The Chase
Tori Amos Natashya Hawley Lyrics
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Let's say predators
I have weapons
That could destroy them
You must out-create
I am the hunter
And the hunted
Joined together
You create duality
And neutrality
I must leave you
With the Fire muse
Show her the riddle
It is serious
If you lose
Out there
I'll be the hare
Then I'm the greyhound
Chasing after you
Then I will change my frequency
To a fish that thinks
Then you will find yourself
In the paws
Of the otter
Near her jaws
Then I'll grow my wings
As a flying thing
Flying thing, you be warned
I'm the falcon
Watch me change
Into a grain of corn
A grain of corn
Hear the alarm
In your head
I'm the hen
Black and red
And you're in my barn
They would have won
Use your head or you'll be dead
The lyrics of Tori Amos’ song “The Chase” in Natashya Hawley’s album are mysterious and symbolic. The song explores the idea of being hunted, and the need to create in order to survive. The opening lines suggest the presence of hunters, or predators, but the lyrics that follow indicate that the singer has the ability to defend themselves with their own weapons. The next lines suggest that the singer and listener are united in their struggle, and that creativity is their greatest weapon against the hunters.
The singer then reveals that they are both the hunter and the hunted, which could suggest a duality in the individual’s nature or identity. This dual identity creates both duality and neutrality, adding to the complexity of the singer’s situation. The singer then empowers the listener, urging them to use their creativity to solve the riddle presented to them by the “Fire muse”. The singer warns that failure to solve this riddle could lead to death.
As the song progresses, the singer describes their ability to change form, becoming a hare, a greyhound, a fish, an otter, and ultimately a falcon. The constantly changing nature of the singer’s identity reflects the unpredictable nature of the chase. The song concludes with a warning to the listener to use their intelligence or face the consequences of being caught.
Line by Line Meaning
Out there are hunters
There are predators in the world
I have weapons
That could destroy them
I possess the power to defeat these predators
You must out-create
It's the only way
You must create something new in order to avoid being caught by the predators
I am the hunter
And the hunted
Joined together
I am both the predator and the prey, one and the same
You create duality
And neutrality
You bring about two opposing forces and a balance between them
I must leave you
With the Fire muse
Show her the riddle
It is serious
If you lose
I must entrust you to the creative force of fire and give her a serious challenge to solve
Out there
I'll be the hare
In the open, I will move fast and agile like a hare
Then I'm the greyhound
Chasing after you
Then I will be fast and determined, chasing you down like a greyhound
Then I will change my frequency
To a fish that thinks
Then I will adapt a new form and perspective, swimming like a fish with a sharp mind
Then you will find yourself
In the paws
Of the otter
Near her jaws
Then you will be in the clutches of the otter, who is swift and deadly
Then I'll grow my wings
As a flying thing
Then I will transform yet again, growing wings and taking to the sky
Flying thing, you be warned
I'm the falcon
Despite your new abilities, I am still the predator, a falcon in the air
Watch me change
Into a grain of corn
Observe as I transform once more, becoming one with the field and the land
A grain of corn
Hear the alarm
In your head
I'm the hen
Black and red
And you're in my barn
I have caught you in my grasp, like a hen guarding its precious brood in the barn
They would have won
Use your head or you'll be dead
Without your creativity and intelligence, the predators would have won; use your wits or suffer the consequences
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind