and new album Poems for the Black hole https://www.last.fm/music/User/Poems+from+The+Black+Hole
User was a band from Örebro, Sweden creating primarily rock music. The band went on a hiatus in 2007 due to problems from their label and the fact they were not able to release music due to trademark infringement, they changed their name to User of a Common Name.
Amputate
User Lyrics
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With your lips
And your mouth
With your hips
What a ya mean
You wouldn't lend me your hands
Sitting there on your hand grenade.
You wouldn't lend me some cash
They just dusted your village
Amputate
With your fists
And your mouth
With your hips
What a ya mean
You couldn't take the chance
Sitting in your souped up tank.
What a ya mean
You wouldn't lend me the cash
You just pounded the pity
With pounds of the pity.
I would have turned it around
Take your one way ticket to hell
But the river is dry so you
better take to the sky
Its not a holiday
When you're crashing down
Screaming out of the sky
Amputate
With your lips
And your mouth
With your fists
Bite the bullet
Twist the tourniquet
In "Amputate," User is exploring themes of betrayal, violence, and power. The song begins with the suggestion that the only way to truly sever ties with someone is to "amputate" them - a metaphor that User extends to body parts like lips, mouths, and hips. User addresses someone who seems to have abandoned them in their time of need, refusing to lend their hands or cash, even after their own village has been destroyed. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that this person is in a position of power - sitting on a hand grenade, driving a souped-up tank - and that they have used that power to crush others, "pounding the pity with pounds of the pity." Ultimately, the song suggests that those who wield power indiscriminately will face a reckoning, falling from the sky and meeting a violent end.
Line by Line Meaning
Amputate
To cut off or remove a part of oneself or others
With your lips
Using your words to deceive and manipulate
And your mouth
Using your voice to scream and shout, causing harm to others
With your hips
Using your body to seduce and lure others into your trap
What a ya mean
You wouldn't lend me your hands
Sitting there on your hand grenade.
You refuse to help me in my time of need, despite being equipped to do so. You are a danger to yourself and others, and unwilling to take responsibility for your actions.
What a ya mean
You wouldn't lend me some cash
They just dusted your village
You withhold your resources and support, even after having experienced loss and devastation. Your lack of empathy and care shows your true character.
Amputate
With your fists
And your mouth
With your hips
You continue to use violence, intimidation, and manipulation to exert control over others. You are willing to harm and hurt to achieve your own goals and desires.
What a ya mean
You couldn't take the chance
Sitting in your souped up tank.
You hide behind your weapons and defenses, unwilling to take any personal risks or make any sacrifices. Your cowardice and fear prevent you from making any progress or change.
What a ya mean
You wouldn't lend me the cash
You just pounded the pity
With pounds of the pity.
I would have turned it around
You refuse to offer any help or assistance, even when others are clearly suffering and in need. You take pleasure in other's pain and discomfort, and lack the empathy to understand their struggles.
Take your one way ticket to hell
But the river is dry so you
better take to the sky
Its not a holiday
When you're crashing down
Screaming out of the sky
You will face the consequences of your actions, even if it means facing eternal damnation. You can run, but you cannot hide from your own guilt and wrongdoing, and eventually, it will catch up to you.
Bite the bullet
Twist the tourniquet
You must face the pain and suffering caused by your actions. You cannot continue to ignore or deny the harm you have done, and must take responsibility for your mistakes and seek to make amends.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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