Battle-axe

Deftones' song 'Battle-axe' from their self-titled album released in 2003, delves into the complexities of a troubled relationship, possibly touching on themes of denial, mental health, and the struggle for recognition. The lyrics suggest a dialogue or internal monologue where one person is confronting another's denial about their mental state and the impact it has on their relationship. The opening lines, 'I want to sleep if you are awake / Still making believe that you aren't at all crazy,' indicate a desire for peace and a sense of normalcy that is disrupted by the other's behavior.

The chorus, 'And if you don't believe I think you should / You make me so proud!' seems to be laced with sarcasm, as the speaker alternates between expressing pride and challenging the other's self-perception. This push and pull could represent the emotional rollercoaster often experienced in relationships where one partner is in denial about their issues. The repetition of 'you love to think you have always been this way' suggests a confrontation with a false narrative that the other person has constructed about themselves.

The song's title, 'Battle-axe,' itself could be a metaphor for the weaponized words or actions used in the relationship, or it could symbolize the heavy burden one carries in trying to maintain the relationship. The line 'And you only sleep when you've lost cause' implies that rest or peace only comes after a defeat or surrender, which could be a metaphor for the exhaustion of trying to help someone who is in denial. The song ends on a note of resignation, with the speaker acknowledging the other's state of mind as 'insane,' indicating a final acceptance of the situation as it is.