Tigersuit
Raein
The Fragile Armor of a Tigersuit
Raein's song 'Tigersuit' delves into the raw and vulnerable emotions of someone grappling with feelings of inadequacy and inner turmoil. The opening line, 'These knives are softer than broken dreams,' sets a poignant tone, suggesting that the pain of unfulfilled aspirations is sharper and more cutting than any physical wound. The imagery of 'blood and tears on the floor' further emphasizes the depth of the protagonist's suffering, painting a picture of a person who is deeply wounded both emotionally and physically.
The line 'I can't remember a time when I was good at something' speaks to a profound sense of self-doubt and a lack of self-worth. This sentiment is compounded by the metaphor of the 'tigersuit,' which the protagonist wears to mask their true nature. By stating 'I wear this tigersuit 'cause I'm a fuckin' lamb,' the artist highlights the contrast between the fierce exterior they present to the world and the gentle, vulnerable person they feel they truly are inside. This duality reflects the struggle many people face in trying to reconcile their inner selves with the personas they adopt to protect themselves from further hurt.
The act of licking the 'blood and tears' off the floor and referring to them as 'daily bread' suggests a grim acceptance of pain as a constant in the protagonist's life. It implies that suffering has become so ingrained in their existence that it is now a source of sustenance, a bitter but familiar part of their daily routine. Raein's 'Tigersuit' is a haunting exploration of the ways in which people cope with their inner demons, using powerful metaphors and stark imagery to convey a sense of enduring struggle and resilience.