virgin state of mind

[verbicide]

Ok. I hate myself for posting song lyrics. But wtf does this song mean? It's a very haunting tune. It's as confusing to me as Pavlov's Bell by Aimee Mann. My whole life I don't know what that song means.



There's a chair in my head on which I used to sit
Took a pencil and I wrote the following on it

Now there's a key where my wonderful mouth used to be
Dig it up, throw it at me
Dig it up, throw it at me

Where can I run to, where can I hide
Who will I turn to now I'm in a virgin state of mind

Got a knife to disengage the voids that I can't bear
To cut out words I've got written on my chair

Like do you think I'm sexy
Do you think I really care

Can I burn the mazes I grow
Can I, I don't think so

Can I burn the mazes I grow
Can I, I don't think so

Where can I run to, where can I hide
Who will I turn to now I'm in a virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind

Comments

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

There's a chair in my head on which I used to sit
Took a pencil and I wrote the following on it

Now there's a key where my wonderful mouth used to be
Dig it up, throw it at me
Dig it up, throw it at me

I don't think the chair itself means much, except as a metaphor for quiet thinking place. The key where the mouth used to be would symbolize secrets that she used to want to come out, or perhaps wanted someone else to prod out of her.

Where can I run to, where can I hide
Who will I turn to now I'm in a virgin state of mind

Trying to escape the secrets... I am leaning toward this being about sexual issues although it could be a more metaphorical virginity.

Got a knife to disengage the voids that I can't bear
To cut out words I've got written on my chair

The secrets are painful, the knife would cut them out. She doesn't want the key to be dug up anymore, she can't bear to face the secrets head on.

Like do you think I'm sexy
Do you think I really care

Again, I think this ties into a rape or some sort of experience with a male.

Can I burn the mazes I grow
Can I, I don't think so

Can I burn the mazes I grow
Can I, I don't think so

She is the one causing her torment - the mazes (trapped, lost, confused, frightened) are being grown by her, and she thinks there is nothing to do to change things.

Where can I run to, where can I hide
Who will I turn to now I'm in a virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind
Virgin state of mind

I think that, in general, the song is about trying to pretend that something didn't happen because the pain is simply too much. She can't face it head on and cope, it is too much, she can't burn her way through the maze of emotion .. so, she is going to cut out the painful secrets and memories and return to a "virgin state of mind." i.e. denial.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Ooo good job. I had a vague notion that it was about self destruction. Sort of battling inner demons. Trapped in your own mind.

I like your version better. Now do Pavlov's Bell!! (*grin*) Because I seriously can't understand wtf it means. I mean why would you trade your clothes?

Aimee Mann - Pavlov's Bell

Oh Mario, sit here by the window
Stay here till we reach Idaho
And when we go, hold my hand on take off
Tell me what I already know
That we can't talk about it
No, we can't talk about it

Because nobody knows that's how I nearly fell
Trading clothes and ringing Pavlov's bell
History shows there's not a chance in hell

But, oh, Mario, we're only to Ohio
It's kind of getting harder to breath
I won't let it show, I'm all about denial
But can't deny all that need belief
That we could talk about it
But we can't talk about it

Because nobody knows that's how I nearly fell
Trading clothes and ringing Pavlov's bell
History shows, but rarely shows it well
Well well well

Oh Mario, why if this is nothing
I'm finding it so hard to dismiss
If you're what I need then only you can save me
So come on baby give me the fix
And let's just talk about it
I've got to talk about it

Because nobody knows that's how I nearly fell
Trading clothes and ringing Pavlov's bell
History shows, like it will show and tell
So tell me

That's how I nearly fell
By ringing Pavlov's bell
So baby show and tell

Oh Mario, Mario

[euphrasie.livejournal.com]

I think this song is about addiction. Whether to drugs, food, Mario, I don't know. But, I think the line about trading clothes if referring to attempting to change, but then the ringing of Pavlov's bell acts as a "trigger" of sorts back to who you were before. It's the idea that she tried to change, but is caught in an inescapable reactionary mindset.

I am unsure about "fell," whether it is a literal suicide attempt or more vague. I think it is probably more of a metaphor for falling under the addiction... brought back by Pavlov's Bell.

Anorexics often see progress as a trigger. The notion of trading clothes and then falling victim to the old triggers makes sense to me. I wouldn't be surprised if it were about anorexia.

Oh Mario, why if this is nothing
I'm finding it so hard to dismiss
If you're what I need then only you can save me
So come on baby give me the fix
And let's just talk about it
I've got to talk about it

This section makes me wonder whether Mario himself is the trigger.

Anyway, just some random thoughts.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks!

That's very interesting. I had always taken the 'trading clothes' reference as ...well, not as changing clothes. So that lends a whole nother perspective.

I want to write Aimee Mann and demand an explanation.