Infected

Bad Religion's song "Infected" delves into the complexities of a relationship that is both toxic and addictive. The lyrics convey a sense of being overwhelmed by emotions that are as destructive as they are compelling. The repeated lines "You and me / Have a disease" suggest that the relationship is likened to an illness, affecting both parties and leaving them in a state of affliction. The use of the words "affect" and "infect" indicates that the interaction between the two individuals is not only profound but also damaging.

The song's chorus emphasizes the duality of the connection, with the speaker acknowledging their own affliction and the other person's addiction. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how people can become dependent on relationships that are harmful, yet they find it difficult to break away from the cycle. The imagery of being tied, crucified, and wanting to revile the other's body speaks to the intensity and perhaps the physicality of their toxic bond. The desire to both harm and worship the other person reflects the confusing and often contradictory feelings that can arise in such relationships.

The concluding verses of the song intensify the theme of a cursed partnership. The speaker expresses a wish to both purify and destroy the other person, symbolizing the struggle between the desire to save the relationship and the recognition of its inherent destructiveness. The mention of holy water and an altar suggests a sacrificial element, hinting at the lengths to which the speaker is willing to go to either salvage or end the connection. The song ultimately portrays a relationship that is deeply troubled, yet inescapably magnetic, leaving the listener to ponder the nature of such intense emotional entanglements.