As Sick As The Secrets Within

Marilyn Manson's song "As Sick As The Secrets Within" delves into the haunting and often destructive nature of hidden truths and personal demons. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of internal struggle, where the protagonist grapples with the weight of their secrets. The opening lines, "This is no longer just my communion / The worms of the flesh have turned," suggest a transformation or corruption of something once sacred. The imagery of worms and cold blood evokes a sense of decay and loss of purity, setting a dark tone for the rest of the song.

The recurring line, "You're only as sick as the secrets within," serves as a central theme, emphasizing how internalized secrets can fester and lead to one's downfall. Manson explores the idea that these hidden aspects of ourselves can become monstrous, as seen in the lines, "It's not so evil as much as its hungry / I see these bodies and the bones picked clean." This metaphorical hunger represents an insatiable need that drives destructive behavior, further illustrated by the protagonist's descent into addiction: "A reason for me, for me to get by / Became a need, a need to get high."

The song also touches on the concept of entrapment and the difficulty of escaping one's own mind. The line, "I built this cage we've been trapped in together / Can't remember where I hid the keys," suggests self-imposed imprisonment and the loss of control over one's life. The repeated phrase, "There is a trick to get out of your skin," hints at the possibility of escape, but it remains elusive. The closing lines, "Keep sleeping, I'll make you dream of me," add a sinister layer, implying that these secrets and inner demons continue to haunt even in sleep, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.