Scissors Cut

Art Garfunkel's song "Scissors Cut" delves into the complexities and fragility of human relationships, set against a backdrop of a chaotic and unpredictable world. The opening lines, "If they ever drop the bomb," you said / "I'll find you in the flames," evoke a sense of apocalyptic dread, suggesting a world on the brink of disaster. This metaphorical bomb could represent any catastrophic event that tests the strength of human connections. Despite the promise of finding each other in the flames, the reality is that the characters in the song have drifted apart, now acting like strangers who don't even know each other's names.

The chorus, with its reference to the game of rock-paper-scissors, serves as a poignant metaphor for the cyclical nature of hurt and betrayal in relationships. "Scissors cut, paper covers rock / Breaks the shining scissor" illustrates how one action leads to another, creating a chain of events that ultimately results in loss and regret. The line "You hurt me / I hurt her and she goes and we will miss her" highlights the ripple effect of emotional pain, where one person's actions can indirectly cause suffering to others, leading to a sense of collective loss.

The song also touches on the theme of nostalgia and the innocence of childhood, as seen in the lines, "Now, I look around at people / Playing children's games." This imagery contrasts sharply with the adult complexities of the relationships described, emphasizing how far the characters have come from simpler, more innocent times. The recurring question of whether the other person is still thinking about finding each other in the flames suggests a lingering hope amidst the sadness, a desire to reconnect despite the emotional scars. Through its evocative lyrics and haunting melody, "Scissors Cut" captures the delicate balance between love, loss, and the enduring hope for reconciliation.