MakeDamnSure

Taking Back Sunday's song 'MakeDamnSure' delves into the complexities of a tumultuous relationship, marked by intense emotions and a struggle for control. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that is both passionate and destructive. The opening lines, 'You've got this new head filled up with smoke / I got my veins all tangled close,' suggest a sense of confusion and entanglement, as if the relationship is clouded by misunderstandings and emotional chaos. The mention of 'jukebox bars' and 'the safest place to hide' hints at a desire to escape reality, perhaps through alcohol or other means, to cope with the intensity of their feelings.

The chorus, 'I just wanna break you down so badly / In the worst way,' reveals a darker side of love, where the desire to possess and control the other person becomes overwhelming. This sentiment is further emphasized by the repeated line, 'I'm gonna make damn sure / That you can't ever leave,' which underscores a fear of abandonment and a need to keep the partner close, even if it means causing them pain. The juxtaposition of wanting to be close yet maintaining a distance ('We lay, we lay together / Just not too close, too close') highlights the push-and-pull dynamic of the relationship.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of vulnerability and dependency. The lines 'You are everything I want / 'Cause you are everything I'm not' suggest a deep-seated insecurity and a longing to fill a void within oneself through the other person. The imagery of 'scissor shaped across the bed' and 'you hollow out my hungry eyes' conveys a sense of emptiness and longing that can never be fully satisfied. Ultimately, 'MakeDamnSure' captures the raw, unfiltered emotions of a relationship teetering on the edge, where love and control are inextricably intertwined.