Pap Smear

Crystal Castles' song 'Pap Smear' delves into the themes of innocence, control, and the loss of potential. The opening lines, 'You never got to bloom / They cut you from the stem,' evoke a sense of lost potential and innocence cut short. This imagery of a flower being cut before it can bloom serves as a powerful metaphor for lives that are stifled or controlled before they can fully develop. The lyrics suggest that innocence is inherent at birth but is inevitably tainted by understanding and experience.

The repetition of 'Repeat every word that you say to me / They put you to use or put you to sleep' highlights the oppressive nature of control and manipulation. The inability to distinguish 'an embryo or a planted seed' further emphasizes the confusion and loss of identity that comes with being controlled or used. This line blurs the lines between natural growth and artificial manipulation, suggesting a world where the natural course of life is disrupted by external forces.

The recurring imagery of 'many shades of white' and 'many shades of pale' adds to the song's haunting atmosphere. White, often associated with purity and innocence, is presented in various shades, indicating that even purity can be tainted. The lines 'I know what you hate / So I do it constantly' and 'I know how to cut / A wound that will not heal' speak to a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering, further underscoring the themes of control and manipulation. The song paints a bleak picture of a world where innocence is lost, and individuals are subjected to relentless control and harm.