Siamese
Wye Oak Lyrics

The lyrics of Wye Oak's song "Siamese" contain themes of vulnerability, self-defense, and the inextricable connection between two individuals. The opening line, "I know my place, it's a place I've never been though," suggests an uncertainty in the singer's sense of self, while the following line, "Flat like rain in a picture of a window," paints a picture of this unknown place as a dreary, featureless landscape. However, the singer appears to have a certain level of comfort in this place, as they say "It's OK, it's alright, I walk on late at night."

This sense of comfort, however, is juxtaposed with a feeling of danger and readiness to defend oneself. The line "I keep my key out my clothes between my fingers, don't look back, hit him right between the eyes" conveys a sense of vigilance and strength, suggesting that the singer is prepared to defend themselves against potential attackers. This strength is further emphasized in the lines "You couldn't scare me if you tried, 'cause I'm ready to die tonight," indicating the singer's confidence in their own ability to defend themselves.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of inseparability between two individuals, using the metaphor of conjoined twins: "His life and mine keep together like babies, siamese, like you've got me on a line, 'cause if you leave or if I leave you, I lose my life and lose you too." This suggests that the singer's sense of self is intimately tied to the existence of another person, and that they are willing to fight to maintain that bond.

Overall, "Siamese" is a complex exploration of the intersection between vulnerability and strength, and of the connections that tie us to other people.