The band explained the lyrical content of the track:
"We wanted the song to feel pessimistic and discuss the insecurities of growing up. Though it’s lyrically the darkest song on the album, it’s contrasted by the music feeling upbeat and happy in spots."
"The original idea to “Treacherous Doctor” was written in Cole’s bedroom at USC after we heard a track called “Kim,” by our good friends Joy Again. The riff came out immediately, and the rest of the arrangement happened after Braeden just started drumming for three minutes on GarageBand and formed the song off that."
– Wallows, for Clash Music
"What’s funny is that song in particular we only had the riff and chords as the first idea. Basically, we knew we wanted to record that for the album. I went to my drum kit in my house, pressed record, and started to make a demo on my own. I played through in my head of what it could be, I was playing the riff, I was drumming it, and by the time I got to the bridge I had no idea what I wanted it to be so I just started hitting the crash cymbals. Then I went to a random beat, then to the crash cymbals again, not realizing I was not even on time when I got out of the crash cymbals. Then, I basically did all the instruments around that and somehow that one off, one take demo thing, I played it for the guys and I played it for John and they were like yeah this is great let’s just do two kick ins or whatever. So, it was actually just very off the top of the head. I had no idea what that was going to be and it turned out to be what it is. I’m glad it’s as crazy as it is."
– Braeden Lemasters
Treacherous Doctor
Wallows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or would you use them all against me?
Can you replace my eyes for yours?
See what I really look like
I could help you criticize
Looking for a sense of relation
Where do people want me to be?
Dressed to un-impress easily
Losing sight again
I'll go ahead and give your eyes back now
You grow up, gone
So what's the point of connecting to anyone?
Is a relationship bought or is it won?
Are the things I think are important
Simply just distractions from death?
All of my ideas turn to content
They can be conceived 'til they're read
Lost my words again
It doesn't matter
'Cause you wouldn't understand
Love, in teens and life in the twenties
Nothing much to look forward to
I can't help but cry on vacation
Is this the way to exit my youth? Oh
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
The song, Treacherous Doctor by Wallows, is a contemplative piece that delves into various insecurities and anxieties that are common amongst individuals in their twenties. The lyrics begin with a query on trust, questioning whether the person can actually confide in someone or whether their thoughts will be used against them. This resonates with how many feel when they're in a vulnerable state, often questioning whether the people they're close to have their best interests at heart or whether they're just using them for their own benefit. The next few lines contain a metaphorical expression of wanting to see things from a different perspective - "replace my eyes for yours, see what I really look like" which could be interpreted as wanting to understand how others perceive them.
The verse "Looking for a sense of relation, Where do people want me to be?" shows one of the most profound questions of reckoning at this juncture of life-where one's identity and belonging lie. Lost in the thought, the singer cries on vacation, feeling like they don't fit in, "Dressed to unimpress easily." But as always, change is inevitable, and the repetition of "Losing sight again, I'll go ahead and give your eyes back now" conveys how it's difficult to maintain perspective, and you can easily switch between feeling confident and articulate to feeling unsure and misunderstood.
The chorus of the song questions the purpose of forming human connections- whether they are genuine or bought. Then in the bridge, the singer tries to find solace in pondering the meaning of life, but nothing works, "All of my ideas turn to content, Lost my words again, It doesn't matter." Finally, the song culminates with a reference to a doctor who symbolizes an ultimate savior figure that can shed light on the singer's troubles, "Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?"
Line by Line Meaning
Could I trust you with my thoughts
Wondering if I can be open with you
Or would you use them all against me?
Afraid you might hurt me with what I share
Can you replace my eyes for yours?
Can you understand my perspective?
See what I really look like
See the real me and not just what I show
I could help you criticize
I can point out my own flaws
Looking for a sense of relation
Searching for connection and belonging
Where do people want me to be?
Feeling lost and unsure of my place
I can't help but cry on vacation
Even when I try to escape, I can't escape my emotions
Dressed to unimpress easily
Not wanting to draw attention to myself
Losing sight again
Feeling lost and disconnected once more
I'll go ahead and give your eyes back now
I'm done trying to make you understand
So what's the point of connecting to anyone?
Questioning if it's worth it to open up to others
Is a relationship bought or is it won?
Wondering about the true nature of relationships
Are the things I think are important
Questioning the significance of my own thoughts
Simply just distractions from death?
Wondering if my own mortality makes everything else meaningless
All of my ideas turn to content
My thoughts become just something to consume
They can be conceived 'til they're read
My ideas have no value until others can consume them
Lost my words again
Feeling unable to express myself
It doesn't matter
Nothing seems to hold much significance
'Cause you wouldn't understand
Assuming others won't be able to relate or comprehend
Love, in terms of life in the twenties
Exploring the complexities of relationships in my current stage of life
Nothing much to look forward to
Feeling disillusioned about the future
Is this the way to exit my youth?
Wondering if entering adulthood means losing something important
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
Asking for help or guidance in understanding myself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Braeden Lemasters, Cole Preston, Dylan Minnette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@javiajante
(lyrics)
Could I trust you with my thoughts
Or would you use them all against me
Can you replace my eyes for yours
And see what I really look like
I could help you criticize
Looking for a sense of relation
Where do people want me to be?
I can't help but die on vacation
Dressed to unimpress easily
Losing sight again
I'll go ahead and give you your eyes back now
You go on, go on
So what's the point of connecting to anyone?
Is a relationship bought or is it won?
Are the things I think are important
Simply just distractions from death?
All of my ideas turn to content
They can be conceived 'til they're read
Lost my words again
It doesn't matter
'Cause you wouldn't understand
Love, it isn't life in the twenties
Nothing much to look forward to
I can't help but die on vacation
Is this the way to exit my youth?
Oh
Hey, treacherous doctor
Do you know what's the matter with me?
Hey, treacherous doctor
Do you know what's the matter with me?
@Lara-kx3zz
LYRICS
Could I trust you with my thoughts
Or would you use them all against me?
Can you replace my eyes for yours
And see what I really look like?
I could help you criticize
Looking for a sense of relation
Where do people want me to be?
I can't help but cry on vacation
Dressed to unimpress easily
Losing sight again
I'll go ahead and give you your eyes back now
You grow up, gone
So what's the point of connecting to anyone?
Is a relationship bought or is it won?
Are the things I think are important
Simply just distractions from death?
All of my ideas turn to content
They can't be conceived 'til they're read
Lost my words again
It doesn't matter
'Cause you wouldn't understand
Love in teens and life in the twenties
Nothing much to look forward to
I can't help but cry on vacation
Is this the way to exit my youth?
Oh...
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
@afiqrizal7613
Could I trust you with my thoughts
Or would you use them all against me?
Can you replace my eyes for yours?
See what I really look like
I could help you criticize
Looking for a sense of relation
Where do people want me to be?
I can't help but cry on vacation
Dressed to unimpress easily
Losing sight again
I'll go ahead and give your eyes back now
You go on, go on
So what's the point of connecting to anyone?
Is a relationship bought or is it won?
Are the things I think are important
Simply just distractions from death?
All of my ideas turn to content
They can be conceived 'til they're read
Lost my words again
It doesn't matter
'Cause you wouldn't understand
Love, in terms of life in the twenties
Nothing much to look forward to
I can't help but cry on vacation
Is this the way to exit my youth?
Oh
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
Hey, treacherous doctor, do you know what's the matter with me?
@sasha-jy5wn
love how coles hair gets progressively longer until he goes dr phil mode
@heyitsiya6795
alex i-
@FabulousKilljoy
I can’t 😂
@kessler420
DR PHIL MODE
@Camryn.0
@@kessler420 bahahha yes
@rmreece
He fuckin died
@okayfine.8084
I’m imagining the amount of work that went into this, and it’s stressing me out.
@Batman0the0cat
Ikr? Also I think it's made by just one person ??? They're on tik tok but idk could be wrong. Amazing no matter what!!
@kyunnc
@Nathalia Lopez lol ok
@jadedelaney415
i thought i was the only oneee the whole time i’m just thinking about it