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.
Tarantula
This Mortal Coil Lyrics
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Can see it in my stare.
I wear a mask so falsely numb and I don't know who I am.
Despite the worlds inside of me thwarting me away.
I've noticed in other eyes, time's closing in.
But when the thunder breaks it breaks for you and me.
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula.
The future's looking rather grim.
Decisions lie with stupid men.
Alone with my life.
That choking and the hype in me expecting me to fall.
But only if I'm threatened will the tables turn.
But when the thunder breaks it breaks for you and me.
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula
My world's under a sentence of death, I was born underground.
But when the pressure gets too much for me, I bite.
In the song Tarantula by This Mortal Coil, the singer describes a sense of numbness and detachment from their own identity, marked by a disconnected stare and a false mask. They feel thwarted by the forces within themselves, and sense the approach of their own mortality in the eyes of others. The future looks bleak, with decisions resting in the hands of foolish people, and the singer feels alone with their own life, surrounded by choking hype that expects them to fail. But the tables can turn if the singer feels threatened, and with the breaking of thunder, there is an opportunity for change. The repetition of "tarantula" throughout the song adds to the sense of unease and danger, underscoring the feeling of being trapped and in danger.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm living but I'm feeling numb.
Despite being alive, I lack feeling and cannot fully experience life.
Can see it in my stare.
My emotionless expression reveals my inner numbness.
I wear a mask so falsely numb and I don't know who I am.
I pretend to be emotionless to hide my true self and feel lost as a result.
Despite the worlds inside of me thwarting me away.
Internal struggles are preventing me from finding my true identity.
I've noticed in other eyes, time's closing in.
I see the effects of aging on other people and fear growing old.
But when the thunder breaks it breaks for you and me.
Disastrous events affect everyone, regardless of their individual struggles.
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula.
Repetition of this phrase creates a sense of impending doom and danger.
The future's looking rather grim.
My outlook on the future is pessimistic.
Strange black tide.
A disturbing force is affecting me and those around me.
Decisions lie with stupid men.
Important choices are made by those lacking intelligence or wisdom.
Alone with my life.
I feel lonely and disconnected from the world around me.
That choking and the hype in me expecting me to fall.
Negative thoughts and anxiety are causing me to fear failure.
But only if I'm threatened will the tables turn.
I am only motivated to act when faced with danger or risk.
My world's under a sentence of death, I was born underground.
My life feels doomed and I have always struggled to emerge from darkness.
But when the pressure gets too much for me, I bite.
When pushed to my limit, I am willing to fight back and defend myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN YOUNG, IAN ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Malice Wonder
I'm living but I'm feeling numb, can see it in my stare
I wear a mask so falsely numb, and I don't know who I am
Despite the worlds inside of me, thwarting me away
I've noticed in other eyes, time's closing in
But when the thunder breaks, it breaks for you and me
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula
The future's looking rather grim, strange black tide
Decisions lie with stupid men, alone with my life
That choking and the hype in me, expecting me to fall
But only if I'm threatened will the tables turn
But when the thunder breaks, it breaks for you and me
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula
My world's under a sentence of death, I was born underground
But when the pressure gets too much for me, I bite
Wheelhelm
I can't listen to any This Mortal Coil song without it making me cry. This band reminds me of my first love and how sweet and innocent are time together was.
daiseytheduchessofh
I played this song so repeatedly that one day when I headed towards the stereo my roommate yelled "No more Tarantula!" I still love it.
electroluxia
Can never have enough, "Tarantula."
Kareen Cottell
So do I xxx
Cameron Lee
I not only love the song Tarantula but I also the spiders themselves.
Kim Whitehurst
been there!
Bob Wasp
I've been listening to this for 30 years and it's still incredible
msince1974
Meu Deus!!! Há 18 anos que não ouvia esta música que emoção! Traz-me tantas saudades do jovem que era e fui... do amigo que ma deu a conhecer, onde andas, Sintrinha!? Espero que bem! Emocionei-me como uma criança! Bem hajam, Paz para todos!!!!
Malice Wonder
I'm living but I'm feeling numb, can see it in my stare
I wear a mask so falsely numb, and I don't know who I am
Despite the worlds inside of me, thwarting me away
I've noticed in other eyes, time's closing in
But when the thunder breaks, it breaks for you and me
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula
The future's looking rather grim, strange black tide
Decisions lie with stupid men, alone with my life
That choking and the hype in me, expecting me to fall
But only if I'm threatened will the tables turn
But when the thunder breaks, it breaks for you and me
Tarantula, tarantula, tarantula, tarantula
My world's under a sentence of death, I was born underground
But when the pressure gets too much for me, I bite
LunaMoth Musical Entity
The more i hear from them the more i find i like. thanks for sharing.