Confused
The Residents Lyrics


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I was standing at the fireplace thinking of my own desire which seemed to
offer me no place to go, when I heard a little giggle, sounding like some
silly piglets playing in the mud so deep and warm. So I went and looked
around and from the bathroom door I found some sounds that had not come
from where before. So I shouted, "Come on out," and soon I saw them both
look out expressing fear and innocence at once. They said that they wee
having fun with something that they found someone had left behind a
basket on the floor.
"Let me see," and so I took it with a snatch that left a crooked smile
across the corner of my mouth. It was a smooth and shiny object with a
purpose and a job I recognized and was familiar with. Looking up I saw one
pair of eyes that somehow now were staring straight into the secrets of my
min. I knew at once it was the she thng, to the they and the he thing
looking back at me and my desire.
Inflamed I reached and pulled her close, but then at once I had them both
off balance and we fell upon the floor into a pile of awkard bodies, with
arms and legs and elbows caught beneath, around and in between us all.
Hastily I helped them up and said that we should soon discuss and try to




understand what they had found. BUt it was too late to do it now, but if I
tell the truth, I was confused by what I felt inside.

Overall Meaning

The Residents's song Confused contains lyrics that are as enigmatic as the band itself. The song is a surreal slice of avant-garde that seems to reference something sexual or perhaps more abstract, considering The Resident's fondness for subverting the listener's expectations. The song expresses the singer's desire and confusion as he stumbles upon a sexual encounter between two others in a bathroom. The singer's initial discovery elicits a response that can be construed as joyous or perhaps more sinister, as he takes the object of their play for himself. The object is never explicitly explained, but the singer recognizes its purpose and job, which adds to the overall ambiguity of the song.


As the singer pulls the woman towards him in a burst of passion during their encounter, he tumbles to the floor with the other two individuals present. The confusion he feels towards the whole situation is apparent in the lyrics, " But it was too late to do it now, but if I tell the truth, I was confused by what I felt inside." It is unclear if the confusion is related to his own desires or what he witnessed with the other two individuals. The intuitive imagery and disorienting lyrics lead to more questions than answers, which is characteristic of The Resident's style.


Line by Line Meaning

I was standing at the fireplace thinking of my own desire which seemed to offer me no place to go
I was deeply contemplating my desires but felt lost and directionless


when I heard a little giggle, sounding like some silly piglets playing in the mud so deep and warm
I heard a playful sound that reminded me of carefree, innocent play in a warm and cozy setting


So I went and looked around and from the bathroom door I found some sounds that had not come from where before
I investigated the source of the sounds and found that they were coming from an unexpected place


So I shouted, 'Come on out,' and soon I saw them both look out expressing fear and innocence at once
I called out to them and they emerged, appearing both afraid and innocent


They said that they were having fun with something that they found someone had left behind a basket on the floor
They explained that they found something in a basket and were having fun with it


'Let me see,' and so I took it with a snatch that left a crooked smile across the corner of my mouth
I eagerly took the object from them, feeling mischievous and slightly amused


It was a smooth and shiny object with a purpose and a job I recognized and was familiar with
I recognized the object as something functional and familiar to me


Looking up I saw one pair of eyes that somehow now were staring straight into the secrets of my mind
I noticed that one of them was staring intently and seemed to know my inner thoughts and desires


I knew at once it was the she thing, to the they and the he thing looking back at me and my desire
I realized that the object and their gaze were all tied to my desire and feelings


Inflamed I reached and pulled her close, but then at once I had them both off balance and we fell upon the floor into a pile of awkward bodies, with arms and legs and elbows caught beneath, around and in between us all
Overwhelmed by my passion, I pulled one of them close, causing all three of us to tumble into a chaotic heap


Hastily I helped them up and said that we should soon discuss and try to understand what they had found
I quickly helped them up and suggested that we talk about what they had found and its significance


But it was too late to do it now, but if I tell the truth, I was confused by what I felt inside
Despite my intentions to discuss it later, I was already grappling with confusion about my own emotions and desires




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Comments from YouTube:

Andreas Breitenreiter

I was standing at the fireplace thinking of my own desire which seemed to
offer me no place to go, when I heard a little giggle, sounding like some
silly piglets playing in the mud so deep and warm. So I went and looked
around and from the bathroom door I found some sounds that had not come
from where before. So I shouted, "Come on out, " and soon I saw them both
look out expressing fear and innocence at once. They said that they wee
having fun with something that they found someone had left behind a
basket on the floor.
"Let me see, " and so I took it with a snatch that left a crooked smile
across the corner of my mouth. It was a smooth and shiny object with a
purpose and a job I recognized and was familiar with. Looking up I saw one
pair of eyes that somehow now were staring straight into the secrets of my
min. I knew at once it was the she thng, to the they and the he thing
looking back at me and my desire.
Inflamed I reached and pulled her close, but then at once I had them both
off balance and we fell upon the floor into a pile of awkard bodies, with
arms and legs and elbows caught beneath, around and in between us all.
Hastily I helped them up and said that we should soon discuss and try to
understand what they had found. BUt it was too late to do it now, but if I
tell the truth, I was confused by what I felt inside.

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