4st. 7lbs.

Manic Street Preachers' song '4st. 7lbs.' is a harrowing exploration of anorexia and the devastating impact it has on both the body and mind. The lyrics paint a vivid and disturbing picture of a person caught in the throes of an eating disorder, teetering on the edge of life and death. The opening lines, 'I eat too much to die / And not enough to stay alive,' encapsulate the paradoxical existence of someone with anorexia, where the act of eating becomes a torturous balancing act between survival and self-destruction.

The song delves into the physical and psychological deterioration that accompanies severe anorexia. Descriptions like 'Cheeks sunken and despaired' and 'Stretching taut, cling-film on bone' highlight the extreme emaciation and the distorted self-perception that drives the sufferer to continue losing weight. The repeated desire to 'walk in the snow / And not leave a footprint' symbolizes a longing for invisibility and purity, reflecting the sufferer's wish to erase their physical presence and the perceived impurities of their body.

The lyrics also touch on the societal and familial pressures that exacerbate the condition. The lines 'Mother trys to choke me with roast beef / And sits savouring her sole Ryvitta' and 'That's the way you're built my father said / But I can change, my cocoon shedding' reveal the conflicting messages and lack of understanding from loved ones. The protagonist's struggle is further compounded by the glorification of thinness in society, as seen in the references to 'Twiggy' and the sarcastic applause for the 'discipline' of self-starvation. Ultimately, the song portrays anorexia as a tragic and isolating battle, where the sufferer finds a twisted sense of control and identity in their self-destructive behavior.