Reptile
david bowie and nine inch nails Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She leaves a trail of honey to show me where she's been
She has the blood of reptile just underneath her skin
Seeds from a thousand others drip down from within
Oh my beautiful liar
Oh my precious whore
My disease my infection
I am so impure
Devils speak of the ways in which she'll manifest
Angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress
Need to contaminate to alleviate this loneliness
I now know the depths I reach are limitless
Oh my beautiful liar
Oh my precious whore
My disease my infection
I am so impure
Oh my beautiful liar
Oh my precious whore
My disease my infection
I am so impure
Oh my beautiful liar
Oh my precious whore
My disease my infection
I am so impure
The lyrics of the song Reptile explore the theme of sexuality and the dark side of human nature. The verses describe a woman who is willing to do anything to satisfy her desires, even if it means letting insects inside her body or contaminating herself with the blood of reptiles. The singer describes her as a "beautiful liar" and a "precious whore," highlighting the duality of her nature. He also admits that he is infected by her, suggesting that he is addicted to her and cannot resist her seductive charms.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the lines "Oh my beautiful liar, oh my precious whore, my disease, my infection, I am so impure," reinforces the idea of the singer's intense attraction to this woman and his awareness of the dangers she poses to him. The second verse adds a new layer to the lyrics, suggesting that there may be supernatural forces at work. The singer mentions devils and angels and describes his touch as tainted. He also admits that he needs to contaminate others to alleviate his loneliness, suggesting that his actions are driven by a deep sense of emptiness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
She spread herself wide open to let the insects in
She is willing to expose herself to danger and pain in order to feel something
She leaves a trail of honey to show me where she's been
She entices and seduces others with her actions and words
She has the blood of reptile just underneath her skin
She is cold and unfeeling, with a hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface
Seeds from a thousand others drip down from within
Her past experiences and traumas continue to affect and influence her current actions and behaviors
Devils speak of the ways in which she'll manifest
Her destructive and dangerous behavior is often attributed to being influenced by darker forces
Angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress
Even the purest and most innocent can be harmed and corrupted by her touch
Need to contaminate to alleviate this loneliness
She seeks to bring others down to her level of pain and misery in order to feel less alone
I now know the depths I reach are limitless
He realizes how far he is willing to go to be with her, even if it means losing himself in the process
Oh my beautiful liar
She is deceptive and manipulative, but he cannot help but be drawn to her
Oh my precious whore
She is both tantalizing and shameful, representing both desire and disgust
My disease my infection
She is his downfall, slowly corrupting and destroying him from within
I am so impure
He recognizes how much he has been tainted and stained by his connection to her, and how he can never go back to who he once was
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TRENT REZNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikes2622
Nin with bowie on the outside tour is without a doubt the best concert ive ever seen.
@ElaisaLegalaisa
oh my dear god...the perfection
@somatonusbewegenmitwohl-fu2167
fantastic piece of `history`
@theMusicofmyLife1
Lyrics and music not easy (that require multiple plays and reflection) by the noir vein of Bowie, performed live only at Tour OUTSIDE. Fascinating, as always with meanings hidden between the lines beyond the apparent emotions. Bowie, even in pairs, is absolutely a catalyst of all attention: ravishes with a voice and a style that do not allow comparisons... Thank you so much for this rare pearl, Marianna (perfect audio/video, as usual !).
@minidiva46
Fabulously eclectic!!!
@saitaro
oh, this shit makes some mood...
@juankble
David Bowie <3 and Trent
@tdotphoto
pure awesomeness !!!!!!!!!
@emilianoortega-guerrero2925
rock and roll yeah
@missSandiLicious
fuck yeah great video