Tongues & Teeth

The Crane Wives' song 'Tongues & Teeth' delves into the complexities and darker aspects of love and relationships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is acutely aware of their own flaws and the potential harm they can cause to their partner. The opening lines, 'I've grown a mouth so sharp and cruel / It's all that I can give to you my dear,' set the tone for the entire song, suggesting that the narrator's words and actions are inevitably hurtful, despite any good intentions.

Throughout the song, the narrator repeatedly warns their partner about the inevitable pain and destruction that will come from being in a relationship with them. Lines like 'I will only break your pretty things / I will only wring you dry of everything' and 'I will poison all your happy thoughts' emphasize the self-awareness of the narrator's destructive tendencies. This self-awareness is coupled with a sense of resignation, as the narrator acknowledges their inability to change, stating, 'It's a habit, I can't help it.'

The song also touches on themes of unfulfilled expectations and the futility of trying to change someone. The narrator urges their partner to 'Abandon all your stupid dreams / About the girl I could have been,' highlighting the disparity between the partner's idealized version of the narrator and the harsh reality. The repeated refrain, 'I know that you mean so well / But I am not a vessel for your good intent,' underscores the futility of trying to mold someone into a better version of themselves when they are fundamentally flawed.

'Tongues & Teeth' is a poignant exploration of the darker side of love, where self-awareness and honesty about one's flaws take center stage. The song's raw and candid lyrics offer a stark reminder that love is not always about fairy tales and happy endings, but sometimes about accepting the harsh truths and the inevitable pain that comes with it.