Monster

Social Repose's song 'Monster' delves into the dark and disturbing themes of abuse, trauma, and the psychological aftermath of such experiences. The lyrics paint a vivid and haunting picture of a person grappling with the horrors inflicted upon them and the internal monsters that arise from such trauma. The repeated plea for love in the opening lines, 'Love me, love me, that's all I ask for,' sets the stage for a narrative of desperation and longing for affection, which is met with violence and pain instead.

The imagery in the song is stark and unsettling. The line 'He battered his tiny fists to feel something' suggests a sense of numbness and a desperate attempt to feel alive, even if through pain. The chorus, with its haunting question 'Monster, how should I feel?' reflects the confusion and self-loathing that often accompanies abuse. The 'creatures' looking through the window symbolize the ever-present memories and fears that haunt the victim.

The narrative takes a darker turn with the description of physical abuse: 'That night he caged her, bruised and broke her.' The vivid depiction of 'violet wrists and then her ankles' and 'silent pain' conveys the physical and emotional scars left behind. The line 'Then he slowly saw their nightmares were his dreams' suggests a twisted sense of satisfaction or fulfillment derived from the suffering of others, highlighting the abuser's monstrous nature.

The song's climax, with the lines 'Turn the sheets down, murder ears with pillow lace,' and 'bathtubs full of glow flies, bathe in kerosene,' uses surreal and grotesque imagery to depict the overwhelming and inescapable nature of the trauma. The final line, 'Their words tattooed in his veins,' signifies the lasting impact of the abuse, as the victim's pain becomes an indelible part of their identity. 'Monster' by Social Repose is a powerful and chilling exploration of the cycle of abuse and the enduring scars it leaves behind.