Salt In The Wound
Phoebe Bridgers Julien Baker Lyrics
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And a kiss on my cheek
You butter me up
And you sit down to eat
You add insult to injury
You say you believe in me
But you haven't decided
About taking or leaving me
But you take and you take
Like silks up my sleeve
Tied corner to corner, never ending
Trick after trick, I make the magic
And you unrelentingly ask for the secret
Neck full of mockingbirds
All calling your name
I tried to sing it all back
Like I heard it, it don't sound the same
I'm gnashing my teeth
Like a child of Cain
If this is a prison I'm willing to burn my own chain
But you take and you take
Like silks up my sleeve
Tied corner to corner, never ending
Trick after trick, I make the magic
And you unrelentingly ask for the secret
They say the hearts and minds are on your side
They say the finish line is in your sights
What they don't say is what's on the other side
They say the hearts and minds are on your side
In Salt In The Wound, Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker describe a toxic relationship. The chorus “You put salt in the wound / And a kiss on my cheek / You butter me up / And you sit down to eat” paints a picture of someone who repeatedly hurts and betrays their partner, but then tries to make it up to them with flattery and affection, only to return to their hurtful behavior. The verses add to this sense of frustration and manipulation, with the partner taking and taking while the singer is left feeling used and unappreciated. The use of the metaphor “silks up my sleeve / Tied corner to corner, never ending / Trick after trick” highlights the manipulative nature of the relationship, as the partner always seems to be one step ahead and in control.
The second half of the song takes a more introspective turn, with the singer questioning whether they themselves are to blame for staying in this unhealthy relationship. The line “If this is a prison I'm willing to burn my own chain” suggests a desire to break free from the cycle of pain, but a willingness to take responsibility for their own role in it. The repeated refrain “They say the hearts and minds are on your side” can be interpreted as the societal pressure to stay in a relationship, even if it's unhealthy or abusive.
Overall, Salt In The Wound is a powerful and emotional portrayal of the ups and downs of a toxic relationship, highlighting the difficulty of breaking free and the toll it takes on both parties.
Line by Line Meaning
You put salt in the wound
You not only worsen the pain but also cause additional hurt
And a kiss on my cheek
You show affection after causing pain which is confusing
You butter me up
You attempt to flatter me and gain my trust
And you sit down to eat
You are indifferent to the hurt you caused and move on with your life
You add insult to injury
You make the situation worse by making condescending comments
You say you believe in me
You vocalize support for me
But you haven't decided
You're uncertain about your feelings towards me
About taking or leaving me
Whether you'll commit to me or not
But you take and you take
You are greedy and take more than you give
Like silks up my sleeve
You take things effortlessly and without notice
Tied corner to corner, never ending
You take constantly without limit or end
Trick after trick, I make the magic
I put in effort to make things happen or appear perfect
And you unrelentingly ask for the secret
You are pushy and want what I have without working for it
Neck full of mockingbirds
You're constantly surrounded by people who criticize you
All calling your name
People are constantly addressing and referencing you
I tried to sing it all back
I attempted to recreate your words or actions
Like I heard it, it don't sound the same
My attempt at recreating your words or actions did not have the same effect as yours
I'm gnashing my teeth
I am extremely frustrated and angry
Like a child of Cain
I feel like someone who will never be accepted or forgiven
If this is a prison I'm willing to burn my own chain
If I'm trapped in this cycle of hurt, I'm willing to end it myself
They say the hearts and minds are on your side
People are supporting and rooting for you
They say the finish line is in your sights
You're close to achieving your goals
What they don't say is what's on the other side
They don't acknowledge the negative consequences of achieving your goals
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Julien Rose Baker, Lucy Elizabeth Dacus, Phoebe L. Bridgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind