Perfume

CoCo's song 'Perfume' delves into themes of deception, identity, and emotional exhaustion. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship marred by lies and pretense. The opening lines, 'why's everybody look the same / and does this make me a liar,' suggest a sense of disillusionment and a struggle with authenticity. The protagonist feels trapped, as indicated by the metaphor of being 'buried alive' under someone else's lies, highlighting the suffocating nature of deceit.

The recurring imagery of dirt and fire symbolizes the desire to cleanse and destroy the falsehoods that have accumulated. The lines 'there's dirt under your fingernails / cause you have me buried alive' and 'would it be hard to light this place on fire' reflect a yearning for liberation from the deceitful environment. The song also touches on the theme of emotional numbness, with the repeated phrase 'running out of things to care about,' indicating a state of apathy brought on by continuous betrayal.

The chorus, 'keep putting on this show of ours / keep pushing dirt under the rug / keep me dancing dancing dancing,' underscores the performative aspect of the relationship. The act of 'dancing' becomes a metaphor for maintaining appearances and avoiding confrontation. The mention of 'drinking perfume in your mother's closet' adds a surreal, almost grotesque element, suggesting a desperate attempt to escape reality. Ultimately, 'Perfume' is a poignant exploration of the toll that lies and pretense can take on one's sense of self and emotional well-being.