The group takes its name from Shakespeare. In particular Hamlet's soliloquy To be, or not to be, where it refers to dying; "coil" is used in its archaic sense of "disturbance, trouble":
"What dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause."
Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1, line 67.
I Want To Live
This Mortal Coil Lyrics
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My lusty sentiments they made life seem true.
I'm rather selfish and I mean to be unkind.
You can't imagine what it does to me inside.
But where am I? I want to die.
I want to live. I want to die.
If I were someone I would like to be a fool.
I'd paint a picture of my life upon your wall.
And use the colors that have made life seem small.
But where am I? I want to die.
I want to live. I want to die.
But you've got a way of understanding me.
And I just call it one of your mysteries
But you know that you've got to stay close to me, close to me.
But where am I? I want to die.
But where am I? I want to die.
I want to die.
I want to give.
I want to die.
Die die die die,
Die die die die.
The lyrics to This Mortal Coil's "I Want To Live" are complex and layered with emotions. The song seems to be about someone who is struggling with their own selfishness and desires. The singer confesses that they have collected all of their "lifetime memories" of someone and that these memories have led them to believe that life is "true." This suggests that the singer has attached their sense of truth and meaning in life to this person, which may be why they are struggling with their own selfishness.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses conflicting desires. They want to die, but they also want to live. They recognize that they are being selfish and unkind, but they may not know how to change their behavior. They even mention that if they were someone else, they would like to be a fool. This could be interpreted as a desire to escape responsibility and the pressure to make the "right" choices in life.
Despite all of this, the singer seems to have someone in their life who understands them. They describe this person as having a "way of understanding," and they acknowledge that it's one of their "mysteries." This suggests that the singer may have a loving relationship with someone, but they are still struggling to find meaning and purpose in their life.
Overall, "I Want To Live" is a deeply introspective song that explores the complexities of human desires and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I've gathered all my lifetime memories of you.
I have collected all the memories of you throughout my life.
My lusty sentiments they made life seem true.
My passionate feelings made life seem real.
I'm rather selfish and I mean to be unkind.
I am quite selfish and intentionally cruel.
You can't imagine what it does to me inside.
You cannot comprehend how it affects me internally.
But where am I? I want to die.
I am lost and in despair, wishing for death.
I want to live. I want to die.
I have conflicting desires to both live and die.
If I were someone I would like to be a fool.
I wish to be someone who is oblivious and ignorant.
No one would know me and I think that would be cool.
Being unknown seems appealing to me.
I'd paint a picture of my life upon your wall.
I would create a portrait of my life on your wall.
And use the colors that have made life seem small.
I would use the shades which represent my insignificant life.
But you've got a way of understanding me.
You possess a unique ability to comprehend me.
And I just call it one of your mysteries
I consider it to be one of your intriguing enigmas.
But you know that you've got to stay close to me, close to me.
You understand the importance of being near to me.
But where am I? I want to die.
Yet again, I am lost and hopeless, wishing for death.
I want to give.
I have a desire to offer something.
Die die die die, Die die die die.
Repeating the phrase 'die' emphasizes the sentiment of despair and the desire for death.
Lyrics © OGAN MUSIC
Written by: GARY OGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind