Katherine Wheel

Him's song 'Katherine Wheel' is a vivid portrayal of intense, almost destructive love. The title itself is a reference to the Catherine wheel, a type of firework that spins as it burns, symbolizing the burning passion and cyclical nature of the relationship described in the lyrics. The repeated phrase 'I'm burning for you' underscores the consuming nature of this love, suggesting a sense of both desire and pain intertwined.

The lyrics paint a picture of a love that is all-encompassing and overwhelming. Lines like 'Come on and break me a limb at a time' and 'Wrap me around your spokes so tight' evoke a sense of being trapped and yet willingly surrendering to this intense emotion. The imagery of spinning and blurring lines between 'you and I' suggests a loss of individual identity within the relationship, where the lovers become almost indistinguishable from one another.

The song also touches on themes of suffering and sacrifice. The plea 'Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams' indicates a willingness to endure pain for the sake of love. The line 'Holding hands won't be enough in a world giving head to a gun' juxtaposes the innocence of holding hands with the violence of a world at war, perhaps suggesting that love must be equally intense and consuming to survive in such a harsh reality. Ultimately, 'Katherine Wheel' is a powerful exploration of the duality of love and pain, and the way they can become inextricably linked in a passionate relationship.