The song "War for the Crippled" by Grieves explores themes of struggle, pain, and self-destruction in relationships. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels broken and constantly at odds with their own emotions. The opening lines describe the narrator's state of mind, using vivid imagery of scaling razors and navigating dead spaces. They feel high and intoxicated, but also anxious and unable to fully follow the crowd. The mention of a bullseye tattooed on their breastplate implies vulnerability and being an easy target. The narrator seems to have a troubled past, as they mention breaking into tiny pieces and disappearing, allowing others to take their memories and make patterns out of them. They urge the listener to claim they will never think about them when asked, even if others don't trust them. This indicates a lack of self-worth and a fear of being forgotten or abandoned. The narrator then reflects on their relationship with the listener, acknowledging that the listener may not have truly needed them. They compare themselves to a tooth that was already through the listener's lip before they even began to care for them. This suggests a one-sided dynamic in the relationship, with the narrator feeling used and discarded. The song then shifts to self-destructive tendencies. The narrator pleads for a pause, a moment to stop and reflect on the pain that has shaped them. They ask the listener to let the broken record play, symbolizing the repeating patterns and destructive cycles they find themselves in. The reference to smelling the smoke from the pain emphasizes the lasting impact it has had on their life. The narrator admits to feeling danger when being with the listener, indicating a fear of further emotional harm. They question the true nature of happiness and sorrow, referencing the saying that "happiness is a warm gun" and "sorrow is a cold jagged blade." These lines suggest that both joy and pain can be destructive and harmful. As the song progresses, the narrator questions the listener about their actions and their impact. They feel hurt by the listener's eyes and wonder if they are mirrors reflecting their own flaws or windows offering insight into the listener's true self. The narrator also questions why the listener's hands are cold and whether it's their own skin or the listener's that feels cold. This imagery implies a lack of warmth, intimacy, and connection in the relationship. The narrator fears that their emotional vulnerability is leading to an aneurysm, suggesting that the strain of the relationship is causing them physical and mental distress. They mention the false sense of courage or confidence that comes with using substances and how it numbs their senses. Towards the end of the song, the narrator acknowledges their own simplicity and struggles to understand the complexities of their emotions. They express a concern about the impact and consequences of their choices, but also feel somewhat relieved and lighter about the inevitable outcome. Overall, "War for the Crippled" is a deeply introspective and dark exploration of the narrator's emotional turmoil, the unbalanced nature of their relationship, and the self-destructive tendencies that arise from their pain and insecurity.
