, but not love. The singer refers to their companions as "mercenary friends," emphasizing the superficial nature of these relationships. They can engage in activities like drinking, talking, and pretending together, but the underlying emptiness remains.
The bridge of the song suggests that the singer's words have been used as weapons, causing harm to others. However, they now encourage the listener to wear the hurtful words like armor, allowing them to become immune to their effects. The singer implies a shift in their behavior, expressing a willingness to engage in verbal battles ("give good talk"), without resorting to physical confrontation like a lion. The repetition of the phrase "talk, talk, talk" emphasizes the power of words and the singer's newfound confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.
The final lines reflect a desire to escape from a broken reality. The singer longs to leave the city and its painful memories behind, seeking solace across the sea. The mention of "truth an ever-buried, bitter thing" speaks to the singer's understanding that honesty can be elusive and painful. Overall, the lyrics of "Talk" create a complex portrait of a character grappling with their true self, the masks they wear, and the impact of their words on others.
Line by Line Meaning
In this light, I could be anyone
Under these circumstances, I have the ability to assume any identity
The hero that you wanted all along
The savior you desired from the very beginning
A giant's shadow looming up the wall
The imposing presence of someone significant
But smaller now than I ever was
However, I am now diminished from my former self
Oh my kindness is a lie
My display of benevolence is deceitful
Wicked tongue and wicked eyes
Utterances and gazes filled with malevolence
She was shy and I was just a boy
She possessed timidity while I was still immature
I wonder where a girl like that would go
I ponder about the whereabouts of such a girl
The hollow ring of silver on the floor
The sound of a metal circle devoid of substance hitting the ground
Bought your company, but not your love
Acquired your companionship, but not your affection
Here we are, my mercenary friends
Presently, we stand together, my friends who are motivated solely by personal gain
We can drink and talk and play pretend
We have the capability to indulge in beverages, conversation, and feigning
All the words that hurt you
Every statement that caused you pain
Wear them now like armor
Now, embrace them as a means of protection
They will never harm or burden you again
They shall never inflict harm or weigh you down anew
I won't fight like a lion of the rock
I shall not engage in combat akin to a mighty predator of the mountains
But damn it if I don't give good talk
Nevertheless, I undoubtedly possess exceptional conversational skills
A cliché of a broken thing
An overused portrayal of something damaged
A ruin filling up on wine and skin
A decaying structure indulging in alcohol and physical encounters
Leave this city, go across the sea
Depart from this urban area and journey overseas
Forget the ashes of my family
Disregard the remnants of my kin reduced to dust
We are all still puppets on their strings
We are all manipulated individuals subject to external control
Truth an ever-buried, bitter thing
Truth is a perpetually concealed and unpleasant reality
Talk, talk, talk
Engage in continuous conversation
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: The Manimals
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Micaela Gonzalez
Tyrion!