The song "Sickfest" by Grinspoon discusses the theme of someone trying to manipulate and control the speaker's thoughts and emotions. The lyrics suggest that the person in question is attempting to project their own guilt and misery onto the speaker, but the speaker refuses to be influenced or affected by their negativity. The song starts with the assertion that the person's attempts to infiltrate the speaker's mind will not be successful. The speaker calls them out for always coming across as pathetic and unconvincing. Despite their efforts, guilt always finds this person hiding away, suggesting that they are haunted by their own actions or mistakes. The speaker, however, refuses to indulge in the same self-pity. The chorus implies that the speaker has the power to affect or break the person whenever they come face-to-face. The line "You make sick, I make you" suggests that the speaker is able to turn the person's negativity back onto them, causing them to feel sick or disturbed. These confrontations seem to occur repeatedly, with the speaker consistently asserting their dominance over the other person. The second verse introduces the names "Ben and Frank," possibly referring to specific individuals or symbolic representations. The line "bliss isn't what you prayed" implies that whatever these individuals desired or hoped for did not bring them happiness. The speaker demands that they never speak about anything important or relevant, dismissing their words as inconsequential. The bridge of the song emphasizes the speaker's power over the other person, using phrases like "breaking you down" and "your broken down" to further assert their dominance. The word "crave" at the end of this section suggests that the speaker is aware of the person's desire or need for attention and control but refuses to give in to their manipulation. Overall, "Sickfest" portrays a defiant individual who refuses to allow someone to infiltrate their mind or manipulate their emotions. The song suggests that the speaker holds the power in the relationship, repeatedly breaking down the other person's attempts to control them.
