Acclaimed indie-rock singer-songwriter Mitski has returned with “Working for the Knife,” her first proper single since going on hiatus—and deleting her social media accounts—in 2019. Produced by Patrick Hyland, the song comprises five verses, all of which find Mitski contending with a cold, indifferent world.
“It’s about going from being a kid with a dream, to a grown up with a job, and feeling that somewhere along the way you got left behind,” Mitski said in a statement. “It’s being confronted with a world that doesn’t seem to recognize your humanity, and seeing no way out of it.”
In the opening verse, Mitski sings of unfulfilled creative impulses. One interpretation of the song is that she’s lamenting the sacrifices we make in the face of capitalism.
I cry at the start of every movie
I guess ’cause I wish I was making things too
But I’m working for the knife
The song and accompanying music video—an intense clip filmed at the Albany performing-arts venue The Egg—suggest Mitski feels no small degree of discomfort in the spotlight. But in the third verse, the artist worries about being forgotten. (Some knifes may be self-made.)
I always knew the world moves on
I just didn’t know it would go without me
I start the day high and it ends so low
’Cause I’m working for the knife
In the final verse, Mitski seemingly takes some responsibility for toiling under the unnamed oppressor—or oppressors—she just can’t shake.
I always thought the choice was mine
And I was right but I just chose wrong
I start the day lying and end with the truth
That I’m dying for the knife
You can read all the lyrics to “Working for the Knife” on Genius now.
