Please Love Me, Please Hate Me

Sanguis Et Cinis's song "Please Love Me, Please Hate Me" delves into the tumultuous and emotionally draining dynamics of a toxic relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who has been manipulated and used, reduced to a mere puppet devoid of self-worth. The imagery of "smeared lipstick" and an "unsuitable smile" sets the tone for a narrative filled with pain and subjugation. The protagonist is caught in a cycle of being good enough for fleeting moments of passion but ultimately serving as a scapegoat for their partner's issues. This duality of being both desired and despised is a central theme, highlighting the emotional whiplash experienced in such relationships.

The chorus, with its plea to be loved when on their knees and hated when loved, encapsulates the desperate need for validation, even if it comes in the form of hatred. This paradoxical request underscores the protagonist's internal conflict and the extent of their emotional turmoil. The repeated line, "I'm crawling back to you," signifies a sense of inevitability and helplessness, as if the protagonist is trapped in an endless loop of returning to their abuser despite the pain inflicted.

The song also touches on themes of identity loss and self-degradation. The protagonist describes themselves as a "substitute god" and a "hollow hero," indicating a loss of self and a life lived in the shadows of their partner's whims. The lyrics speak to the experience of being pushed around, denied, and abused, ultimately becoming what the abuser wants them to be. This transformation is marked by a "broken impression" and an "unsuitable smile," further emphasizing the loss of true self. The protagonist's existence is likened to that of an "unconscious slave," highlighting the dehumanizing nature of the relationship.

The song's raw and poignant lyrics offer a window into the psyche of someone trapped in a toxic relationship, yearning for both love and hate as a means of feeling something, anything, from their partner. It's a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of such relationships and the profound impact they have on one's sense of self and worth.