The Dirt
Waxahatchee Lyrics

The lyrics to Waxahatchee's song The Dirt are a direct commentary on the idea of manipulation and the power dynamic that exists within relationships. The singer in the song is calling out someone who is using their words to influence and control them, leading them down a path of hedonism and superficiality. The use of the phrase "loaded, you'll eulogize before you will preach" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer implies that the person they are addressing is more interested in glorifying themselves than in helping others. The phrase "rubbing your filthy hands on my speech" describes how this person is trying to muddy the singer's words and use them for their own gain. The singer acknowledges that they are not immune to this manipulation, as they ask "if I fill you with fiction that won't hurt, will you eat up my words with the dirt?" Essentially, the singer is asking whether the person will believe anything they say, even if it is untrue or manipulative.

The second half of the song takes a more introspective turn, as the singer reflects on their own emptiness and inability to find meaning in their life. The phrase "long since I was as empty as a young child" implies that the singer has been struggling with this feeling for a long time. They have reached a point where they feel like they are "a basement brimming with nothing great" and are searching for something more. The final lines of the song express a desire to disrupt the status quo, to "unhinge" and break free from the cycle of manipulation and superficiality.