They have now gone their separate ways. Dan Donnelly is now the main creative force in New York-based Sonovagun, while Brian Acton and Bruce Reid have formed a band called Drat.
Cruelty
Watercress Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's cruel to kill another person,
Or to torture fluffy animals for fun.
The problem that I find is where to draw the line
And not be cruel to number one.
Is it cruel to wash a spider down the plughole,
Is it cruel for me to say that I'll never fall in love with you?
What about cruelty to me?
I know it's cruel to go out hunting foxes,
Or to put my aftershave in rabbits' eyes.
But what I want to know is how far do I go,
Does this rule extend to embryos and flies?
Is it cruel to kill the microbes in my toilet?
Or to swat a thingy like a stingy bee?
Is it cruel for me to say that I'll never fall in love with you?
And what about cruelty to me?
Oh my, what about cruelty to me?
The opening line of the song "How can I be so cruel when I don't know what that means?" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which explore the concept of cruelty and its boundaries. The singer acknowledges that it is widely accepted that killing another person or torturing animals is cruel, but the issue becomes more complex when it comes to situations that are less clear-cut. The song poses questions such as "Is it cruel to wash a spider down the plughole?" and "Is it cruel for me to say that I'll never fall in love with you?" which shows that defining what is and what is not cruel is not always straightforward.
The singer also touches upon the idea of self-preservation and questions whether it is cruel to put one's own needs above those of others. The line "And not be cruel to number one" highlights the tension between looking out for oneself and treating others with kindness and compassion.
Overall, the lyrics of the song "Cruelty" are thought-provoking and encourage listeners to reflect on the impact of their actions on others and on themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I be so cruel when I don't know what that means?
I am aware that cruelty is unacceptable, but I am not sure what it really entails.
I know it's cruel to kill another person,
It's evident that taking someone's life is an act of cruelty.
Or to torture fluffy animals for fun.
Similarly, causing harm to animals for mere amusement is also a form of cruelty.
The problem that I find is where to draw the line
However, I struggle with understanding where the limit of cruelty lies.
And not be cruel to number one.
I am also mindful that it is vital to not be cruel to myself.
Is it cruel to wash a spider down the plughole,
I question whether killing small organisms like spiders qualifies as cruelty.
Or to eat a lamb with mint sauce for my tea?
Similarly, I am uncertain whether consuming meat is a cruel act or not.
Is it cruel for me to say that I'll never fall in love with you?
I wonder if not reciprocating someone's romantic feelings is a form of cruelty.
What about cruelty to me?
I also contemplate whether my actions towards myself can be considered cruel.
I know it's cruel to go out hunting foxes,
I understand that hunting for sport is an act of cruelty towards animals.
Or to put my aftershave in rabbits' eyes.
Similarly, using animals for testing cosmetic products is also an act of cruelty.
But what I want to know is how far do I go,
Despite comprehending some acts of cruelty, I am uncertain how far this notion extends.
Does this rule extend to embryos and flies?
I am not sure whether harming small organisms like flies or embryos is an act of cruelty.
Is it cruel to kill the microbes in my toilet?
I even question whether killing small organisms like bacteria is an act of cruelty or not.
Or to swat a thingy like a stingy bee?
Similarly, I am uncertain whether killing insects like bees would be deemed cruel.
And what about cruelty to me?
Once again, I am mindful of my actions towards myself and ponder if they can be considered cruel.
Oh my, what about cruelty to me?
My concern surrounding cruelty extends to how I treat myself as well.
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.