Stroke

Banks' song 'Stroke' delves into the complexities of a toxic relationship dominated by narcissism and emotional manipulation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a partner who demands constant validation and ego-stroking, revealing the exhausting and one-sided nature of such a relationship. The repeated lines 'You want me, you want me / Want me to stroke your ego' highlight the relentless need for attention and admiration from the narcissistic partner, who is willing to lie and manipulate to maintain control.

The metaphor of drowning and floating in the lines 'Say it's hard to breathe inside my ocean / I gave you the deep, but you're still floating' underscores the emotional depth and vulnerability the singer offers, only to be met with superficiality and self-preservation from the partner. This imagery powerfully conveys the imbalance in the relationship, where the singer's emotional investment is not reciprocated, and the partner would 'let me drown to save your own life.' The use of water as a metaphor for emotions and the soul adds a layer of depth to the narrative, emphasizing the suffocating and draining nature of the relationship.

Banks also touches on the theme of self-awareness and realization in the lines 'You tell me you're a book that I misread / You just wanna tell me what to do.' This suggests a moment of clarity for the singer, recognizing the manipulative tactics of the partner who twists reality to maintain control. The song's chorus, with its catchy yet haunting repetition, reinforces the cyclical and inescapable nature of the relationship, where the singer is constantly pulled back into the narcissist's orbit despite the emotional toll.

'Gather all your money, make a symphony' and 'You're treading water and the wound got deeper' further illustrate the partner's superficial charm and the deepening emotional scars left on the singer. The juxtaposition of 'sweet' and 'savory' in the lyrics reflects the duality of the partner's behavior, oscillating between charm and cruelty. Ultimately, 'Stroke' is a powerful exploration of the destructive impact of narcissism in relationships, capturing the emotional turmoil and the struggle for self-preservation in the face of manipulation.