The lyrics of "Contagious" by Guttermouth revolve around a toxic and unhealthy relationship. The song portrays the protagonist's experiences of being consumed and drained by their partner, who is portrayed as manipulative and selfish. In the chorus, the song describes the captivating nature of the partner's presence, comparing it to an infectious disease (mononucleosis) or a dangerous event (pit bull bite or staring at the sun). However, the attraction quickly fades away, leaving the protagonist feeling joyless and unfulfilled. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist may have been aware of the partner's manipulative nature but chose to endure it out of obsession and infatuation. The lines "Was this a test, a test to reinforce I was obsessed" indicate that the partner may have intentionally pushed boundaries to see how far the protagonist would tolerate their behavior. The lyrics also hint at the partner being financially exploitative, as they take the protagonist's money and lie about it. The protagonist tries to satisfy the partner's every need and desire, only to be drained emotionally and financially. The line "But then you go and bleed me til I'm dry" highlights the deep emotional and financial impact of the relationship. Overall, "Contagious" illustrates the destructive nature of a toxic relationship, where one person is drained physically, emotionally, and financially by their self-seeking partner.
