Are You A Hypnotist??

The Flaming Lips' song 'Are You A Hypnotist??' delves into the complex emotions of betrayal, forgiveness, and the bewildering power dynamics in relationships. The lyrics open with a sense of resignation and frustration as the narrator acknowledges being deceived repeatedly. The act of forgiving the deceiver, only to be tricked again, creates a cyclical pattern that the narrator struggles to break free from. This cycle is metaphorically represented by the question, 'Are you some kind of hypnotist?' suggesting that the deceiver possesses an almost magical ability to manipulate and control the narrator's emotions and actions.

The imagery of 'waving your powers around, the Sun eclipse behind the cloud' further emphasizes the manipulative nature of the deceiver. The Sun, often symbolizing clarity and truth, is obscured by the cloud, representing confusion and deception. This powerful visual metaphor highlights the obscured reality the narrator faces, unable to see the truth due to the deceiver's influence. The repeated questioning of the hypnotist's identity underscores the narrator's struggle to understand the nature of the manipulation and their own vulnerability to it.

In the second verse, the narrator's sense of identity and belonging is further explored. The recognition of the deceiver's face among strangers contrasts with the narrator's feeling of being a stranger among the recognized. This juxtaposition reflects the disorientation and alienation experienced by the narrator, who feels out of place and disconnected from their surroundings. The recurring question, 'What is this? Are you some kind of hypnotist?' serves as a refrain that encapsulates the central theme of the song: the bewildering and disempowering experience of being under someone's manipulative spell.