My Obsession

The Rolling Stones' song 'My Obsession' delves into the complex and often unsettling nature of desire and possession. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an individual who is consumed by their obsession with another person, to the point where they view the other person's possessions as their own. This intense fixation is evident in lines like 'My obsessions are your possessions / Every piece that I can get,' suggesting a blurring of boundaries between the self and the object of desire. The repeated phrase 'My mouth is soaking wet' adds a visceral, almost primal element to the obsession, highlighting the physical and emotional intensity of the feeling.

The song also explores themes of power and control. The narrator's insistence that 'You'd be better off with me / And you'll know it when you lost it' implies a sense of superiority and inevitability. This is further emphasized by the line 'You can't dodge it, it's simple logic,' suggesting that the object of their obsession has no choice but to succumb. The narrator's desire for exclusive possession—'I want it just to be mine / Exclusively'—reveals a selfish and possessive nature, willing to disregard the feelings and autonomy of the other person.

Cultural and social dynamics are also at play in 'My Obsession.' The line 'You need teaching, you're a girl / There are things in this world / That need teaching with discretion' hints at a paternalistic attitude, where the narrator assumes a position of authority and control over the object of their desire. This dynamic is complicated by the revelation that the narrator could 'almost be your son,' adding layers of age and power imbalance to the relationship. The song's raw and candid exploration of these themes makes it a compelling study of the darker sides of human desire and obsession.