☝️ Key Points
- The song is about jealousy and envy in a relationship.
- The singer feels provoked and manipulated by their partner.
- They describe jealousy as an ugly monster that arises within them.
- The lyrics also show that the singer feels suppressed in the relationship.
- It is an expression of frustration and vulnerability in a complicated relationship situation.
Interpretation
The song "Circus Envy" by
R.E.M. is about a strong feeling of envy and jealousy that arises in the singer's relationship. The lyrics describe the feeling when the singer feels the jealousy rise within him like a monster. He feels provoked and manipulated by his partner.
The lyrics begin with the lines "Here comes that awful feeling again, Welcome the ugly animal." This shows that the singer has experienced these negative feelings before and perceives them as an ugly animal. He feels trapped in a relationship that holds him like a tightrope walker on a chain.
In the following lines, the singer describes how he observes his partner's actions and tries to stay cool: "I'm not afraid, I messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up." He tries to hide his insecurity even though he is internally plagued by jealousy.
The lyrics also express that the singer feels oppressed in the relationship. He describes himself as someone with a "telescope head in a haystack" who gets tired of his partner's actions.
The song ends with the question "Do you smell jealousy?" This shows the strong presence of jealousy in the relationship and its effects on the singer.
Overall, "Circus Envy" describes the intense emotion of jealousy and shows how it affects the relationship and tears the singer apart internally. It is an expression of frustration and vulnerability in a complicated relationship situation.