Toxic Angel

Joseph Arthur's 'Toxic Angel' delves into the complex and often contradictory nature of love and relationships. The song opens with a vivid image of 'cold hearts' and a search for an 'angel' in a desolate place, suggesting a quest for purity or salvation in a world filled with emotional desolation. The angel, however, is not a typical savior but rather someone who brings both comfort and pain, embodying the duality of love as both a healing and a destructive force.

The lyrics explore the paradox of needing someone who simultaneously causes harm. The lines 'Like a mad dog barking over what you've done' and 'So strange that the one you need is the one you shun' highlight the internal conflict of being drawn to someone who is toxic. This duality is further emphasized in the chorus, where the singer questions their ability to stay grounded and stable in the face of such a tumultuous relationship. The repetition of 'Are you near?' underscores a sense of longing and uncertainty, reflecting the instability that comes with loving someone who is both a savior and a source of pain.

The imagery of dreams 'underneath the ground' and being 'kicked off of the merry-go-round' by a 'toxic stranger' paints a picture of lost hopes and the cyclical nature of toxic relationships. The song captures the feeling of being trapped in a loop of emotional highs and lows, where the very person who offers solace is also the one who inflicts pain. This complex portrayal of love and pain resonates deeply, making 'Toxic Angel' a poignant reflection on the paradoxical nature of human relationships.