☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a protagonist expressing their anger and frustration towards the world by cursing.
- They curse various people and things, including men, children, words, machines, and ships.
- The protagonist feels alienated and has no control over their surroundings.
- The lyrics convey a negative and frustrated mood, in which the protagonist expresses their despair and anger.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Curses" by
Beck are about a protagonist who pronounces his curse on different people and things. He seems to be disappointed with the world and expresses his anger and frustration in the form of curses.
The lyrics begin with the singer sending curses to "countless men" and complaining that their offenses never end. He curses their swords and the streets they move on. It seems like he is searching for something specific, but has been unsuccessful so far.
He also curses the children who run around and do business while he himself rusts in the ground. He mentions that he might rise again to meet them when they leave this world. He also curses the valley he wanted to cross before he died. He wishes that all who found him become unhappy and marry a disgraced man.
The singer also curses every word spoken, the machines and ships that manipulate people, and the waves that reach evil shores. He even curses the sellers who knock on people's doors.
The protagonist also emphasizes that he is not an ordinary being. He doesn't feel belonging and has no control over his surroundings. He describes himself as nothing more than a bone floating in the air, without real influence on the things around him.
Overall, the song lyrics "Curses" by Beck express a negative and frustrated mood, in which the protagonist expresses his despair and anger towards the world around him by uttering curses.