Coxcomb Red

Songs:Ohia's 'Coxcomb Red' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the intense emotions that accompany them. The song's lyrics are rich with vivid imagery and metaphors, creating a deeply emotional and evocative experience for the listener. The repeated references to 'coxcomb red' hair and 'viper black' eyes paint a striking picture of the subject, suggesting a person who is both alluring and dangerous. This duality is central to the song's theme, as it delves into the complexities of a passionate but ultimately painful relationship.

The lines 'I wanted that heat so bad / I could taste the fire on your breath' and 'I wanted in your storm so bad / I could taste the lightning on your breath' convey a longing for intense connection, even at the risk of getting burned. This desire for closeness, despite the potential for harm, speaks to the powerful pull of love and the willingness to endure pain for the sake of intimacy. The imagery of fire and lightning further emphasizes the intensity and danger of this relationship, suggesting that the passion between the two individuals is both electrifying and destructive.

The repeated motif of holding a bleeding son in one's arms adds a layer of tragedy to the song. This image can be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of innocence or the inevitable suffering that comes with deep emotional connections. The world growing pale next to the subject highlights their overwhelming presence and the way they overshadow everything else. The lines 'every love is your best love / and every love is your last love / and every kiss is a goodbye' underscore the transient nature of relationships and the bittersweet reality that each moment of love is tinged with the possibility of loss. This poignant reflection on the impermanence of love and the inevitability of goodbyes adds depth to the song's emotional impact.